Is there a season for buying cropland?

While cropland is bought and sold all year long the greatest amount of activity and the easiest time to arrange contracts is between harvest and planting season. After the harvest, and before the next planting season, roughly November to March is when most farmers and sellers like to make their plans for the next season.

The closer we get to March the more commitments have already been made regarding rental contracts for the upcoming season, and both buyers and sellers have to start getting more involved in planning for Spring planting than for buying or selling any more land. They have to make decisions about buying new equipment, purchasing seed, fertilizers and chemicals. So the further in advance of the next planting season they can do that the better.

In both Kansas and Missouri verbal contracts legally extend for another year unless written confirmation is provided to change the terms of the agreement 30 days prior to March 1. So a new buyer of cropland may find themselves unable to negotiate a new rental agreement until after this years harvest is complete.

Buying cropland that is currently planted also means that the results of this years income will have to be negotiated as part of the purchase contract. If it's a cash rental how much of that will go to the new buyer? If it's a share crop contract how will the crop be split between the new buyer and the original seller? None of these are deal killers and those types of negotiations happen every day. But normally all of that is avoided if cropland changes hand between November and March.

If you haven't attended one of our seminars we still have one more scheduled next week in Lee's Summit on the 8th of February. We are also willing to provide a seminar at your convenience. If you have a group of investors, or even just want to discuss this with us individually we can schedule a time and location convenient for you.

If we can help you purchase cropland please let us know. If you've attended one of our seminars you know that we have an extensive list of available properties and the ability to find property that is both on the market and that is not currently advertised anywhere. If you are interestead in purchasing cropland We can assist you with negotiations and make sure that the price you pay, and the rent you receive is at least at current market levels if not better. Please call us at 816-899-2330 in Missouri, 913-837-4665 in Kansas or email us at info@RuralKC.com.