Iowa farmer Steve Berger has been a practitioner of no-till farming for 40 years. (Gazette photo by Cliff Jette) |
A U.S. Department of Agriculture study found that in 2014, Iowa’s 105,194 landlords rented out 16.33 million acres—53.4 percent of the state’s farmland, Love writes. "About 21 percent of leased Iowa farmland is owned by nonresidents, and more than 43 percent is owned by trusts (23.9 percent), partnerships (14.4 percent) and corporations (5.3 percent)."
"Low commodity prices, slim profit margins and falling land rental rates—all prevalent in recent years—tend to lower conservation priorities for both landlords and tenants, said Sara Berges, a water quality coordinator for the Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District, which four years ago started a program to encourage landowners and tenants to develop conservation plans and incorporate them into lease agreements," Love writes.
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