North Dakota pastureland values increase in 2023

North Dakota pastureland values were up 17.1% from 2022 to 2023 while pastureland rents were up 7.1% during the same time, says Bryon Parman, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension agricultural finance specialist.

Data for pastureland rents and values are from the North Dakota County Rents and Prices Annual Survey, found online at https://www.land.nd.gov/resources/northdakota-county-rents-prices-annual-survey, and then put into weighted averages and NDSU Extension regions. The northern Red River Valley, southern Red River Valley and northeastern regions of North Dakota are excluded from the analysis due to low numbers of pastureland sales and rents as well as low livestock numbers.

“Of the more prominent livestock regions in North Dakota, the southeastern region had the costliest pastureland at $1,910 per acre, up 23.3% from a year ago, which was the largest gain,” says Parman. “However, while the southeastern region had the largest increase, all areas were up over 13% as far as pastureland values.”

The smallest increase was the north-central region up 13.9% from $890 per acre to $1,014 per acre. The other NDSU Extension regions saw increases between 14.9% and 17%.

Rents for pastureland were up as well.

“Pastureland rents are low in terms of dollars per acre compared to cropland values, so a $1 or $2 per acre change in the data can have a significant impact on the percentage changes, such as the northwestern region, which went from $10 per acre to $12 per acre,” explains Parman. “Therefore, the percentage changes in rental rates should be viewed with caution. However, the fact that pasture rents were up across the board and accompany a large increase in pastureland values, it is a justified conclusion that pastureland rents are increasing in North Dakota.”

The costliest rents in the state tends to be in the southeastern region at $34 per acre where stocking rates are a bit more dense, with the least costly being in the northwestern region where stocking rates tend to be lower.

The 17.1% increase in pastureland values is the largest single year increase in more than a decade. This increase is larger than that of 2014 and 2015 when feeder cattle prices hit record highs. Though cattle prices have been relatively strong over the last year or two, it has come with high feed costs as feed grain commodity prices have remained high.

“High feed costs may be partially driving pastureland prices as producers search for alternatives to buying feed for livestock, hoping instead to use grass as an alternative,” concludes Parman.

First cutting alfalfa

By Todd Whitney, UNL

Since our 2023 accumulated growing degree days have pegged 650 GDD’s, now is the time to harvest your first cutting alfalfa. Moving forward, if the first cutting is delayed after one-tenth bloom or later; then, potential alfalfa regrowth will be removed with the first cutting; thus, delaying the next hay crop. This cutting timing strategy provides a compromise between maximizing forage production versus retaining nutritional quality which declines as alfalfa stems mature.

In fields, where irrigation has not been an option, lack of soil moisture will likely result in disappointing first cutting forage yields. In addition to drought, insect damage may have caused premature leaf loss; thus, requiring early cutting before alfalfa crown regrowth or one-tenth bloom to salvage what remains.

For other parts of the state, recent rainfall and warm weather may have stimulated rapid alfalfa growth; this means those needing dairy quality forage may need to cut hay soon. First cutting alfalfa hay quality declines quicker compared to the second, third, or fourth cuttings.

For those wanting to maximize quantity and replenish hay reserves, delaying harvest just a little longer until almost full bloom will likely result in higher yields. Alfalfa will be more efficient using available soil moisture if cutting is delayed until bloom but likely reduce total season cuttings. If your operation needs more roughage tonnage, delaying cutting for higher yield and lower quality is better. However, if higher protein content is needed, then earlier cutting will produce a higher quality hay. Remember, though, that continually cutting alfalfa at the early pre-bud stage will weaken plants and potentially increase weedy conditions.

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