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Midwest Farmland Watch: Early Illinois Sales Hint at Stabilizing Values

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthOctober 23, 2026

Across the Midwest, early fall sales in Illinois are offering a clearer read on where farmland values may be heading. Land Sales Bulletin continues to track these regional shifts closely, and Illinois is showing some of the first signs of stabilization after a slower midyear period. Stronger commodity prices since August and solid yields in several Illinois regions are helping support buyer confidence, even as overall sales volume remains lighter than last year.

Highlights

  • Class A farmland in central Illinois showing stronger bidding activity
  • Select Class A tracts improving by one to two thousand dollars per acre
  • Local buyers driving interest on high productivity acres
  • West central Illinois seeing high income producing farms outperform expectations
  • Some sales reaching high teens to twenty thousand per acre though not typical statewide
  • Strong corn and soybean yields supporting buyer optimism
  • Northern and southern Illinois reporting fewer auctions and slower seasonal starts

Farm Progress provides the full Midwest report. Read it here: https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-business/are-illinois-farmland-values-rebounding-

Midwest Farmland Watch: Early Illinois Sales Hint at Stabilizing Values

Minnesota Farmland Sales Slow in 2026, but Year-End Could Shift the Story

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthOctober 22, 2026

Southeastern Minnesota’s farmland market has been quieter through 2026, yet values for Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting state continue to show strength even with fewer finalized sales. Compeer Financial’s appraisal team notes that activity across Dakota, Le Sueur, Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Dodge counties is well below last year’s pace, but the fourth quarter may close that gap as farmers wrap up harvest and evaluate year-end decisions.

Key Highlights

  • Farmland sales across six southeastern Minnesota counties are down sharply from 2025, with just 55 qualifying transactions so far.
  • Despite slower activity, values remain resilient, rising approximately 5% year over year and 21% over the past four years.
  • County averages vary widely, from $11,000 to $11,500 per tillable acre in much of the region, up to nearly $14,500 in Dodge County.
  • Strong yields in parts of Minnesota may help offset weaker commodity prices as farmers assess their financial position heading into 2027.
  • Solar projects, suburban expansion, and recreational land demand continue to influence values across southeastern Minnesota.
  • Year-end sales activity, typically strongest from November through February, could significantly narrow the gap between 2025 and 2026.

Compeer Financial’s appraisal team, including author Aaron Stark, continues to monitor our Midwest reporting state of Minnesota’s evolving land market closely. Listen or read their full report: https://www.compeer.com/articles/southeastern-minnesota-farmland-sales-slow-in-2026

Recent Farmland Sales Highlight Activity Across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest Reporting States

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthOctober 17, 2026

October’s farmland market delivered another round of finalized sales across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states of Iowa, North Dakota and Wisconsin, with neighboring Missouri also posting a notable result. DTN Progressive Farmer’s Landwatch update provides a clear snapshot of regional demand, soil productivity, and buyer interest.

Key Highlights

  • Iowa — Dallas County recorded a 351-acre auction selling in three tracts for $3.7 million averaging $11,033 per acre The property includes a 158-acre parcel with a soil productivity rating of 83.3 and balanced corn and soybean base acres Additional tracts include a 112-acre parcel with strong corn and soybean yields and an 81-acre tract with a soil productivity index of 88.4
  • Missouri (Neighboring) — Pettis County reported a 96-acre online auction selling for $678,476 averaging $7,100 per acre The farm is 86% tillable with a soil productivity index of 67.1 and includes wildlife habitat with deer and turkey hunting opportunities
  • North Dakota — Kidder County saw a 160-acre online auction selling for $528,000 averaging $3,300 per acre The property is currently used for hay with a soil productivity index of 39.9 and supports habitat for waterfowl and upland birds in the prairie pothole region
  • Wisconsin — Dane County recorded an 82-acre auction selling for $1.1 million averaging $13,125 per acre The farm includes 76 tillable acres with a soil productivity index of 77.8 and 6 acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program until 2033

Read the full DTN Progressive Farmer article: Landwatch Weekly Recent Farmland Sales in Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin

October Farmland Sales Highlight Strength Across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest Reporting States

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthOctober 15, 2026

October delivered another month of strong finalized farmland sales across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and South Dakota, with neighboring Missouri also posting a notable result. DTN Progressive Farmer’s latest Landwatch Report provides a clear snapshot of regional momentum and buyer confidence.

