The National Agricultural Law Center
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Agricultural Leases



Overview

The agriculture sector relies heavily on leases to fulfill different needs. With absentee ownership of farmland growing in the United States, farmers and ranchers lease many of the acres they farm and graze today. Private parties can grant these leases of land, or in some cases state governments or the federal government may grant a "grazing permit" for a rancher to use public lands for grazing. Farmers or ranchers may also lease the equipment needed in their operations.   Read the full overview.

Note: Recently added resources are posted at the top of the applicable sections.

Major Statutes

Alaska Livestock Grazing Act, 43 U.S.C. §§ 316-316o
Leasing, Sale, or Surrender of Allotted or Unallotted Lands, 25 U.S.C. §§ 391-416j
Taylor Grazing Act, 43 U.S.C. §§ 315 - 315m, - 315n - 315r
Pierce Act, 43 U.S.C. §§ 315m-1 - 315m-4


Regulations

Leases and Permits; General Provisions, 25 C.F.R. §§ 162.100 - 162.113
Leases and Permits; Agricultural Leases, 25 C.F.R. §§ 162.200 - 162.256
Grazing Permits, 25 C.F.R. §§ 166.1 - 166.1001
Grazing Administration-Exclusive of Alaska, 43 C.F.R. §§ 4100.0-1 - 4190.1
Grazing Administration; Alaska; Livestock, 43 C.F.R. § 4200.1
Grazing Administration; Alaska; Reindeer, 43 C.F.R. §§ 4300.1 - 4300.90
Grazing Administration; Leases, 43 C.F.R. §§ 4600.0-2 - 4610.5
Federal Regulations Open for Comment
Federal Register Digest


Case Law

Case Law Index for Agricultural Leases


Center Research Publications

Wind Energy Leasing Handbook -- Workbook (Ferrell and R. Rumley)
Agricultural Contracting (R. Rumley)
Using Alternative Enterprises and Recreational Development to Bolster Farm Income -- Workbook (R. Rumley & Tullos)
Landowners' Legal Liability Concern - Webinar Presentation (R. Rumley)
Limiting Liability with Business Organizations - Webinar Presentation (R. Rumley)
Bull Leasing Contracts (R. Rumley)
Written Sugarcane Leases: Protecting the Interests of the Farmer and Landowner (R. Rumley & Thomas)
Agricultural Contracts and the Leasing of Land - PowerPoint Presentation (R. Rumley)


Congressional Research Service Reports

CRS Subject(s):
Public Lands


Agricultural Law Bibliography

Introduction   |   Keyword Search   |   Browse Categories

Legal publications on Agricultural Leases:
Leases, Landlord-Tenant
Public Lands


Reference Resources

Bureau of Land Management
History of Public Land Livestock Grazing
Livestock Grazing
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Grazing Fee Statistics
Land Values and Cash Rents
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Prescribed Grazing
U.S. Forest Service
Permitted Livestock Grazing


Publications
The Law of Wind: A Guide to Business and Legal Issues (Stoel Rives LLP 2009)
Farm Lease Calculator (U. of NE 2011)
Iowa Farm Leases - Legal Economic, and Tax Considerations (IA St. U. 2009)
Lease Alternatives for CRP Land (IA St. U. 2009)
Farm Lease Termination (U. of NE 2008)
Farmers' Guide to Wind Energy: Legal Issues in Farming the Wind (FLAG, Inc. 2007)
Negotiating Wind Energy Property Agreements (FLAG, Inc. 2007)
Cattle Lease Checklist (U. of NE 2006)
Improving Your Farm Lease Contract (IA St. U.2003)
Should I Lease or Buy? (MS St. U.2001)
Pasture Leases (Purdue U. 2000)
Managing Risk In and Through Agricultural Land Leases (U. of WY 1998)
Beef Cow Share Lease Arrangements (U. of AZ 1996)
Determining Pasture Rental Rates (ND St. U.1996)
Figuring Rent for Existing Farm Building (Purdue U. 1989)
A Legal Guide for Wisconsin Farmers(1988)
Your Cash Farm Lease (ERS 1961)
How Do You Negotiate an Equitable Crop-Share Lease? (U. of GA)
Factsheets on Agricultural Leases (SD St. U. Ext.)
Factsheets on Agricultural Leasing (OK St. U. Ext)
Farm Rental Fact Sheets (OH St. U. Ext)
Publications on Agricultural Leasing (U. of IL Ext)
Wind Lease Publications (wIndustry)
Publications on Agricultural Leasing (U. of MO Ext.)
Crop Share, Cash & Flexible Lease Software (MT St. U.1997)


Additional Resources
Using Alternative Enterprises to Bolster Farm Incomes, Part 1 - Webinar Presentation (Tullos)
Using Alternative Enterprises to Bolster Farm Incomes, Part 2 - Webinar Presentation (Tullos)
Building on the Business Concept and Incorporating the Wildlife Lease as Your Profit Tool - Webinar Presentation (Tullos)
Drafting the Alternative Enterprise Plan for Your Property: Committing to the Budding Business - Webinar Presentation (Tullos)
Agricultural Leases Posts (United States Agricultural & Food Law and Policy Blog)
The Farm Lease (W. VA U. Ext. Serv.)
Farm Leases and Rents (U. of CA - Small Farm Program)
Farm Management: Leasing
Grazing on Public Lands (NASDA)
New Mexico State Land Office
Public Lands Foundation
Whole Farm Decisions - Leasing (IA St. U.)







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