For the second year in a row, USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is publishing county-level data on cash rental rates for agricultural land.

The information, which is available online, includes average rental rates for non-irrigated cropland, irrigated cropland, and pastureland for the 2009 calendar year.

"These data will provide an important decision-making tool for farmers, ranchers and other landowners," says Joseph Parsons, director of the NASS Nebraska field office. "In addition, USDA agencies will have these new data available to help develop and administer important farm programs used by farmers and ranchers."

Since 1997, NASS has published rental rates at the state level. The agency is providing the county data in response to requests from customers as well as the new requirements of the 2008 Farm Bill.

"In many counties, we have received enough survey responses to publish reliable county-level estimates. In areas where cash rental arrangements are less common, the estimated rental values are combined with those of neighboring counties and district estimates published."

The 2009 county-level cash rental rates data are available online at www.nass.usda.gov through Quick Stats, NASS's agricultural statistics database. Maps of Nebraska cash rents by county and district can be found at:

http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Nebraska/Charts_and_Maps/index.asp