For the third straight year, cash rent prices for Iowa farmland has declined. After 15 years, from 1998 through 2013, of the prices steadily increasing each year, 2014 through 2016 have instead seen the prices drop. The current statewide average is $230 per acre, marking a decrease from last year’s average of $246. Washington County came in slightly above the statewide average at $239 per acre, which also made it the highest price among the District 9 counties. District 9 as a whole had an average cash rent price of $203 per acre, down from last year’s average of $217.

While the drop is good news for farmers, costs will still be tight across the state, as crop prices are declining at a steeper rate. Statistics compiled at Iowa State University show that crop prices have dropped by 50 to 60 percent over the last three years, while cash rent prices have only declined by 15 percent over the same time. As such, it may still be difficult for farmers with cash rented acres to turn a profit.

2016 Cash Rent Prices for Surrounding Counties
Washington: $239
Henry: $213
Jefferson & Van Buren: $169
Keokuk: $221
Louisa: $193
Iowa: $229
Johnson: $219