Cash Rents Methodology and Quality Measures

Cash Rents Methodology and Quality
Measures
ISSN: 2167-129X

Released August 5, 2022, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

Cash Rents Survey Methodology
Scope and Purpose: The Cash Rents Survey is conducted on annual basis. The survey obtains acres rented and cash
rental rates from a statistically representative sample of farmers and ranchers in the United States, excluding Alaska. This
survey provides the basis for estimates of the current year’s cash rents paid for irrigated cropland, non-irrigated cropland,
and permanent pastureland. Due to the scarcity of irrigated pastureland, estimates are not established for irrigated and
non-irrigated pastureland. State and county level cash rent estimates are published, in so far as they meet disclosure rules
and publication standards.
The cash rents estimates provide basic information needed by farmers to make decisions for both short-term and longterm agricultural production planning. These estimates may be used by individual producers in planning for their
agricultural operation or by Agricultural Extension Services or university staff in developing operating budgets for
agricultural operations in their locale.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) was directed through the
2008 Farm Bill as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2018 to collect cash rents data for use by the Farm Service Agency
(FSA) in program administration. The amended Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Section 2110, states, “The
Secretary (acting through the National Agricultural Statistics Service) shall, not less frequently than once every other year,
(amended in 2018 to annual) conduct a survey of per acre estimates of county average market dry land and irrigated cash
rental rates for cropland and pastureland in all counties or equivalent subdivisions within each state that have 20,000 acres
or more of cropland and pasture.”
Survey Timeline: The Cash Rents Survey data collection period begins in mid-February and ends in June. Data collection
is coordinated with other surveys being conducted during this period. National and state level cash rents estimates are
published in August for all states, excluding Alaska. County level cash rents estimates are also published in August.
Sampling: The target population for the cash rents estimate program is all farms and ranches with $1,000 or more in
agricultural sales (or potential sales) who rent land from others on a cash rent basis. The Cash Rent Survey sample is
selected from a list frame of farm and ranch operators maintained by NASS. NASS is constantly seeking qualifying
farming operations from outside sources to be added to the list. A profile, known as control data, of each operation is
maintained which indicates what the farm has historically produced and a general indication of size. This information
allows NASS to define sampling populations that are specific to each survey and employ advanced and more efficient
sample designs.
Samples for the Cash Rents Survey are drawn with a county level stratified design to produce state and county level
estimates. Large operations in each county are stratified into the census strata, where all are included in the sample. The
national sample size for the Cash Rents Survey is approximately 245,000.
Data Collection: All federal data collections require approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). NASS
must document the public need for the data, show the design applies sound statistical practice, ensure the data does not
already exist elsewhere, and show that the public is not excessively burdened. The Cash Rents questionnaires must display
an active OMB number that gives NASS the authority to conduct the survey, a statement of the purpose of the survey and
the use of the data being collected, a response burden statement that gives an estimate of the time required to complete the

form, a confidentiality statement that the respondent’s information will be protected from disclosure, and a statement that
response to the survey is voluntary and not required by law.
Data collection for the Cash Rents Survey is mainly conducted by mail and telephone. The initial mail-out occurs in midFebruary followed by a second mailing in early April. A third mailing targeting low response counties was completed
May 20. A letter is enclosed with the questionnaire for the respondent to complete and return by mail. The questionnaire
can also be completed securely online. Non-response phone follow-up is conducted using Computer Assisted Telephone
Interviews at Data Collection Centers from April to July.
Survey Edit: As survey data are collected and captured, they are edited for consistency and reasonableness using
automated systems. The edit logic ensures administrative coding follows the methodological rules associated with the
survey design. Relationships between data items on the current survey are verified and, in certain situations, items are
compared to data from earlier surveys to make sure certain relationships are logical. The edit determines the status of each
record to be either “dirty” or “clean” (i.e., failing or passing the edit requirements for consistency and reasonableness).
Dirty records must be updated and re-edited or certified by an analyst to be accurate. Corrected data are re-edited
interactively. Only clean records are eligible for analysis tools and summary.
Analysis Tools: Edited survey records are processed and analyzed with interactive data analysis tools which display data
for all reports by item. The tools provide scatter plots, tables, charts, and special tabulations that allow the analyst to
compare record level data with previously reported data for the same record and reported data from similar records.
Atypical responses and unusual data relationships are revealed by the analysis tool. RFO and Headquarters (HQ) staff
review such relationships to determine if they are correct. Data found to be in error are corrected, while accepted data are
retained.
Nonsampling Errors: Nonsampling errors are present in any survey process. These errors include reporting, recording,
editing, and imputation errors. Steps are taken to minimize the impact of these errors, such as questionnaire testing,
comprehensive interviewer training, validation and verification of processing systems, application of detailed computer
edits, and evaluation of the data via the analysis tool.
Nonresponse Adjustment: Response to the Cash Rents Survey is voluntary. Some producers refuse to participate in the
survey, others cannot be located during the data collection period, and some submit incomplete reports. These
nonrespondents must be accounted for if accurate estimates of cash rental rates are to be made. Nonresponse adjustments
are made through reweighting techniques applied to the data from reporting farms and ranches.
Estimators: The Cash Rents Survey uses a “reweighted” estimator to compute direct measures of acres rented for cash.
Each farm and ranch in the sample has an initial sampling weight. This is the inverse of the sampling fraction. For
example, if a stratum has 1,000 farms in the population and 200 are sampled for this survey, each sampled farm has a
weight of five. In other words, each sampled farm represents five farms. The reweighted estimator uses a global weight
adjustment across all usable reports. Using the previous example, if 180 of the original 200 respond, the weights of the
180 will be adjusted to 1,000 divided by 180, or 5.56.
Point estimates, called direct expansions, are calculated by multiplying the reported value by the nonresponse -adjusted
weight and summing to a stratum total. A variance estimate is also computed at the stratum level. Totals and variances are
additive across strata to form a state estimate and states are additive to national estimates.
Ratio estimates are also computed for many items. For example, cash rent per acre values are calculated as the ratio of
total rent paid to total acres rented. Ratio indications use the reweighted estimator described above for the numerator and
denominator direct expansions. Both the numerator and denominator must be usable in order for that record to be used in
the ratio estimator.
Outliers: NASS conducts a review of outliers found in cash rents data by reviewing rental rates for all records by practice
(irrigated cropland, non-irrigated cropland, or permanent pastureland). RFO and HQ staff work together to review outliers
and to ensure the most accurate data possible. A determination is made as to whether an adjustment to the cash rental rate

