Farmland Market Archives - Land Sales Bulletin

Minnesota Farmland Auctions Gain Momentum This July: Highlights from Successful Farming

Jennifer Moran | July 10, 2026

Successful Farming reports more than 1,160 acres of Minnesota farmland heading to auction this July across multiple counties. Here’s a concise breakdown aligned with Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region.

Faribault & Freeborn Counties (Hertz Farm Management)

429.66 acres offered in five parcels (sealed bid, July 16).
Mix of smaller and larger cropland tracts.
High‑quality soils; select parcels feature CPI ratings above 90.
One parcel includes a turnkey farmstead with significant grain storage.

Faribault County (Wingert Land Services)

75‑acre tract near the MN–IA border (July 29).
Strong soils with a CPI of 93.5.
Well‑drained and positioned for competitive bidding.

Waseca County (Wingert Land Services)

160‑acre farm selling July 31.
CPI of 93.6, well above county averages.
Includes CRP acres and grain storage; attractive for both operators and investors.

Additional Auctions Across Minnesota

Several more July auctions statewide, many featuring homesteads, grain bins, and machine sheds.
Majority located south of Interstate 94.

Market Context:

Strong interest expected for high‑CPI tracts.
Buyer enthusiasm moderated by grain prices, input costs, and interest rates.
Most sales expected to land near county averages.

LSB Perspective

Minnesota remains a key part of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region. These July auctions reflect what our finalized sales consistently show:

Steady demand for quality soils
Selective bidding shaped by credit conditions
Continued resilience across Minnesota farmland markets

Read more from Successful Farming: More Than 1,160 Acres of Minnesota Farmland Head to the Auction Block in July 2026

FarmDoc Daily Illinois Report: Farmland Prices and Government Programs July 7, 2026

Jennifer Moran | July 9, 2026

Illinois farmland values rose sharply from 2020 to 2023, then held steady or eased slightly through 2025, even as farmer returns fell and turned negative on many cash‑rented acres. Excellent‑productivity farmland climbed 57 percent during the upswing, then declined only 5 percent from its 2023 peak.

Cash rents followed a similar pattern, rising quickly during strong return years, then barely adjusting downward when returns weakened.

Federal programs, including crop insurance, ARC and PLC, and recent ad hoc assistance, continue to buffer income and slow cost‑structure adjustments across Illinois agriculture.

These dynamics explain why farmland prices have not retreated meaningfully and why rent negotiations remain tight heading into 2026 for our Midwest reporting state of Illinois.

Download their report (PDF): https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/fdd070726.pdf

Nebraska Farmland Sales Hold Steady Across Key Regions

Jennifer Moran | July 6, 2026

Nebraska’s land market continues to show strength this summer, even with limited inventory. According to Farm Progress, high‑quality farms remain in demand, with more buyers than sellers across the state.

Representative sales from five counties highlight the range of values and land types moving this season.

Garden County (Panhandle): 159.59 acres sold for $1,785/acre, featuring superior soils and strong ag plus recreational potential
Merrick County (East): 78.08 acres sold for $9,925/acre, a well‑managed Platte Valley irrigated farm with excellent water access
Lancaster County (Southeast Lincoln area): 124.06 acres sold for $18,499/acre, driven by transitional development potential and strong location advantages
Hall County (Central): 76.54 acres sold for $11,039/acre, positioned near strong grain markets and an ethanol plant
Johnson County (Southeast): 160 acres sold for $10,500/acre, with 96% tillable acres and completed conservation work

Nebraska remains a core state in Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region, and these sales reflect a market where quality land continues to attract strong buyer interest. Farm Progress: Farmland sales hold steady across Nebraska

Minnesota Farmland Snapshot: Recent Sales Across Key Counties

Jennifer Moran | July 2, 2026

Minnesota’s farmland market continues to show resilience heading into the second half of 2026, supported by recent sales across several counties statewide. While values have softened slightly, the market remains stable, with widening gaps between excellent and moderate-quality tracts as buyer demand shifts.

3 Key Things to Watch in the Second Half of 2026

2026 Crop Outlook — In‑season yield expectations will heavily influence farmer optimism and market aggressiveness
Geopolitics — War, trade, interest rates, and tariffs continue to shape commodity prices and input costs, with potential rate hikes and shifting global commitments on the horizon
Government Support — Additional assistance programs may help producers manage rising fuel and fertilizer costs and provide underlying support for land values

As a key Midwest reporting state for Land Sales Bulletin, Minnesota continues to demonstrate steady strength in the Midwest land market. Farm Progress:https://www.farmprogress.com/management/3-things-to-watch-as-farmland-market-readies-for-second-half-of-2026

Iowa Farmland Auctions Bring More Than 2,700 Acres to Market in July

Jennifer Moran | June 29, 2026

Iowa’s farmland market enters July with more than 2,700 acres scheduled for auction across 16 counties. Listings range from small 3‑acre tracts to multiparcel offerings nearing 780 acres, underscoring steady demand in one of Land Sales Bulletin’s core Midwest reporting states.

Poweshiek County leads early activity with 392 acres selling July 10 across three tracts, all rented for the 2026 crop year.
In northwest Iowa, Pocahontas County brings 775 acres across nine tracts with CSR2 values ranging 80–85.2 in an online‑only auction ending July 15.
Fremont County follows with a 143.99‑acre offering featuring a weighted CSR2 of 83.4 and $17,700 in 2026 cash‑rent income to the buyer.

Statewide, at least 13 additional auctions are expected, with most located south of US‑20. Iowa’s farmland values have increased 1.3% over the past six months, signaling cautious optimism among producers and investors. Read more from Successful Farming: More Than 2700 Acres of Iowa Farmland Head to Auction in July 2026

More than 2,700 Acres of Iowa Farmland head to Auction this July 2026

June 2026 Farmland Market Update: Stability Holds Across the Corn Belt

Jennifer Moran | June 15, 2026

Hertz Real Estate Services’ June 2026 Farmland Market Update highlights a land market that remains steady across the Corn Belt, even as producers navigate tighter margins and shifting interest‑rate expectations. Hear from their President, Doug Hensley, shares the latest on farmland values, current market conditions, and key factors influencing the land market – Hertz Farmland Market Update Videos

Across the Midwest, Land Sales Bulletin’s finalized land sale data reflects the same trend: resilient pricing for top‑tier cropland across our Corn Belt states. While softer commodity prices and elevated input costs are creating pressure, neither has meaningfully disrupted the market’s underlying strength.

As both a trusted customer and a leading voice in the farmland industry, proud to share Hertz’s latest update. Make sure to sign up to have their Farmland Market Updates land in your inbox: https://www.hertz.ag/subscribe

South Dakota Farmland Market Update: Stability Driven by Local Demand

Jennifer Moran | June 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.

Iowa Cash Rents Hold Steady in 2026 Despite Market Pressures

Jennifer Moran | June 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

Jennifer Moran | June 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.

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

Jennifer Moran | May 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.