Land Sales Bulletin

South Dakota Farmland Market Update: Stability Driven by Local Demand

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJune 12, 2026

South Dakota continues to demonstrate steady strength and stability in the Midwest farmland market, supported by limited supply, strong operator interest, and stable cash rents. As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, South Dakota remains a key region where finalized sales data helps producers, lenders, and landowners understand real-time market conditions.

Recent insights from ASFMRA‘s South Dakota Ag Update highlight several consistent themes. High-quality tracts continue to draw competitive bidding, with local producers leading most purchases. Investor activity remains present but secondary to operator demand. Cash rents are holding firm across much of the state, supported by strong balance sheets and the ongoing scarcity of acres coming to market.

With planting season progressing and producers optimistic about field conditions, the overall outlook remains steady. Limited supply continues to be the defining factor supporting values, even as margins tighten and operating costs rise.

Tune in to learn more in ASFMRAs South Dakota Ag Update.

Land Sales Bulletin will continue to track finalized sales across South Dakota and the broader Midwest to keep the market informed.

Recent Farmland Sales Across Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Ohio Highlight Steady Regional Demand

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJune 9, 2026

Farmland auctions across our Midwest states continue to show strong buyer engagement, with recent sales recorded in Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Ohio.

  • Knox County, Illinois, an 88‑acre farm sold for $8,200/acre, supported by a 121.8 PI, 74 tillable acres, and a wind energy easement .
  • Decatur County, Kansas saw a 470‑acre farm sell in two tracts for an average of $2,325/acre. The larger tract included 200 acres of grassland and 116 acres of cropland with 88 wheat‑base acres at a 56 bu/acre yield, while the second tract featured 84 cropland acres and 71 acres of grassland. Buyers also received 100% of the 2026 wheat crop .
  • Fillmore County, Nebraska, a 151‑acre irrigated farm brought $12,583/acre, supported by strong corn and soybean base acres and a 7‑tower irrigation system .
  • Butler County, Ohio, a 144‑acre property sold in four tracts for $15,521/acre, featuring wooded acres, tillable ground, and average yields of 129.6 bu/acre corn and 46.4 bu/acre soybeans .

Across the region, soil quality, crop base strength, and property features continue to drive competitive bidding and support resilient land values. Read more from DTN Progressive Farmer: Recent Farmland Sales in Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and Ohio

DTN Progressive Farmer Landwatch Weekly Report - June 4, 2026

Strong Buyer Interest Continues Across Midwest Land Markets

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJune 5, 2026

Recent land sales across the Midwest show that buyer demand remains steady, even as overall listings stay limited. The latest report highlights representative sales from Kansas and Missouri, along with two strong transactions from Illinois, one of Land Sales Bulletin’s core Midwest reporting states.

In Kansas, cropland in Ottawa County sold for $2,450 per acre at online auction, supported by productive silt loam soils and consistent wheat yields . Missouri’s Reynolds County pastureland brought $2,500 per acre, reflecting strong forage production and well‑maintained fencing and water infrastructure.

Illinois posted two notable sales:
• Knox County: 87.78 acres sold for $8,200 per acre, offering productive tillable ground and upland game habitat.
• Tazewell County: 40.3 acres reached $19,900 per acre, supported by a strong 138.5 Productivity Index and high‑quality soils including Ipava and Sable.

These sales underscore the resilience of Midwest farmland markets, where buyer interest remains high and finalized transactions continue to reflect strong regional demand. Farm Progress: https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-business/buyers-still-lining-up-for-land-sales

Iowa Cash Rents Hold Steady in 2026 Despite Market Pressures

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJune 3, 2026

Iowa’s 2026 cropland cash rents showed remarkable stability, landing at an average of $270 per acre, just $1 below 2025 levels. Despite lower commodity prices and elevated input costs, rental rates across high-, medium-, and low‑quality farmland saw only minor adjustments, mirroring the steadiness seen in recent land value surveys.

County‑level results reflected Iowa’s typical variability: 47 counties posted increases, 49 saw declines, and 3 remained unchanged. The highest average rents were reported in Sioux, Lyon, and Delaware counties, while Wayne, Lucas, and Davis recorded the lowest averages.

Looking ahead, improved season‑average price projections for corn and soybeans—supported by USDA’s May WASDE update—have contributed to a more optimistic outlook for 2026 crops. Futures markets are signaling some of the strongest price expectations in over a year, helping keep cash rents from moving sharply in either direction.

For landowners and operators across Iowa, these findings reinforce the value of using county‑level data as a starting point for 2027 lease discussions, while still tailoring agreements to productivity, drainage, fertility, and local market conditions. Farm Progress: https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-business/why-iowa-cropland-cash-rents-barely-budged-in-2026?

Illinois Farmland Sales Hold Steady in Q1 as Smaller Tracts Lead the Way

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJune 1, 2026

Illinois farmland sales remained steady through the first quarter of 2026, with more than 10,190 acres changing hands and total reported sales topping $103.5 million. Most transactions clustered between $10,000 and $13,000 per acre, reflecting a balanced, stable market despite broader economic pressures.

One of the most notable trends was the continued strength of smaller tracts under 80 acres, which averaged $11,443 per acre, outpacing larger farms by roughly $640 per acre. Local farmers remained the dominant buyers, accounting for 57% of purchases statewide.

