New analysis from farmdocDaily examines why U.S. farmers own farmland and how they view future land values, drawing on results from the August 2026 Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey. Responses from approximately 400 producers underscore the unique role farmland plays across the Midwest and beyond.
Report Highlights:
- Family or sentimental reasons were the top motivation for owning farmland, cited by 45 percent of respondents
- Long-term investment ranked second at 32 percent, followed by current income at 22 percent
- Two-thirds of producers indicated farmland is a good investment
- Producers were more optimistic about farmland values five years out than over the next 12 months
- Alternative investments and interest rates were identified as the most influential factors affecting farmland values
The full farmdocDaily report is available for download.
Authors: Michael Langemeier and Joana Colussi
Report Link: why-u-s-farmers-own-farmland-and-what-they-expect-for-land-values.html
