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Landowners raising questions in 2024

A pair of extension specialists say many landowners are coming to them with questions in 2024. 

“The number one question that I think most of us get in our offices would be how much should cash rent be.”

Kevin Brooks, who specializes in farm business with the University of Illinois Extension, says several variables goes into the answer.

“It’s really hard to answer because there’s such a big difference between farms, not just geographically, but even within a local area the soils can be very different.”  He says, “This will be good information to learn how to evaluate your farm.”

Emily Hansen, commercial ag educator with U of I Extension, tells Brownfield conservation programs also raise a lot of questions.

“Conservation programs, CRP. That it’s confusing to do.”  She says, “On the land owner side, their farmer will come to them and say that they might want to put part of their ground in CRP and they don’t really know what that means.”

Both educators say landowners can utilize educational opportunities to become better versed in such topics, and having an open line of communication with their farmer is also beneficial.

They say these and many other topics will be addressed at the upcoming U of I Extension Farmland Owners Conference in Oglesby, IL on November 25th.

AUDIO: Kevin Brooks & Emily Hansen – University of Illinois Extension