Thinking about selling your farmland this fall? Add lease termination to your checklist—because in Iowa, most farm leases automatically renew unless one party serves written notice on or before September 1. Miss that date and you’re likely stuck with the lease (and the tenant) for another crop year.
Iowa’s Automatic Renewal Rule—In Plain English
Iowa Code §562.6 says a farm lease rolls over for the next crop year on the same terms unless either party gives proper written notice by Sept. 1. That applies to oral and written leases, one‑year and multi‑year alike.
Key date: Serve notice by September 1 to end the tenancy on March 1 of the following year (the statutory termination date for farm tenancies in Iowa).
How You Must Serve the Notice
Iowa Code §562.7 lays out three acceptable methods. The simplest (and most common) is certified mail—and service is considered complete once it’s dropped in the mailbox with proper postage. Courts enforce this strictly; get the address and mailing method right.
Acceptable service options:
- Personal delivery (hand it to the other party and get proof)
- Certified mail (postmarked before Sept. 1)
- Process server (like serving a lawsuit)Grab a sample termination form from Iowa State University Extension here: AgDM C2-19 Notice of Termination of Farm Tenancy (PDF).
The March 1 Termination Date—Why It Matters
By law, the notice must set the lease to end on March 1. That lines up with Iowa’s traditional crop year and helps avoid disputes over inputs, fall tillage, or spring planting plans.
Selling This Fall? Terminate First, Market Second
If you plan to list or auction the farm after harvest, make sure you (or your attorney/agent) have served termination properly. Otherwise, buyers inherit the tenant and lease terms—often shrinking your pool of bidders or lowering offers.
Why terminating early helps your sale:
- Clean possession date: Buyers know they can farm it themselves (or choose their tenant) on March 1.
- More competition: Owner‑operators and investors who want control will bid stronger.
- Fewer contingencies: Eliminating a lingering lease removes a negotiation hurdle.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Stay Compliant and On Time
1. Confirm the lease type & acreage. Written? Oral? Over or under 40 acres? Animal feeding operation?
2. Calendar the deadline. Aim to send by mid‑August, not August 31. Mail delays aren’t a defense.
3. Use the right form. Customize the ISU Extension template and clearly state March 1 as the termination date.
4. Serve it correctly. Certified mail with return receipt (or personal service) and keep copies of everything.
5. Document, document, document. Keep proof of mailing, receipts, and a copy of the notice in your records.
6. Talk to your attorney or trusted advisor. A 10‑minute review can save a year of headaches.
Final Word (and Friendly Nudge)
Lease termination isn’t glamorous, but it’s a high‑stakes box to check. If you’re eyeing a fall sale or restructuring your operation for 2026, don’t wait—serve notice, document it, and move forward with confidence. Need help aligning lease termination with a fall auction or private sale strategy? Whitaker Marketing Group can walk you through timing, tenant conversations, and marketing—so you don’t leave money (or control) on the table.
515-996-5263 |✉️info@wmgauction.com
Iowa farm leases renew automatically unless ended by September 1. Whitaker Marketing Group reminds landowners to serve notice early to protect 2026 sale plans.
