Land Values Archives - Land Sales Bulletin

Illinois Farmland Leasing Trends Show Stability Heading Into 2027

MktgLSB | April 14, 2026

New survey data from the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ISPFMRA) points to a steady and resilient leasing environment across Illinois farmland—an important signal for landowners, operators, and investors watching the Midwest market. As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s 10 Midwest reporting states, Illinois continues to demonstrate strong rental demand even as broader price expectations soften.

Cash Rents Hold Firm in 2026 – Survey results show that professionally managed farmland maintained strong cash rent levels for 2026.

Excellent soils: Middle-third rents average $375/acre, with top-tier agreements reaching $400/acre.
Good soils: Average $325/acre.
Average soils: $273/acre.
Fair soils: $200/acre.

Despite slight declines in 2025 landlord incomes—particularly on cash‑rented acres—operators continue to compete aggressively for high‑quality ground, keeping rents elevated across productivity classes.

Leasing Performance in 2025 – Returns varied by lease structure:

Custom farming delivered the highest 2025 returns at $375/acre on excellent soils.
Cash rent averaged $300/acre.
Crop share averaged $250/acre, buoyed by strong yields and lower input costs.

These dynamics help explain why cash rents remain strong even as land values show signs of leveling.

Expectations for 2027 – Farm managers express cautious optimism:

67% expect 2027 cash rents to remain unchanged from 2026.
9% anticipate increases.
24% foresee modest softening.

Overall, the data points to a stable leasing market with limited downside pressure.

Why This Matters for Midwest Land Professionals

Illinois—one of our core reporting states—continues to set the tone for leasing trends across the Corn Belt. Strong operator demand, tight supply of high‑quality acres, and steady income expectations reinforce the importance of finalized sales and rental data when evaluating market conditions.

Land Sales Bulletin will continue monitoring Illinois and our broader 10‑state Midwest region to provide transparent, county‑level insights for buyers, sellers, and ag professionals. Read the full report: Illinoi s Cash Rents and Leasing Expectations Through 2027 – farmdoc daily

Report Download: Illinois Cash Rents and Leasing Expectations Through 2027

2026 Illinois Farmland Price Expectations: Navigating a Stable Yet Softening Market

MktgLSB | April 10, 2026

Illinois farmland values are entering a period of stabilization after several years of rapid appreciation. According to the latest ISPFMRA survey, most market participants expect modest softening in 2026, driven by tighter crop margins, elevated input costs, and a high‑interest‑rate environment. While 61% of respondents anticipate slight price declines, long‑term confidence remains strong, with 77% expecting higher values within five years. Transaction volumes are also cooling, and private treaty sales are regaining ground as buyers seek flexibility in a shifting market.

As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s reporting states, Illinois continues to demonstrate the importance of timely, accurate, and completed land sale data in understanding market sentiment and tracking regional trends across the Midwest.

Read more from farmdoc daily: farmdocdaily.illinois.edu

Report download: ISPFMRA Survey Report

Farmland values across the Midwest remain steady

MktgLSB | April 6, 2026

Farmland values across the Midwest continue to hold steady—even inching upward in places—despite softer commodity prices and persistently high input costs. Recent insights from the Chicago Fed and the Iowa Realtors Land Institute show modest value increases across key crop districts, with tillable acres remaining especially resilient.

Industry experts point to several forces supporting today’s land market: limited supply, strong farmer demand, reinvestment through 1031 exchanges, and ongoing pressure from residential, commercial, and data‑center development. Farmland also remains a favored hedge against inflation, keeping buyers active even in a neutral interest‑rate environment.

At Land Sales Bulletin, we see these same dynamics across our 10‑state Midwest reporting region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. With only 1.5% to 2% of farmland changing hands annually in many states, competition for quality acres remains strong, and farmers continue to make up the majority of buyers.

A steady market doesn’t mean a quiet one—just a competitive one shaped by long‑term value and tight supply: farmprogress.com

Farmland Values Hold Firm Across the Midwest Despite Weaker Farm Finances

MktgLSB | March 26, 2026

American Farmland Owner reports on the New Federal Reserve surveys that show farmland values across the Midwest held steady or increased in 2025, reinforcing the strength of the region’s land market even as farm finances weakened.

For those following Land Sales Bulletin’s 10-state Midwest region—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin—the data highlights continued stability:

Chicago Fed District: Farmland values up 6% year over year
- Indiana +9%
- Wisconsin +9%
- Iowa +7%
- Illinois +3%
Kansas City Fed District:
- Non‑irrigated land: –0.3%
- Irrigated land: +1.2%
- Ranchland: +4.1%

At the same time, repayment challenges increased, more banks tightened credit standards, and interest rates—while easing—remain above long‑term averages.

Even with these pressures, Midwest farmland continues to stand out as one of the most stable assets in the agricultural economy. Read more: americanfarmlan d owner.com

Midwest Farmland Values – “The Selective Strength” Era

MktgLSB | March 24, 2026

Nick Westgerdes, AFM, owner of New Roots Farm Brokerage, shares specialized farmland value insights and management reports for our Midwest reporting states of Illinois and Wisconsin. As the current President-Elect of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ISPFMRA), his recent 2026 reports highlight a “resilient” but evolving market using our Illinois and Wisconsin land sales data. New Roots Farm Brokerage – Client Driven & Farm Focused.

Nebraska Farmland Values Hold Steady Amid Market Shifts

MktgLSB | March 19, 2026

Our Midwest state of Nebraska continues to demonstrate why it remains a cornerstone of Midwest farmland performance. According to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s latest survey, the statewide all‑land average value sits at $3,905 per acre in 2026, a modest 1% decline from the previous year. This marks the second consecutive year of slight softening after Nebraska reached a record high in 2024.

Survey respondents point to lower commodity prices, higher input costs, and elevated interest rates as the primary pressures on land values. Even so, Nebraska’s market remains resilient, with grazing land and hayland values rising 4–7% statewide, supported by strong cattle prices and competition for pasture. Irrigated and dryland cropland values saw small declines, generally between 1–3% depending on land class and region. Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report | Center for Agricultural Profitability | Nebraska

For those tracking Nebraska’s land market closely, two reports are now available for download:

These insights complement what Land Sales Bulletin continues to document across its 10‑state Midwest region: tight supply, strong buyer competition for quality acres, and a market that remains steady even as financial conditions shift.

Nebraska Land Market Shows Quiet Strength

MktgLSB | March 12, 2026

Nebraska continues to demonstrate why Midwest farmland market remains one of the most resilient asset classes. Despite softer commodity prices, verified sales across the state show values holding firm — a trend echoed across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region.

Recent Nebraska transactions highlight the diversity of demand:

Greeley County pasture brought $3,600/acre, supported by recreational appeal and steady local interest.
Platte County pivot‑irrigated cropland surged to $14,650/acre, reflecting the premium placed on high‑quality, rarely available acres.
Merrick County irrigated tracts sold between $7,700 and $8,300/acre, buoyed by strong soybean yields, excellent access, and reliable water infrastructure.

Nebraska’s mix of irrigated productivity, livestock supported regions, and limited turnover keeps values supported — and reinforces the broader regional story of resilience. Read more from Farm Progress: Resilience of land markets is a surprise

Iowa farmland values remain remarkably steady

MktgLSB | February 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

MktgLSB | February 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

MktgLSB | February 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.