Top-end parcels continued to command premiums, with several sales exceeding $20,000 per acre in counties such as Hancock, Effingham, and Christian. While market signals point to ongoing volatility, Illinois farmland values overall remain supported by strong local demand and consistent pricing. Successful Farming: Illinois Farmland Sales Top $103 Million in Q1 as Small Tracts Outpace Larger Farms

As always, Land Sales Bulletin, reporting finalized land sales across its 10‑state Midwest region—including Illinois—continues to track these trends to keep buyers, sellers, and advisors informed.

Notable Iowa & Wisconsin Farmland Sales Highlight Strong Spring Market

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-month

Recent Notable Sales across Iowa and Wisconsin continue to demonstrate the strength of high‑quality Midwest farmland, according to reporting from American Farmland Owner.

In Sioux County, Iowa, two premium cropland tracts sold for $26,600 per acre on April 2, reflecting the region’s continued demand for nearly all‑tillable farms with strong CSR2 ratings and efficient row layouts.
Tract 1 included 44.5± acres with a CSR2 of 91, while Tract 2 offered 40± acres with a CSR2 of 91.8, supported by proven Galva, Primghar, and Ely soils.

In Dane County, Wisconsin, a 207.55‑acre offering brought $18,750 to $24,000 per acre across five tracts at an April 17 auction.
The farm featured nearly all‑tillable acres, productive Plano, Ringwood, and Traxel silt loams, and strong proximity to Madison — all factors that contributed to competitive bidding in this tightly held region.

These Notable Sales reinforce the continued resilience of top‑quality cropland and the strong operator and investor interest across the our Midwest. https://www.americanfarmlandowner.com/post/notable-land-sales-midwest

Michigan Farmland Spotlight: Innovation, Specialty Crops, and Global Reach

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthMay 28, 2026

Michigan and it’s farmland remains one of Land Sales Bulletin’s most dynamic Midwest reporting states — a region where long‑established family farms continue to evolve, diversify, and find new markets. A recent example comes from Tekonsha, where sixth‑generation farmer Ed Shumway transformed his family’s 170‑year‑old dairy farm into a thriving international popcorn operation, shipping premium kernels to 28 countries.

Shumway’s shift from dairy to specialty crops began in the early 1990s, when he pivoted to popcorn production after years of managing a traditional dairy herd. Today, he farms roughly 700 acres, rotating popcorn and soybeans for fertility and pest management benefits. His operation extends beyond his own acres, contracting with growers in Michigan and Ohio to bring total popcorn acreage to 2,000 acres annually.

Michigan’s specialty crop strength is on full display in stories like this. From precision harvest practices — where even a cracked hull can reduce popping quality — to investments in advanced drying and cleaning systems that ensure premium kernels reach global buyers, Michigan producers continue to demonstrate the innovation and adaptability that define the state’s agricultural landscape.

Shumway Popcorn’s international reach includes markets in Jordan, Lebanon, Chile, Germany, Mexico, and Indonesia, supported by Michigan’s strong export infrastructure and state‑level resources for agricultural trade. It’s a reminder that Michigan farmland doesn’t just feed local communities — it connects to global supply chains. Farm Progress: Michigan farmer pivot to popcorn goes global

Land Sales Bulletin tracks verified farmland sales across Michigan and the broader Midwest, providing transparent, comparable data that helps landowners, operators, and ag professionals understand the trends shaping regions like this one.

Wisconsin Farmland Auction Surges to Nearly $22,000 Per Acre

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthMay 26, 2026

A recent auction in Stoughton, Wisconsin delivered one of the most eye‑opening sales the region has seen, with a 208‑acre farm selling for $21,946 per acre—more than triple the state’s 2025 average farmland value of $6,420 per acre. Rapid‑fire bidding pushed prices upward within minutes, driven by strong demand for high‑quality cropland and limited availability in Dane County. Nearly 50 bidders participated, but a local dairy farmer ultimately secured all five tracts offered.

The sale’s momentum has already sparked new interest among landowners considering bringing properties to market, underscoring the continued strength of premium farmland in Wisconsin—Land Sales Bulletin’s home Midwest reporting state. Read more from American Farmland Owner: Wisconsin Farm Sells for Nearly $22,000 an Acre in Rapid-Fire Auction 

Why a 602-Acre Indiana Farm Drew Bidders From Seven States

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthMay 22, 2026

A recent auction in west‑central Indiana showcased the continued strength of Midwest farmland—especially in regions where scale, soil quality, and location converge. The 602-acre farm, offered in seven tracts, drew 54 registered bidders and a standing‑room‑only crowd, with interest coming from seven states.

Despite the wide geographic interest, the final buyers were all local farmers or investors from west‑central Indiana, underscoring the resilience of local demand in a tightly held region. The property’s appeal was driven by three rare attributes:

  • Large scale — 602 acres, with 595.57 acres classified as cropland
  • High-quality soils — a WAPI of 172.6, unusually strong for the region
  • Strategic location — near major routes and within the growing “Silicon Heartland” corridor between Indianapolis and Purdue University

The farm averaged $19,259 per acre, well above Indiana’s statewide average of $14,826 per acre reported by Purdue University. Read more from Successful Farming: Why This 602-Acre Indiana Farm Drew Bidders From 7 States

As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, Indiana continues to demonstrate selective strength—particularly for Class A soils and large, contiguous tracts that rarely come to market.

Why This 602-Acre Indiana Farm Drew Bidders From 7 States - Successful Farming

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