Key Highlights

  • Illinois — Woodford County recorded strong demand, including a 143-acre sale averaging $17,483 per acre and a 62-acre tract reaching $19,250 per acre
  • Indiana — Allen County saw a 92-acre multi-tract sale averaging $18,478 per acre supported by highly productive tillable parcels and solid yield history
  • Iowa — Dallas County posted one of the month’s largest transactions with 482 acres averaging $12,033 per acre and a soil productivity index of 83
  • Ohio — Clinton County led in total acreage with 1,341 acres selling for $11.4 million averaging $8,501 per acre across 16 tracts with extensive building improvements
  • South Dakota — Deuel County’s 125-acre sale averaged $10,400 per acre supported by strong corn and soybean yield bases and a soil productivity index of 89.2
  • Missouri (Neighboring) — Pettis County reported a 60-acre sale averaging $6,040 per acre reflecting mixed-use potential with tillable acres pasture timber and a farmhouse

Read the full DTN Progressive Farmer article: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/article/2026/10/01/october-2026-recent-farmland-sales

Indiana Farmland Values Enter a Period of Stabilization

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthOctober 14, 2026

Indiana farmland values are leveling out after several years of rapid price movement, according to the latest Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey. After notable swings in 2024 and 2025, statewide values in 2026 show signs of moderation as the market digests uncertainty and shifting development pressures across the region. For Land Sales Bulletin readers, this aligns with broader Midwest trends we continue to monitor across our reporting states, including Indiana.

Key Points

  • Statewide farmland values dipped in 2026 following large leaps in prior years
  • Average-quality Indiana farmland now sits at $12,121 per acre, down 1.1%
  • Top-quality and poor-quality ground show little change from June 2025 levels
  • Development pressure from housing, renewable energy and data centers is driving localized price spikes
  • Eastern Corn Belt states, including Indiana, continue to see a “halo effect” from commercial expansion
  • Crop price improvements since June are supporting expectations for firmer land values heading into 2027

Indiana’s mix of steady agricultural demand and rising non-ag development interest underscores the variability landowners may continue to see in the coming years. As always, Land Sales Bulletin will track these shifts closely across our Midwest reporting states.

Author: Allison Lynch, Indiana Prairie Farmer Source: Farm Progress Report link: https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-business/indiana-farmland-values-stabilize-following-large-leaps

October Brings Nearly 7,500 Acres of Nebraska Farmland to Auction

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthOctober 12, 2026

Nebraska’s fall land market continues to show depth and diversity as nearly 7,491 acres head to auction in October, according to reporting from Successful Farming. Our Midwest reporting state’s listings span 20 counties and include large multi-tract offerings in Cheyenne, Garden, Holt and Saline Counties, reflecting the broad mix of cropland, pasture and hay ground available statewide.

Key highlights from the October lineup include:

  • Cheyenne and Garden Counties: Seven tracts totaling 2,244 acres of non-irrigated farmland offered by Kraupie’s Real Estate and Auctioneers, including parcels seeded for the 2027 wheat crop.
  • Holt County: Four tracts totaling 1,830.1 acres combining pasture and hay meadow, offered via hybrid auction by Farmers National Company with full possession available for 2027 production.
  • Saline County: Three tracts totaling 515.82 acres south of Crete, including irrigated and dryland cropland with center pivots conveyed on two farms.
  • Statewide Activity: At least 21 Nebraska farmland sales scheduled for October across 20 counties, ranging from 33 acres to the 2,242-acre Bondegard Farms offering, with a mix of live, online and sealed-bid formats.

Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting state of Nebraska’s agricultural land values remain relatively steady heading into late 2026, with buyers increasingly selective as crop margins tighten and interest rates remain elevated. High-quality irrigated farms and productive soils continue to attract interest, while grazing land remains one of the stronger segments of the market.

Author: Amanda Miller
Full article: Nearly 7500 acres of Nebraska farmland head to auction in October 2026

Farmland Sales From July Highlight Strength Across Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthOctober 8, 2026

Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states saw strong July auction activity, with Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois each posting notable results across multitract offerings. Successful Farming’s coverage shows continued buyer demand for productive cropland and premium parcels.

