By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Cash rent rates in Texas increased for pastureland and irrigated cropland, according to the new rental rates report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Each year, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts a nationwide survey to gather data and compile a report showing the average cash rental rates across the U.S.

Pastureland
The statewide average for pastureland was $8.50 per acre, which is up from $7.70 last year.

Ranchers in Falls County paid the most to rent pastureland at an average of $24.50 per acre.

Several counties have cash rent rates ranging from $20 to $23 per acre:

  • Red River County – $23/acre
  • Lamar County – $22.50/acre
  • Matagorda County – $22.50/acre
  • Cherokee County – $22/acre
  • Delta County – $22/acre
  • Willacy County – $22/acre
  • Rains County – $21.50/acre
  • McLennan County – $20.50/acre
  • Wharton County – $20.50/acre
  • Bell County – $20/acre

The report shows ranchers pay the least to rent pasture, at $2.20 per acre, in Brewster County.

Irrigated cropland
The statewide average paid to rent irrigated cropland rose to $113 per acre, up from $112 last year.

The highest average reported lease rates were in Sherman County at $210 per acre and Hartley County at $199 per acre.

The lowest reported rates for irrigated cropland came from Chambers County at $41.50 and Jefferson County at $44 per acre.

Dryland cropland
The average cash rent rate for non-irrigated cropland in Texas is $31 per acre, which is the same rate from last year.

Farmers in Sterling County paid the least for non-irrigated cropland. The average was $5 per acre.

Farmers in the following counties pay an average of $50 per acre or higher for dryland:

  • Lynn County – $50.00/acre
  • Zapata County – $50.00/acre
  • Calhoun County – $50.50/acre
  • Cameron County – $53.50/acre
  • Hidalgo County – $53.50/acre
  • Dawson County – $54.50/acre
  • Jackson County – $54.50/acre
  • Matagorda County – $67.00/acre
  • Willacy County – $69.50/acre
  • Nueces County – $74.50/acre

In San Patricio County, farmers paid an average of $89 per acre, which is the highest in the state, according to the USDA report.

More information
USDA NASS conducts the county-level cash rents survey annually in all states except Alaska.

The 2023 report was released Aug. 25.

The survey targets all farms and ranches that have historically rented land on a cash basis for pasture, irrigated cropland and non-irrigated cropland. Land rented for a share of the crop, on a fee per head, per pound of gain, by animal unit month, rented free of charge, or land that includes buildings such as barns are excluded from the survey.

Click here to view the report.