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Cash Rents Methodology and Quality Measures (August 2022)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

estimate is required. Most outliers trace back to unique situations that do not exist in the target population as much as the
survey weight would indicate.
Estimation: When all samples are accounted for, all responses fully edited, and the analysis material reviewed, each RFO
executes summaries that generate state and county level totals and ratios. The summary results provide multiple point and
ratio estimates and information used to assess the performance of the survey and evaluate the quality of the survey
estimates. RFOs are responsible for performing a detailed review of their survey data, interpreting the Cash Rent Survey
indications, and submitting state level estimate recommendations to HQ. Staff must provide justification to the
Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB) in cases where recommendations deviate from survey results. The ASB reviews all
state and county level recommendations and establishes official estimates.
Beginning with the 2022 estimate year, model-based state-level estimates were incorporated into the NASS cash rental
rates process. Bayesian small area models for state-level rented acre totals and rental rates were fit separately for irrigated
cropland, non-irrigated cropland, and permanent pastureland. The rented acreage model uses current year survey
expansions and standard errors, and previous official statistics as input. Rental rate model incorporates current and
previous year survey ratios, the corresponding sampling variances, previous official statistics, percentage of farmland by
land types based on Census of Agriculture, population density, and the number of reports obtained at state level Model
based and corresponding standard deviations were calculated as posterior means and posterior standard deviations,
respectively. The coefficients of variation were calculated as the variation were calculated as the ratios of standard
deviations and corresponding estimates multiplied by 100.
Beginning with the 2021 estimate year, model-based county-level estimates were incorporated into the NASS estimation
process for county-level rates. Bayesian small area models for county-level rented acre totals and rental rates were fit
separately for each practice and processed in batches; common methodologies were applied nationwide. The rented
acreage models input current year survey expansions and standard errors and previous year official statistics. Rental rate
models input current and previous year survey ratios and standard errors, previous official statistics, a National
Commodity Crop Productivity Index variable, and the number of reports obtained. Model based estimates and
corresponding standard deviations were calculated as posterior means and posterior standard deviations, respectively.
These county-level estimates were benchmarked against state-level official estimates established by the ASB. For countylevel ratios, coefficients of variation were calculated as ratios of standard deviations and corresponding estimates
multiplied by 100.
Model-Based Coefficients of Variation (CVs):
For county-level ratios, coefficients of variation were calculated as ratios of model-based standard deviations and
corresponding point estimates multiplied by 100. Nationwide, NASS published 2,418 county-level non-irrigated cash
rental rates estimates including other counties. The 25 th, 50th, and 75th percentiles for reported coefficients of variation
were 3.2%, 4.7%, and 7.1%, respectively. For irrigated cropland, 697 county-level cash rental rate estimates including
other counties were published. The 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles for reported coefficients of variation were 3.2%, 6.1%,
and 8.9%, respectively. For pasture cropland, 1,936 county-level cash rental rate estimates including other counties were
published. The 25 th, 50th, and 75th percentiles for reported coefficients of variation were 4.7%, 6.5%, and 9.7%,
respectively.
Quality Metrics for the Cash Rents Survey
Purpose and Definitions: Under the guidance of the Statistical Policy Office of the OMB, NASS provides data users
with quality metrics for its published data series. The metrics tables in this document describe the performance data for
the survey contributing to the publication. The accuracy of data products may be evaluated through sampling and
nonsampling error. The measurement of error due to sampling in the current period is evaluated by the coefficient of
variation for each estimated item. Nonsampling error is evaluated by response rates.
Sample size is the number of observations selected from the population to represent a characteristic of the population.
Response rate is the proportion of the sample that responded to the survey.

