Pasture & Grass Hay Lease Spreadsheet Tool

by Michael Langemeier

Updated July 2025

This spreadsheet can be used alongside the article Leasing Pasture and Hay Ground to evaluate fair rental rates for pasture and hay ground. Users can enter custom values for stocking rates, hay yields, land quality, and local prices to calculate lease rates per acre. The tool includes options for both cash rent and share lease arrangements and provides clear examples to support decision-making for both landowners and tenants.

TAGS:

TEAM LINKS:

RELATED RESOURCES

2026 Cash Rents: Why Aren’t Rents Falling More?

September 10, 2026

Cash rents have softened in some parts of Indiana in 2026, but overall, rents remain relatively stable. So why aren’t they falling more, even after several years of weaker returns to land? Michael Langemeier and Todd Kuethe examine the latest cash rent results from the 2026 Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey and look at what the numbers could mean for 2027.

Comparing Net Returns for Alternative Leasing Arrangements

July 2, 2026

Leases on agricultural land are strongly influenced by local custom and tradition. However, in most areas, landowners and operators can choose from several types of lease arrangements: crop share, fixed cash rent, flexible cash leases. Each leasing arrangement has advantages and disadvantages. Rather than focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of various lease arrangements, this article uses a case farm in west central Indiana to illustrate net returns to land derived from crop share, fixed cash rent, and flexible cash lease arrangements.

Irrigated, Pasture & Hay Cash Rent Considerations

September 30, 2025

Jim Jansen from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins Michael Langemeier on this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast to discuss cash rent considerations for irrigation, pasture, and hay leases. They provide factors affecting cash rent including maintenance costs, insurance, and land productivity and emphasize the importance of clear lease agreements. Offering practical advice for both landlords and operators on fair rental agreements.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Weathering Water Extremes: Connecting Soil Health, Drainage, Irrigation, and Farm Resilience

Join educators from across the Midwest to build skills for communicating soil health concepts on Nov. 4-5, 2026. In the field, we’ll evaluate the relationship between soil health and water management focusing on irrigation and edge of field practices. The in-service will have both classroom and on farm demonstrations.

Land of Opportunity: A Conference for Farmland Owners!

The Land of Opportunity: A Conference for Farmland Owners will be held at two locations on October 5 and October 6, providing farmland owners with valuable information and resources to help them make informed decisions about their land. The conference will feature keynote presentations, educational breakout sessions, and networking opportunities designed specifically for those who own, manage, or have an interest in farmland.