Premium agricultural ground in central Iowa continues to command aggressive bidding when high-quality tracts hit the open market. As part of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting state of Iowa coverage, we track these major local transactions to keep you informed on the latest regional market trends and to serve as your go-to resource for area land value data. A recent auction in Dallas County highlighted this ongoing competitive drive, proving that buyers are still willing to pay top dollar for well-positioned farms with excellent production histories.
The auction featured a 481.3-acre farm property located northeast of Dallas Center. Marketed by Farmers National Co. on behalf of Brenton Brothers, Inc., the land was divided into six tracts and sold using a high bidder’s choice format.
Key details from the benchmark auction include:
- Total Sales Volume. The six tracts combined for a total sales price of $5,849,610, averaging nearly $12,154 per acre across the entire property.
- Top Tract Pricing. Tract 6 brought the highest individual valuation of the day, selling for $15,200 per acre for the 47.6-acre parcel.
- Strong Soil Profile. The offered tracts carried average CSR2 soil ratings above 80, with several parcels featuring nearly 100% cropland and peak CSR2 ratings around 86.5.
- Diverse Local Buyers. The land will remain in agricultural production, with purchases split among established neighborhood farm operators, adjoining landowners, and Stine Seed Co.
While overall Iowa farmland values have moderated from recent historical peaks, this transaction underscores the steady demand for premium acres. Land boasting high percentages of tillable acreage, efficient field layouts, and strong local access continues to outpace broader market softening.
Author: Brooke Bouma Kohlsdorf, for Successful Farming: Iowa Farm Sale Tops $15,000 an Acre as Buyers Compete