Cash Rents Methodology and Quality Measures (August 2022)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

3

Coefficient of variation provides a measure of the size for the standard error relative to the point estimate and is used to
measure the precision of the results of a survey estimator.

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Cash Rents Quality Measures – States and United States: 2022
Region and State

Sample size

Response rate

(number)

(percent)

Coefficient of variation
Irrigated cropland

Non-irrigated cropland

Pastureland

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Northeast
Connecticut .........
Delaware .............
Maine ..................
Maryland .............
Massachusetts ...
New Hampshire ..
New Jersey .........
New York ............
Pennsylvania ......
Rhode Island ......
Vermont ..............

468
295
736
1,687
768
325
969
3,978
4,967
132
862

52.8
41.0
53.4
44.5
53.4
59.0
54.2
47.3
44.9
46.6
61.7

(NA)
6.0
(NA)
5.0
4.6
(NA)
5.2
7.6
5.8
(NA)
(NA)

5.8
3.4
10.0
3.0
5.7
8.5
6.6
5.1
3.0
(NA)
6.9

(NA)
(NA)
(NA)
3.9
(NA)
(NA)
(NA)
6.4
4.2
(NA)
(NA)

Lake
Michigan .............
Minnesota ...........
Wisconsin ...........

5,112
8,288
6,374

53.9
42.9
49.3

4.4
4.2
4.0

2.0
1.4
2.1

5.3
3.3
4.7

Corn Belt
Illinois ..................
Indiana ................
Iowa .....................
Missouri ...............
Ohio .....................

8,721
6,995
11,265
11,553
6,743

49.0
45.7
45.6
47.7
46.7

2.8
2.1
2.6
2.7
5.1

1.0
1.0
0.6
1.7
1.5

1.8
3.5
1.3
1.7
4.3

Northern Plains
Kansas ................
Nebraska ............
North Dakota ......
South Dakota ......

11,323
11,186
5,845
7,303

45.6
48.7
42.3
49.0

3.9
1.4
3.9
2.4

1.8
1.4
2.1
1.1

1.4
2.7
2.1
3.7

Appalachian
Kentucky .............
North Carolina ....
Tennessee ..........
Virginia ................
West Virginia ......

7,749
7,255
7,609
6,076
2,020

60.2
49.5
55.5
54.5
55.0

4.0
2.9
2.6
5.9
(NA)

1.4
1.8
2.3
2.2
7.0

2.1
3.0
1.8
2.6
4.2

See footnote(s) at end of table.

Cash Rents Methodology and Quality Measures (August 2022)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

--continued

5

Cash Rents Quality Measures – States and United States: 2022 (continued)
Region and State

Sample size

Response rate

(number)

(percent)

Coefficient of variation
Irrigated cropland

Non-irrigated cropland

Pastureland

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Southeast
Alabama ..............
Florida .................
Georgia ...............
South Carolina ....

5,349
3,457
6,656
2,640

49.5
45.2
43.2
52.2

5.3
4.3
1.9
4.9

3.3
6.5
2.2
2.5

2.6
5.1
3.6
4.0

Delta
Arkansas .............
Louisiana .............
Mississippi ...........

5,895
3,671
4,847

58.0
57.3
53.5

2.3
2.1
1.6

5.4
2.5
2.9

2.0
3.3
3.6

Southern Plains
Oklahoma ............
Texas ...................

8,151
21,461

62.0
54.1

8.6
7.4

1.8
2.3

2.1
5.2

Mountain
Arizona ................
Colorado ..............
Idaho ...................
Montana ..............
Nevada ................
New Mexico ........
Utah .....................
Wyoming .............

983
5,014
3,698
5,874
508
2,586
2,558
2,284

53.6
49.7
52.6
47.9
50.6
50.4
55.4
52.2

4.1
4.4
3.1
5.7
5.6
7.1
6.3
8.9

(NA)
3.2
4.0
2.9
(NA)
9.4
6.3
9.4

13.3
3.2
7.2
2.6
15.2
6.1
12.2
9.1

Pacific
California .............
Hawaii ..................
Oregon ................
Washington .........

5,461
511
3,733
3,383

51.0
52.6
53.4
50.5

3.4
5.4
4.7
3.8

17.6
5.0
3.9
4.3

9.2
25.7
9.6
11.3

United States ..........

245,324

50.3

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA) Not available.

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Cash Rents Methodology and Quality Measures (August 2022)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

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