Frequently Asked Questions on Pasture Leases
Do you have questions about leasing out your pasture? Are you not sure what to charge? Here are a few common questions you may have regarding pasture leasing in Kansas.
- Should I have a written lease?
A written lease is encouraged to spell out specific terms of the lease. While a written lease may help defuse some legal questions that could arise in a lease agreement, it is not a guarantee that it will solve all legal issues. Nevertheless, a written lease can be very valuable as it helps landlords and tenants document the terms of the lease. This is especially important as leases become more complicated and as tenants routinely rent from more landowners. The primary benefit of a written lease is that it forces both parties to identify issues that are relevant, and this increased communication can help avoid potential problems in the future.
- What is a “fair” cash rent for my pasture?
Cash rents for pasture will vary based on market conditions and characteristics of the land. The best source for cash rent values is the “going market rate” for similar land. The quantity and quality of the grass and the effective stocking rate, along with other features including fence, corrals, and water availability will all affect the value of the pasture. If current market rate information is not available from public or private sources, then pasture owners and tenants can use the KSU‐Graze.xls spreadsheet to estimate a cash rental rate for their specific situation based on historical market values, landowner costs, and/or livestock owner returns.
- Who is responsible for noxious weed control in pastures?
According to Kansas law it is the duty of landowners and tenants to control the spread of and to eradicate noxious weeds on lands owned or supervised by them. Thus, both the landowner and tenant are responsible for noxious weed control. However, if noxious weeds are not properly controlled, the county weed supervisor has the authority to spray them and charge the landowner for the service. Which party is responsible for noxious weed control is a point of negotiation between the landowner and the tenant just like any other terms of the lease. Based on survey responses, a common arrangement with regards to noxious weed control is that landowners typically provide the chemicals and the tenant is responsible for the application.
For more frequently asked questions on pasture leases in Kansas visit Frequently Asked Questions on Pasture Leases in Kansas | AgManager.info
by Amy Keigher, Natural Resources Agent