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
Farmland values across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region continue to show steady, resilient performance heading into Summer 2026, according to Hertz Farm Management’s latest update.
Iowa remains stable, with farmland values increasing 1.3% from September 2025 to March 2026 . Over the past 12 months, Iowa posted a net 0.3% gain after a brief dip earlier in 2025.
Illinois shows a choppy‑sideways trend. “Excellent” quality land declined 3%, while “Good” and “Average” land remained flat and “Fair” land increased 2% . Despite near‑term caution—61% of respondents expect prices to decline in 2026 —values remain 49–54% above 2020 levels.
Nebraska cropland values softened, declining 1–3% statewide, while grazing land rose up to 7% on strong cattle prices . Overall agricultural land values fell 1% year‑over‑year, marking a second consecutive annual decline.
Minnesota remains resilient, with modest increases in non‑irrigated cropland prices and ranchland rents, while irrigated rents declined . Lenders remain cautious, with 64% expecting farm incomes to decrease in the year ahead.
Across the Corn Belt, limited land supply, steady buyer interest, and stable long‑term fundamentals continue to support values despite tighter margins and broader economic volatility. Read more from Hertz Farm Management:https://www.hertz.ag/blog/detail/farmland-values-update-summer-2026
This week’s Landwatch Weekly delivers a full sweep across four of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, highlighting strong auction activity and continued buyer interest across row‑crop regions.
Illinois — Ogle County • 286 acres sold for $4.4M (avg. $14,162/acre) • Tracts included PIs of 135.6, 135, and 127.1 • Mix of high‑quality cropland, small wooded areas, and older grain bins
Iowa — Lee County • 356 acres sold for $2.6M (avg. $8,750/acre) • Row‑crop acres with a soil rating of 48.2 plus tile and terracing • Features included a creek, pond, and strong whitetail habitat • Additional tracts with 129 tillable acres and improved tile/terrace systems
Minnesota — Rock County • 162 acres sold for $2.8M (avg. $17,000/acre) • Corn/soybean bases with PLC yields of 160 bu corn and 47 bu soybeans • Extensive drainage tile across both tracts
Nebraska — Keith County • 323 acres sold for $1.3M (avg. $4,050/acre) • Tract 1: 133 certified irrigated acres; Tract 2: 136 certified irrigated acres • Both equipped with 2004 Zimmatic 7‑tower pivots with end guns • Combined base acres: 233 corn, 30 soybean, 8 wheat with respective yields of 165, 60, and 48 bu/acre
Across the region, sales continue to reflect strong demand for high‑quality cropland, with tile, irrigation, and productivity ratings playing a central role in pricing. Read morefrom Progressive Farmer: Recent Farmland Sales in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska
Nebraska remains a core part of Land Sales Bulletin’s 10‑state Midwest reporting region, with recent sales activity underscoring a familiar theme across the state: strong buyer demand and limited supply. Farmland listings remain scarce, and that tight inventory continues to support values even as commodity margins shift. Landowners are cautious to sell, buyers remain active, and professionally marketed farms are moving quickly — a dynamic reflected in this month’s representative sales.
Recent Verified Sales Across Three Nebraska Counties
Saline County (Southeast) — 237.79 acres sold for $4,850/acre
219.08 tillable acres across two parcels
Mix of flat and gently rolling cropland
Working corral and pen facilities included
Lancaster County (East) — 75.16 acres sold for $8,800/acre
More than 96% tillable, with a four‑year lime program applied before 2024 planting
Geological and hydrological reports suggest irrigation potential in the northeast corner (no test drilling yet)
Pierce County (Northeast) — Two‑tract sale
Tract 1: 160 acres at $4,300/acre; 129.9 certified irrigated acres; includes 2012 Zimmatic pivot and irrigation equipment
Tract 2: 320 acres at $5,300/acre; 267.48 certified irrigated acres; includes two 2007 pivots, gearhead, and updated well components
These transactions highlight the diversity of Nebraska’s land base — from high‑quality tillable acres in the east to pivot‑irrigated tracts in the northeast — and reinforce the value of consistent, verified reporting across the Midwest. Read more from Farm Progress: Land in Demand but not much supply on the Market
Subscribers can explore full sale details, historical trends, and county‑level data through Land Sales Bulletin’s reports and digital tools.
May is National Beef Month and we’re celebrating our top ranked Midwest states: Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota!
Join us in showing appreciation for the cattle ranchers who rise early each day to rustle up their herds and provide food for the world; the U.S. beef industry is still the largest in the world! See a complete list of all U.S. states:May is National Beef Month and we’re celebrating our top ranked Midwest states: Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota!
Join us in showing appreciation for the cattle ranchers who rise early each day to rustle up their herds and provide food for the world; the U.S. beef industry is still the largest in the world! See a complete list of all U.S. states: U.S. Head of Cattle – January 1 2025 and 2026
Nebraska remains a key state within Land Sales Bulletin’s 10‑state Midwest reporting region, and the latest preliminary data from the 2026 University of Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey reflects a market adjusting to tighter margins and shifting sector strength.
Statewide farmland values dipped 1% to $3,905 per acre, marking the second consecutive year of decline as crop producers face narrower margins and softer receipts. In contrast, grazing and hay land values rose 4% to 7%, supported by strong cattle prices and historically low cow herd numbers.
Regional differences remain notable:
East District continues to lead at $9,315/acre (down 1%).
