In a new analysis from Doug Hensley, President of Hertz Real Estate Services, Iowa enters the 2026 growing season on “stable legs” thanks to limited land supply and continued buyer demand. Hensley outlines three forces that will shape the direction of Iowa’s land market through the second half of the year: crop prospects, geopolitics, and interest rates.

Iowa farmers — who continue to purchase 70% to 75% of row‑crop farms offered to the market — remain closely tied to in‑season yield expectations, influencing how aggressive they are in bidding for land. Geopolitical variables, including China’s soybean demand and the economic ripple effects of the Iran conflict, add further uncertainty for commodity prices and farm‑level profitability. Meanwhile, interest rate direction remains a critical watchpoint as inflation pressures push borrowing costs higher.

Despite these moving parts, recent Iowa sales — from Sioux County’s $26,600/acre auction to strong CSR2‑adjusted prices across counties like Story, Cedar, and Marion — reinforce the market’s underlying stability. Farm Progress: Will stable Iowa land values continue? Watch these 3 factors

As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, Iowa continues to demonstrate resilience, disciplined demand, and a market that rewards high‑quality farmland even in a complex economic environment.