Illinois Farmland Auctions Surpass $40 Million in March

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthApril 28, 2026

Illinois farmland sales remained strong in March 2026, with more than 4,100 acres changing hands and total transactions exceeding $40.4 million. Activity spanned key agricultural counties including Grundy, Hancock, and McLean, where high-quality Class A tracts continued to draw competitive bidding from both local operators and investors.

Notable sales included two 120.52‑acre tracts in Grundy County that sold for $16,900 per acre, reflecting strong demand for highly productive soils with PI ratings above county averages. In Hancock County, a 138.69‑acre tract sold for $7,775 per acre, supported by strong organic matter and fertility advantages. McLean County saw 72.55 acres sell for $15,600 per acre, backed by strong yield history and solid soil productivity.

Market analysts note that despite higher interest rates and elevated input costs, Illinois farmland values remain resilient. Limited supply, strong balance sheets, and steady investor interest continue to support pricing across the state—one of Land Sales Bulletin’s 10 Midwest reporting states. Read more from Successful Farming: Illinois Farmland Auctions Bring Over $40 Million in March

Illinois Farmland Auctions Bring Over $40 Million in March - Successful Farming 4-23-2026

A new FinCEN Rule is Poised to Affect More Farm Real Estate Transactions

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthApril 2, 2026

FinCEN now requires detailed reporting when 1–4 unit residential property is purchased or transferred through an LLC, partnership, or trust. While aimed at urban markets, this rule reaches into agriculture because so many farm operations hold residential structures inside business entities for liability protection and succession planning.

That means common farm scenarios may now trigger reporting, including:

  • Buying a farm with a residence through an LLC
  • Transferring a farmhouse into a family entity
  • Purchasing residential parcels adjacent to farmland
  • Cash or seller‑financed deals involving a dwelling

Even when the primary purpose is agricultural, the presence of a residence brings the rule into play. Closing professionals must report beneficial owners, entity details, payment sources, and property information — adding time and documentation to many transactions.

Why it matters: Farm families who rely on LLCs and trusts for operational and estate planning will see more disclosure requirements and should prepare early to avoid closing delays.

At Land Sales Bulletin, we continue to monitor regulatory changes that influence how land is bought, sold, and transferred across our 10‑state Midwest region. Our mission remains the same: deliver verified, county‑level land sale data and keep our customers informed on the policies shaping today’s land market. Farm Progress: New FinCEN rule could affect farm real estate transactions

March 2026 Midwest Farmland Market Snapshot: Recent Auction Sales

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthMarch 3, 2026

Farmland auctions across our Midwest reporting states and beyond continue to show strong momentum heading into spring 2026. Progressive Farmer’s recent Landwatch sales report, highlights steady demand for high‑quality cropland, recreational tracts, and irrigated acres, with buyers still prioritizing soil productivity, location advantages, and long‑term income potential.

Recent Auction Results Across the Our Midwest Reporting States:

  • Indiana – Adams County
    A 95‑acre farm east of Decatur sold for $14,737/acre, featuring four mostly tillable parcels with Blount and Pewamo soils and an additional wooded tract.
  • Iowa – Monroe County
    A 135‑acre recreational farm brought $5,400/acre, supported by hardwood timber, CRP grasses generating $11,723 annually, and strong wildlife habitat.
  • Nebraska – Butler County
    A 159‑acre irrigated cropland farm reached $13,783/acre, supported by Hastings silt loam soils, a full‑circle pivot, and proximity to ethanol and crush plants.
  • Ohio – Champaign & Logan Counties
    A 314‑acre farm sold in two tracts for $17,557/acre, backed by strong corn and soybean PLC yields and a balanced crop base.
  • South Dakota – Moody County
    A 161‑acre row‑crop farm brought $12,876/acre, featuring solid PLC yields and added value from 2025 dairy manure application at no cost to the buyer.

Progressive Farmer shares sales details and more: March 2026 Recent Farmland Sales

Landwatch March 2026 Recent Farmland Sales

Iowa farmland values remain remarkably steady

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 20, 2026

Despite persistently low commodity prices and a sluggish start to the year, land values across our Midwest state of Iowa remain remarkably steady. Limited supply continues to be the defining force, with few acres coming to market and a consistent pool of farmer‑buyers and long‑term investors keeping demand firm. Interest rates have held in a narrow range, and without a major shift in supply or buyer appetite, experts expect values to continue moving sideways. Recent sales across multiple counties in our Midwest reporting state show strong support for quality acres and a land market that continues to “chop sideways.” Read more from Farm Progress: Why ‘boring’ isn’t bad for steady Iowa farmland values

Iowa Farmland Market Update: Q4 2025 Results are In

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 19, 2026

Peoples Company has released the latest stats for Iowa agricultural land. While the market continues to shift, high-quality tracts remain a focal point for investors and operators alike in our Midwest reporting state.

The Q4 Numbers:

  • Average Price: $12,975/Acre
  • Price per Tillable Acre: $14,542
  • Price per CSR2 Point: $181
  • Volume: 436 tracts sold (35,698 total acres)

Find the full breakdown by district and the latest insights on our Midwest state of Iowa in their their full report: Iowa Land Values Update | 2025 Quarter 4

Midwest farmland values ended 2025 with resilient growth

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 17, 2026

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago AgLetter No. 2011, February 2026 – Our Midwest reporting states farmland values ended 2025 on solid footing.

• +6% annual increase across the Seventh District
• Q4 values up 2% • IL, IN, IA, WI all posted single‑digit gains
• Credit conditions tightened, but interest rates eased

Read more: https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/agletter/2025-2029/february-2026. Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest sales data demonstrates the strong demand for high‑quality tracts, reinforcing the Chicago Fed’s findings.

Are Farmland Values Leveling off Nationwide

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 11, 2026

Farmland values across the Midwest are holding historically strong, even as the market shifts into a more balanced, disciplined phase. According to Farm Progress, our Midwest reporting states from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas are seeing values stabilize near record highs, with buyers becoming more selective and quality-driven.
“Midwest farmland values remain historically strong heading into 2026” has been an encouraging and consistent headline. Our data reinforces this message: the market isn’t falling—it’s normalizing, with long‑term confidence and limited supply keeping values elevated. Read more from Farm Progress – Farmland values hold steady, reflect shift toward balanced market

Our upper Midwest reporting states farmland sales closed 2025 with strong momentum

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 5, 2026

Farmland sales across our Upper Midwest reporting states closed 2025 with strong momentum, highlighted by a $18,000-per-acre sale in Moody County, South Dakota. Additional November sales in our reporting states of Minnesota and Nebraska underscored the broader strength of the row‑crop market.
Together, these sales show a market that remains resilient, selective, and driven by soil quality, location, and operational fit as buyers position for the 2026 crop year. Our trusted transactional land sales data can help demonstrate these patterns emerging throughout the Midwest. Read more from Successful FarmingSouth Dakota Farmland Sells for More Than $18,000 per Acre

South Dakota Farmland Sells for More Than $18,000 per Acre
South Dakota Farmland Sells for More Than $18,000 per Acre

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

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