Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting state of Illinois enters August with more than 1,623 acres of farmland scheduled for auction across 13 counties, according to Successful Farming. Offerings range from Class A row‑crop tracts with high soil productivity to parcels featuring wind‑lease income, CRP‑supported acres, and strong accessibility, giving buyers a diverse slate of opportunities statewide.
Key Illinois Highlights:
Douglas County: three‑tract auction totaling 114.77 acres with PI ratings of 139.5, 140.3, and 132.5, plus grain storage assets and open 2027 tenancy
Jersey County: 80 acres averaging 132.65 PI, with roughly 50 acres over 138 PI, well above county averages
DeWitt County: 109.54‑acre Class A farm with wind turbine income estimated at $26,384.24 for 2026, PI 139.7, and open 2027 tenancy
Statewide Auctions: at least 12 additional auctions planned, with tracts ranging 40–170 acres across western, central, and southern Illinois
Midwest farmland activity remained steady heading into August, with finalized sales reported across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. DTN Progressive Farmer’s Landwatch Weekly highlights a mix of cropland, CRP acres, timber value, and recreational tracts that continue to shape our Midwest regional market momentum. Key Midwest Highlights:
Illinois: Whiteside County farm sold for $10,811 per acre with 93 CRP acres generating annual income through 2029 .
Indiana: Randolph County tract sold for $10,667 per acre, including tillable acres, wooded ground, a home, and a large barn .
Iowa: Hancock County farm reached $18,500 per acre with strong corn and soybean PLC yields .
Kansas: Decatur County cropland and grassland sold for $1,500 per acre with solid access and water availability .
Minnesota: Becker County property sold for $9,565 per acre featuring CRP acres, wooded areas, low ground, and strong deer habitat .
North Dakota: Pembina County farm sold for $1,994 per acre with wheat and soybean base acres and an 82 productivity index .
Wisconsin: Grant County parcels averaged $16,158 per acre, both enrolled in CRP with solid soil ratings and blacktop access .
American Farmland Owner report shows Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states saw strong multi‑tract auction activity in July:
Juneau County, WI multi‑tract auction sold 799.66 acres for $6,639,601, averaging $8,303 per acre
Wisconsin Tracts 1–3 each sold for $8,700 per acre, and the 11.66‑acre Tract 10 reached $13,000 per acre, reflecting premium demand for smaller parcels
Sangamon County, IL multi‑tract sale totaled $4,435,847, with top tracts selling for $16,000 and $15,200 per acre despite similar PI ratings of 126.1–129.5
Illinois Tract 4 sold for $8,300 per acre due to 20 acres of timber enrolled in permanent CREP, reducing tillable acreage despite comparable soil quality
Pocahontas County, IA auction brought consistent pricing between $10,250 and $11,050 per acre, with CSR2 ratings generally 80–85 across nine tracts
Even the lowest Iowa tract held at $9,500 per acre, showing tight buyer sentiment and strong regional reputation for productive farmland
Illinois farmland values rose sharply from 2020 to 2023, then held steady or eased slightly through 2025, even as farmer returns fell and turned negative on many cash‑rented acres. Excellent‑productivity farmland climbed 57 percent during the upswing, then declined only 5 percent from its 2023 peak.
Cash rents followed a similar pattern, rising quickly during strong return years, then barely adjusting downward when returns weakened.
Federal programs, including crop insurance, ARC and PLC, and recent ad hoc assistance, continue to buffer income and slow cost‑structure adjustments across Illinois agriculture.
These dynamics explain why farmland prices have not retreated meaningfully and why rent negotiations remain tight heading into 2026 for our Midwest reporting state of Illinois.
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
Illinois farmland sales remained steady through the first quarter of 2026, with more than 10,190 acres changing hands and total reported sales topping $103.5 million. Most transactions clustered between $10,000 and $13,000 per acre, reflecting a balanced, stable market despite broader economic pressures.
One of the most notable trends was the continued strength of smaller tracts under 80 acres, which averaged $11,443 per acre, outpacing larger farms by roughly $640 per acre.Local farmers remained the dominant buyers, accounting for 57% of purchases statewide.
Top-end parcels continued to command premiums, with several sales exceeding $20,000 per acre in counties such as Hancock, Effingham, and Christian. While market signals point to ongoing volatility, Illinois farmland values overall remain supported by strong local demand and consistent pricing. Successful Farming: Illinois Farmland Sales Top $103 Million in Q1 as Small Tracts Outpace Larger Farms
As always, Land Sales Bulletin, reporting finalized land sales across its 10‑state Midwest region—including Illinois—continues to track these trends to keep buyers, sellers, and advisors informed.
Illinois farm managers expect farmland values to soften slightly in 2026, with most anticipating a 1%–5% decline and some projecting up to 10%. According to the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, excellent farmland averaged $15,846 per acre in 2025, down 3% from the prior year, while good‑quality land held steady. Recreational land, however, saw an 11% increase.
Shifts in cash rent expectations, tighter farmer liquidity, and broader economic pressures—including fertilizer costs and global conflict—are shaping the outlook. As Illinois remains a core state within Land Sales Bulletin’s 10‑state Midwest reporting region, readers can track verified sales and market trends across the region with consistent, county‑level detail.
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.
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.
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.
