Every year the USDA National Ag Statistics Service releases county level data for cash rental rates for irrigated cropland, non-irrigated cropland, and pastureland. Results of the NASS survey are available in map form (see figures 1, 2, and 3 below) or table format. The rates are based on survey data collected from Colorado agricultural producers from March through June. These rates represent an average of all rates reported for a county, including both recently negotiated rents, and rents that have not been updated. Therefore, these rental rates will not always represent the current market rate.
Map Development
All values are measured and reported in dollars per acre. The colors on each map indicate different price ranges for cash rental rates paid. Counties shaded in white were those that were unpublished for the year. Aggregate data per region is available for those counties with an unpublished rate on the NASS Quick Stats database. If your county is unpublished, it may be published in a previous year’s report. The rate growers are willing to pay in rent is related to the land’s income-earning potential. If commodity or livestock prices drop, rental rates tend to drop, also.
Summary of Values
The highest cash rent paid in Colorado for irrigated cropland was in Yuma County at $262.00 per acre; the lowest cash rent paid was in Park County at $32.00 per acre. See Figure 1 for all cash rental rates paid for irrigated cropland per Colorado county.
The range of cash rents paid for non-irrigated cropland was $49.00 per acre in Boulder County and $12.50 per acre in Rio Blanco County. See Figure 2 for non-irrigated cropland cash rental rates paid per county in Colorado.
The highest cash rent paid for pastureland was in Rio Grande County at $21.50 per acre, while the lowest cash rent paid was in Park County at $1.50 per acre. See Figure 3 for all cash rent paid for pastureland in Colorado by county.