Summary Points:

  • Wisconsin: Nearly 800 acres in Juneau County averaged $8,303 per acre, with Tracts 1–3 at $8,700 per acre and a premium 11.66‑acre parcel reaching $13,000 per acre.
  • Iowa: A 775‑acre Pocahontas County auction saw prices from $9,500 to $11,050 per acre, led by Tract 3 at $11,050 per acre and supported by strong CSR2 ratings of 80–85.
  • Illinois: Sangamon County’s Markunas Trust sale produced a wide value spread, with Tract 1 at $16,000 per acre and Tract 4 at $8,300 per acre due to CREP‑enrolled timber reducing tillable acres despite similar PI ratings.

These results reinforce the resilience of well‑positioned farmland across LSB’s Midwest reporting region, even as operators and investors navigate a cautious ag economy.

Source: Successful Farming | Author: Dave Price | Full report: Wisconsin Farmland Brings More Than $8,000-per-Acre Average at Auction

Indiana Farmland Auctions Expand Statewide as Nearly 2,900 Acres Hit the Market in October

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthOctober 5, 2026

Successful Farming reports that nearly 2,900 acres of Indiana farmland are scheduled for auction throughout October 2026, with listings spanning 22 counties statewide . This broad distribution gives buyers in Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting state of Indiana opportunities across multiple regions as the fall selling season accelerates.

Key highlights include multi-tract offerings in Wayne, Benton, and Knox counties, each combining tillable acreage, recreational land, and established homesites. Purdue’s Michael Langemeier notes that Indiana farmland values remain steady heading into post-harvest, supported by recent commodity price improvements even as producers continue to monitor input costs and interest rates .

Summary Points

  • Nearly 2,900 acres of Indiana farmland head to auction in October across 22 counties
  • Wayne County’s 224-acre Brewer farm offers eight tracts with CRP and Classified Forest enrollment
  • Benton County’s 320.8-acre Kennedy farm features high-quality tillable acres and potential commercial-use tracts near West Lafayette
  • Knox County’s 331-acre offering includes substantial cropland, Wabash River frontage, and recreational features
  • October’s auction calendar includes 25 sales statewide, ranging from 20 to more than 330 acres
  • Purdue analysis points to stable Indiana land values supported by stronger corn and soybean prices

Author: Amanda Miller Source: Successful Farming Full report: https://www.agriculture.com/nearly-2-900-acres-of-indiana-farmland-head-to-auction-in-october-2026-12147608

Iowa Farmland Sales Strengthen Amid Global Market Volatility

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthSeptember 25, 2026

Farmland activity across the Midwest continues to build momentum, with Iowa seeing a noticeable uptick in sales as global market forces push corn and soybean prices to three‑year highs. For Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region, including Illinois, these conditions are contributing to stronger buyer interest and more tracts coming to market.

Key Summary Points:

  • Higher corn and soybean prices have put farm profitability back into play.
  • Weather, drought, and geopolitical pressures continue to influence commodity markets and buyer sentiment.
  • Iowa sales remain active across Emmet, Hancock, Black Hawk, Crawford, Webster, Cedar, Montgomery, Decatur, and Jefferson counties.
  • More supply is entering the market as sellers respond to stronger pricing conditions and renewed buyer activity.

Author: Doug Hensley, President of Hertz Real Estate Services

Farm Progress Full Article: https://www.farmprogress.com/markets-and-quotes/5-reasons-why-farmland-sales-are-on-an-uptick

Illinois Cash Rent Trends Show Second Straight Decline in 2026

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthSeptember 24, 2026

Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting state of Illinois continues to see softening cash rental rates, with USDA data showing a second consecutive year of declines. A new University of Illinois analysis highlights how rental pressures vary sharply across the state’s northern, central, and southern regions, reflecting differences in soil productivity, crop yields, and weather stress.

Key Illinois Summary Points:

  • Average Illinois cash rent now $261 per acre in 2026, down from $264 in 2025 and $269 in 2024
  • Central and northern counties continue to post above‑average rents due to deep, highly productive glacial soils
  • Southern Illinois counties report below‑average rents tied to lower yields and more weather stress
  • Macon County leads the state at $347 per acre, while Union County sits lowest at $86 per acre
  • More counties recorded rent declines in 2026 than increases, signaling continued margin pressure for landowners and operators .

The report also notes that professionally managed farms often show higher reported rents due to commissions and fees, meaning net returns to landowners can be lower than headline figures suggest.

Author: Brooke Bouma Kohlsdorf
American Farmland Owner Full Report: https://www.americanfarmlandowner.com/post/illinois-farmland-cash-rents-fall-for-second-straight-year-university-of-illinois-report-shows

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