North Region saw the strongest gains, up 4%.
Southeast District posted the largest decline at –3%.
Cash rents followed similar patterns, with cropland rents slipping 1% to 9% depending on land type, while pasture rents strengthened.
As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s core Midwest reporting states, Nebraska’s evolving land values, rental trends, and sector‑specific pressures continue to shape the broader regional story. The final UNL report, expected in June, will add detail on land grades, transaction characteristics, and auction trends. Read more from Farm Progress: Average Nebraska farmland values drop for second straight year
Across the Midwest, farmland is more than acreage—it is heritage, livelihood, and the foundation of rural communities. Yet despite its importance, reliable information about what land actually sells for can be surprisingly difficult to find. That’s where Land Sales Bulletin plays a vital role.
For more than three decades, Land Sales Bulletin (LSB) has served as one of the Midwest’s most trusted sources for rural land sales. In a region where agriculture shapes local economies, family legacies, and community identity, LSB provides something essential: accurate, timely, recorded county‑level land sale data. Our data provides a clear, factual picture of the land market—free from speculation, rumor, or inflated auction chatter.
What Land Sales Bulletin Does
LSB focuses exclusively on recorded land sales of 20 acres or more, across 10 core Midwest states: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, pulled directly from county courthouse records. This means:
No pending sales
No auction estimates
No unverifiable numbers
Just finalized, documented transactions that reflect real market activity.
Each sale includes county‑level detail—acres, price, land type, soil ratings, PINS, and buyer/seller information when available—giving farmers, landowners, brokers, lenders, appraisers, investors, and rural communities the transparency they need to make informed decisions.
Why This Matters to the Public
Even for residents who are not involved in agriculture, land sales influence daily life:
Local businesses depend on strong farm income.
Schools and infrastructure rely on stable property valuations.
Community planning requires understanding how land use is changing.
Economic development hinges on the health of rural land markets.
Accurate land‑sale reporting puts boots on the ground and helps ensure fairness, transparency, and informed decision‑making across the region.
The Human Story Behind Every Sale
Every land sale represents a turning point:
A retiring farmer passing land to the next generation
A young operator expanding to stay competitive
A family settling an estate
A community adjusting to new ownership
LSB’s role is to document these transitions with accuracy, timeliness and regard. By preserving the facts, LSB helps ensure that decisions—large and small—are grounded in facts.
Midwest Land Use: What the Data Shows
LSB’s 10 Midwest states remain among the most agriculturally productive in the nation. According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture:
Iowa leads the region with nearly 30 million acres of farmland.
Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, and South Dakota each maintain more than 20 million acres.
North Dakota remains heavily agricultural, dominated by row crops and small grains.
Michigan and Ohio have smaller totals but maintain diverse production bases.
Wisconsin continues to balance dairy, forage, and specialty crops.
Across the region, one trend is clear: fewer farms, larger operations, and continued consolidation. Iowa was the only state in the group to gain farms between 2017 and 2022; all others saw declines.
When combined, LSB states contain roughly 260 million acres of farmland—representing nearly 30% of all U.S. farmland. That concentration underscores the Midwest’s role as the core of U.S. food, feed, and fuel production.
How Land Sales Bulletin Supports the Region
LSB’s subscriptions provide:
Completed, documented land sales of 20+ acres
State and county‑level detail on actual recorded sale transactions
Historical back data for market trend analysis
Reliable benchmarks for appraisals, lending, and estate planning
Consistent reporting across 10 states that anchor American agriculture
Because nearly one‑third of U.S. farmland lies within these states, LSB’s reporting helps shape national understanding of land values and market trends.
What Sets Us Apart
Our strength lies in our hands-on analysis of land sales data by local Midwest-trained land sales data specialists. This expertise ensures every documented land sale transaction is carefully reviewed and contextualized, providing unparalleled insight into the true market dynamics of the region. Our specialists bring knowledge and experience, making our data not just accurate, but actionable for farmers, landowners, realtors, lenders, investors, and appraisers alike.
Additionally, Land Sales Bulletin distinguishes itself through its commitment to transparency and consistency. We source data exclusively from official county courthouse records, ensuring that every sale reported is a complete, documented transaction. This rigorous approach eliminates speculation and provides stakeholders with trustworthy, timely information. Our ongoing dedication to quality makes us the Midwest’s most reliable land sales resource and choice for rural land sales data.
A Clearer Future for Midwest Land Markets
With rising farmland values, increasing investor participation, and ongoing consolidation, the need for transparent and documented land sale information has never been greater. Land Sales Bulletin is committed to delivering the clarity, consistency, and integrity Midwest rural real estate professionals rely on—supporting informed decisions and honoring the land and communities we serve.
Farmland values across the Upper Midwest continue to be defined by one theme: stability. Despite tighter margins and higher production costs, producers in our Midwest reporting states of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota remain supported by strong balance sheets and historically limited land supply.
The article highlights meaningful differences across the region. Iowa is seeing lower auction volume and modest softening in returns. Nebraska remains steady, with high‑quality tracts still drawing strong interest. South Dakota stands out as the exception, posting increased sales activity and double‑digit gains in pastureland values over the past year.
Local buyers continue to dominate the market, and financing is becoming a more common strategic tool. With supply still constrained and fundamentals holding firm, the Midwest land market remains balanced and resilient — a story where stability itself is the headline. Farm Progress: Here’s the secret to steady farmland values
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.
