Farmland Values Across the Upper Midwest

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthApril 8, 2026

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

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

Iowa farmland values remain remarkably steady

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 20, 2026

Despite persistently low commodity prices and a sluggish start to the year, land values across our Midwest state of Iowa remain remarkably steady. Limited supply continues to be the defining force, with few acres coming to market and a consistent pool of farmer‑buyers and long‑term investors keeping demand firm. Interest rates have held in a narrow range, and without a major shift in supply or buyer appetite, experts expect values to continue moving sideways. Recent sales across multiple counties in our Midwest reporting state show strong support for quality acres and a land market that continues to “chop sideways.” Read more from Farm Progress: Why ‘boring’ isn’t bad for steady Iowa farmland values

Iowa Farmland Market Update: Q4 2025 Results are In

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 19, 2026

Peoples Company has released the latest stats for Iowa agricultural land. While the market continues to shift, high-quality tracts remain a focal point for investors and operators alike in our Midwest reporting state.

The Q4 Numbers:

  • Average Price: $12,975/Acre
  • Price per Tillable Acre: $14,542
  • Price per CSR2 Point: $181
  • Volume: 436 tracts sold (35,698 total acres)

Find the full breakdown by district and the latest insights on our Midwest state of Iowa in their their full report: Iowa Land Values Update | 2025 Quarter 4

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.

Compeer Financial – 2026 Farmland Values Outlook

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthFebruary 3, 2026

Compeer Financial’s latest Appraisal Report episode unpacks how farmland values across our Midwest reporting states of southwestern Minnesota, northern Iowa, and eastern South Dakota continue to reflect long-term fundamentals rather than short-term commodity swings. Even with tighter crop margins, buyer demand for high-quality acres remains strong across our Midwest states. Watch or Read in their links below:

Watch: https://ow.ly/tz2v50Y5pfl

Read: https://ow.ly/UyrJ50Y5pfk

Iowa’s farmland market is entering 2026 on solid footing

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthDecember 17, 2025

While many expected farmland values to soften due to weak commodity prices throughout 2025, the reality has been stability. According to the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank’s AgLetter, land values across the district (including Iowa) rose 3% over the past year, though Iowa itself saw a modest 1% decline. The Iowa State University survey reported a 3.1% statewide average drop, yet auction results tell a story of resilience. Features 6 recent land sales from counties throughout our Midwest state of Iowa. Read more from Farm Progress – https://bit.ly/4pDbbOH

2025 Iowa State University Land Survey

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthDecember 12, 2025

Iowa Land Brokerage & Auctioneers – Whitaker Marketing Group‘s latest blog post provides a deep dive into the 2025 Iowa State University Land Survey report. “The 2025 Iowa State University Land Value Survey shows that Iowa farmland values increased 0.7% from November 2024 to November 2025, bringing the statewide average to $11,549 per acre. While this rise is modest, it signals market stability—especially following last year’s 3.1% correction and three prior years of explosive growth.” Make sure to learn more here – 2025 Iowa State Land Survey: Farmland Market Update

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