Land Sales Bulletin

Illinois Farmland Auctions Surpass $40 Million in March

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthApril 28, 2026

Illinois farmland sales remained strong in March 2026, with more than 4,100 acres changing hands and total transactions exceeding $40.4 million. Activity spanned key agricultural counties including Grundy, Hancock, and McLean, where high-quality Class A tracts continued to draw competitive bidding from both local operators and investors.

Notable sales included two 120.52‑acre tracts in Grundy County that sold for $16,900 per acre, reflecting strong demand for highly productive soils with PI ratings above county averages. In Hancock County, a 138.69‑acre tract sold for $7,775 per acre, supported by strong organic matter and fertility advantages. McLean County saw 72.55 acres sell for $15,600 per acre, backed by strong yield history and solid soil productivity.

Market analysts note that despite higher interest rates and elevated input costs, Illinois farmland values remain resilient. Limited supply, strong balance sheets, and steady investor interest continue to support pricing across the state—one of Land Sales Bulletin’s 10 Midwest reporting states. Read more from Successful Farming: Illinois Farmland Auctions Bring Over $40 Million in March

Illinois Farmland Auctions Bring Over $40 Million in March - Successful Farming 4-23-2026

Illinois Farmland Values Expected to Ease in 2026

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthApril 27, 2026

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.

Read more: Steady to small decrease expected for farmland values – AgriNews

Illinois Farmland Leasing Trends Show Stability Heading Into 2027

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthApril 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: Illinois 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

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthApril 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 Hold Firm Across the Midwest Despite Weaker Farm Finances

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthMarch 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: americanfarmlandowner.com

Midwest Farmland Values – “The Selective Strength” Era

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthMarch 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.

Midwest farmland values ended 2025 with resilient growth

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 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.

Illinois farmland prices recalibrate: What sellers need to know

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthDecember 16, 2025

Illinois farmland prices for Midwest reporting state, fell by 4.5% in November 2025, driven by fewer sales and cautious farmer sentiment. However, the market isn’t entirely cooling. Institutional buyers—such as investment funds and pension groups—are emerging as new players, showing confidence in farmland’s long-term value. Read more from Farm Progress – https://bit.ly/4aZtNUu

Farm Progress Report

Midwest Farmland: Rising Values Amid Credit Challenges

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthDecember 8, 2025

Midwest farmland for our reporting states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin continues to prove its resilience, with values climbing 3% over the past year. Yet, beneath the optimism lies a tightening credit environment that could reshape the landscape for buyers and investors. While some states are seeing stronger gains than others, the overall trend underscores farmland’s enduring role as a cornerstone of Midwest wealth and investment. Read more from American Farmland Owner – Land Values Report Shows Increase for Key Midwest States

American Farmland Owner - Land Values Report Shows Increase for Key Midwest States

Midwest Farmland Values Moved Up Modestly in the Third Quarter

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthNovember 14, 2025

“According to the most recent AgLetter, Seventh District farmland values in the third quarter of 2025 were 3% higher than a year ago.” Read more on the land values for our Midwest reporting states Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin: Midwest Farmland Values Moved Up Modestly in the Third Quarter – Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Download their full report: Ag Letter No 2010 November 2025 Full Publication

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