By Shannon Sand
If you’re renting farmland in Nebraska, there are a few lease options to think about. A lot of folks still use a verbal or handshake agreement and that’s fine however it’s good to know what happens when it’s time to end one. For cropland, the Nebraska Supreme Court says the lease year starts on March first. If a landowner wants to end a year-to-year verbal cropland lease, they need to give notice six months ahead that means by September first. Most people recommend that people send notice by Registered Mail, so you’ve got proof it was received.
Pasture leases are a little simpler. They usually line up with the grazing season for about five or six months and most end automatically when the grazing’s done, unless there’s something different written in an agreement.
Even though handshake deals are common, putting it in writing is always the best route. A written lease keeps things clear, protects everyone involved, and helps avoid misunderstandings.
Want to learn more or see an example of a sample lease? Check out the Ag Lease 101 Document Library online.