What is a Fair Farm Rental Agreement? workshop Nov. 20 in Slayton

“What is a Fair Farmland Rental?” is at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Murray County Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 3048 S. Broadway Ave., Slayton.

Farm land rental rates are the largest input cost the farmer has. Determining a fair farm rent agreement is a challenge in today’s economy with current low corn and soybeans prices in 2019. An ideal agreement would satisfy both the land owner and the farmer.

Audience: Landlords, farmers and agri-business professionals. Attendees will receive several informative worksheets and factsheets that will help to determine what a fair 2020 farm land rental rate is.

Speakers: David Bau and Nathan Hulinsky, Extension educators in ag business management.

Topics covered: Local historic and projected farmland rental rate trends.

Current farm land values and sales.

Examples of how to determine a fair farm land rental rate agreeable to both parties.

A worksheet that will help determine a fair rental agreement.

Input costs for 2019 will be presented along with current 2019 corn and soybean prices.

Worksheets will examine 2020 costs, affordable rent rates for farmers, the rate of return to the landlord at current market values and examine flexible rental agreements.

Farm and Woodlands course available

University of Minnesota Extension has developed the Farms and Woodlands course especially for landowners who want to get the most out of every acre of their land.

This comprehensive program teaches landowners a whole system approach to farm and woodland management. Learn how you can make your property more resilient.

After completing the Farms and Woodlands program, you will know your options for woodland management, know who to contact if you need assistance, and have a customized action plan to accomplish one project on your property.

Our hybrid approach to landowner education is the best of both worlds, allowing for flexibility while still occasionally getting your hands dirty: Twelve online, self-paced modules contain exercises and group discussions, so you can complete the work on your schedule while still contributing to group learning.

Three in-person field tours and two virtual meetings enhance your learning and provide an opportunity to meet with and learn from your neighbors.

Registration for this five-month course is $120, with reduced rates available. Visit the website to learn more and register at z.umn.edu/MWOFARMS. MASTER WOODLAND OWNER

This course is supported with funds from the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

Iowa high court to decide if farm pollution suit continues

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has decided to step into a legal battle between the state and environmental groups over whether enough is being done to keep hog manure and other farm pollutants from tainting rivers that provide central Iowans drinking water.

An order signed Monday by Justice Edward Mansfield halts all proceedings in a lawsuit filed in March by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch and orders attorneys to file documents within 14 days to begin the court’s review of the case.

Gov. Noem again says no to growing hemp in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Kristi Noem reiterated her opposition Tuesday to legalizing industrial hemp production in South Dakota, even in the face of new federal rules allowing the cash crop.

Hemp is seen as a possible boon by many farmers, but Noem said in a statement that legalizing it is akin to legalizing marijuana because it is difficult for law enforcement to distinguish between the two. But the governor also said South Dakota will allow the crop to be transported across the state in keeping with federal laws. The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week announced new regulations that allow farmers to grow hemp and ship it across state lines.

Vermont farm loses 2k chicken and turkeys in flooding

RICHMOND, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont farmer says he lost more than 2,000 chickens and turkeys when last week’s flood waters inundated their Richmond farm.

Bruce Hennessey, of Maple Wind Farm, said they had moved the animals to higher ground prior to the storm that began on Halloween night, but the amount of rain and flooding from the Winooski River was more than expected.