Land Sales Bulletin

More Than 2,400 Acres of Illinois Farmland Head to Auction in February 2026

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthJanuary 29, 2026

Our Midwest reporting state of Illinois is gearing up for a busy February, with more than 2,400 acres of farmland scheduled for auction across 11 counties. The listings range from small 28‑acre tracts to a major 600‑acre Centennial Farm offering in Christian County, reflecting a diverse mix of high‑productivity cropland, recreational parcels, and homestead‑plus‑farmland combinations. Our trusted land sales data can help demonstrate patterns emerging in Illinois’ land sales and throughout the Midwest. Find key auction highlights and more from Successful Farming: More Than 2,400 Acres of Illinois Farmland Head to Auction in February 2026

Midwest Farmland Surveys Report Minor Price Changes – Hertz Farm Management

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthJanuary 28, 2026

Recent Hertz blog post titled “Midwest Farmland Surveys Report Minor Price Changes” reports that our Midwest reporting states’ farmland values are currently experiencing a “sideways trend” as of early 2026. Find key findings covering the 7th, 9th, and 10th Federal Reporting Districts. Key highlights for our reporting states include:

  • Chicago Federal Reserve District: Reported a 3% average gain in land values compared to 2024, with values remaining unchanged between the second and third quarters of 2025.
  • Illinois and Iowa: Northern Illinois saw a 4% year-over-year gain for “good” farmland, while Iowa’s average for similar land fell by 1%.
  • Iowa State University Survey: Affirmed the trend with a reported slight 0.7% average increase in farmland values across the state.
  • Nebraska: Values declined by 2% in 2025, though this follows three consecutive years of increases and a record-setting price peak in 2024.
https://www.hertz.ag/blog/detail/midwest-farmland-surveys-report-minor-price-changes

Iowa Farm Sells for $1.54 Million With One Condition

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthJanuary 27, 2026

Our Midwest reporting state of Iowa continues to make the headlines, this time with a unique farmland sale that blends market strength with human interest. A 93‑year‑old landowner sold her 80‑acre farm for $1.54 million, but with one important condition: she retains the right to live on the property for the rest of her life.

The buyer accepted the life‑estate arrangement, reflecting both the continued demand for Iowa farmland and the flexibility some buyers are willing to show to secure high‑quality acres. The sale underscores the ongoing competitiveness of the state’s land market, where strong local demand and limited supply continue to drive notable transactions — often with personal stories behind them. Learn more from Successful Farming – Iowa Farm Sells for $1.54 Million With One Condition: 93-Year-Old Owner Gets to Stay for Life

Ag Industry expert breaks down who is buying Iowa Farmland

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthJanuary 26, 2026

Jim Knuth, longtime Land Investment Expo mainstay and Senior Vice President of Lending at Farm Credit Services of America, delivered his Iowa land value outlook to a packed audience of farmers, investors, and agribusiness leaders on Jan. 13, 2026 at the Peoples Co Land Investment Expo. Learn more on why our Midwest reporting state of Iowa’s land market is steady, resilient, and still outperforming expectations heading into 2026. Successful Farming – Who Is Buying Iowa Farmland? A Pie Chart and Ag Industry Expert Break It Down

Midwest Farmland Values Hold Steady in an “Uncomfortable but Not Painful” Farm Economy

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthJanuary 22, 2026

Our Midwest reporting states’ farmland values remain surprisingly steady—even as the farm economy feels “uncomfortable.” Tight margins, reduced input spending, and rising retirements haven’t translated into weaker land prices.

Hertz Real Estate Services reports that strong livestock profits, limited land supply, and continued farmer buying are keeping the market firm. The result? A land market that’s steady, resilient, and far from “painful.” Read more from Hertz Farm Management:  Midwest Farmland Values Hold Steady Despite “Uncomfortable” Farm Economy, Input Cuts, and Tight Margins

Who’s buying 70% of Iowa farmland?

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthJanuary 21, 2026

Our Midwest reporting state of Iowa’s farmland market is entering 2026 with remarkable stability — and one trend is clearer than ever: current farmers are purchasing roughly 70% of all farmland sold. Even with fewer acres hitting the market, ownership remains firmly rooted in local, multi‑generation farm families who continue to expand or secure nearby acres when opportunities arise.
Our detailed, transaction‑level reporting on Iowa farmland sales provides a powerful layer of verification found in these market trends. – https://conta.cc/4jLufrS

The Dramatic Shift in the U.S. Ag Land Price‑Rent Ratio

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthJanuary 15, 2026

The U.S. ag land price‑rent ratio has nearly doubled since 1998 — rising from 20 to 36 — and no single economic factor fully explains why. New farmdoc analysis shows that if the ratio had held steady, today’s cropland values would be roughly 40% lower. With land making up ~80% of U.S. farm assets, understanding the drivers behind this long‑term shift is essential for lenders, investors, and producers. Read more from Successful Farming – The Dramatic Change in U.S. Ag Land Price-Rent Ratio

Download farmdoc daily full report here: Farmdoc – Change in US Ag Land Price-Rent Radio

Why “Sub‑Prime” Effingham County Farmland Is Selling for $20,000+ per Acre

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthJanuary 13, 2026

Recent land sales in eastern Effingham County, Illinois, have quietly topped $20,000 per acre, despite soil productivity indexes (PI 100–110) that wouldn’t normally command such premiums. The story isn’t about the dirt — it’s about the people, livestock economics, and micro‑market dynamics shaping this unique region. Learn more about the three forces driving these eye‑popping prices – Why Effingham County farmland has topped $20,000 per acre

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