Midwest Farmland Sales Roundup: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota & Nebraska

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJune 19, 2026

This week’s Landwatch Weekly delivers a full sweep across four of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, highlighting strong auction activity and continued buyer interest across row‑crop regions.

  • Illinois — Ogle County
    • 286 acres sold for $4.4M (avg. $14,162/acre)
    • Tracts included PIs of 135.6, 135, and 127.1
    • Mix of high‑quality cropland, small wooded areas, and older grain bins
  • Iowa — Lee County
    • 356 acres sold for $2.6M (avg. $8,750/acre)
    • Row‑crop acres with a soil rating of 48.2 plus tile and terracing
    • Features included a creek, pond, and strong whitetail habitat
    • Additional tracts with 129 tillable acres and improved tile/terrace systems
  • Minnesota — Rock County
    • 162 acres sold for $2.8M (avg. $17,000/acre)
    • Corn/soybean bases with PLC yields of 160 bu corn and 47 bu soybeans
    • Extensive drainage tile across both tracts
  • Nebraska — Keith County
    • 323 acres sold for $1.3M (avg. $4,050/acre)
    • Tract 1: 133 certified irrigated acres; Tract 2: 136 certified irrigated acres
    • Both equipped with 2004 Zimmatic 7‑tower pivots with end guns
    • Combined base acres: 233 corn, 30 soybean, 8 wheat with respective yields of 165, 60, and 48 bu/acre

Across the region, sales continue to reflect strong demand for high‑quality cropland, with tile, irrigation, and productivity ratings playing a central role in pricing. Read more from Progressive Farmer: Recent Farmland Sales in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska

Strong Buyer Interest Continues Across Midwest Land Markets

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJune 5, 2026

Recent land sales across the Midwest show that buyer demand remains steady, even as overall listings stay limited. The latest report highlights representative sales from Kansas and Missouri, along with two strong transactions from Illinois, one of Land Sales Bulletin’s core Midwest reporting states.

In Kansas, cropland in Ottawa County sold for $2,450 per acre at online auction, supported by productive silt loam soils and consistent wheat yields . Missouri’s Reynolds County pastureland brought $2,500 per acre, reflecting strong forage production and well‑maintained fencing and water infrastructure.

Illinois posted two notable sales:
Knox County: 87.78 acres sold for $8,200 per acre, offering productive tillable ground and upland game habitat.
Tazewell County: 40.3 acres reached $19,900 per acre, supported by a strong 138.5 Productivity Index and high‑quality soils including Ipava and Sable.

These sales underscore the resilience of Midwest farmland markets, where buyer interest remains high and finalized transactions continue to reflect strong regional demand. Farm Progress: https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-business/buyers-still-lining-up-for-land-sales

More Than 2,400 Acres of Illinois Farmland Head to Auction in February 2026

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJanuary 29, 2026

Our Midwest reporting state of Illinois is gearing up for a busy February, with more than 2,400 acres of farmland scheduled for auction across 11 counties. The listings range from small 28‑acre tracts to a major 600‑acre Centennial Farm offering in Christian County, reflecting a diverse mix of high‑productivity cropland, recreational parcels, and homestead‑plus‑farmland combinations. Our trusted land sales data can help demonstrate patterns emerging in Illinois’ land sales and throughout the Midwest. Find key auction highlights and more from Successful Farming: More Than 2,400 Acres of Illinois Farmland Head to Auction in February 2026

The Dramatic Shift in the U.S. Ag Land Price‑Rent Ratio

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJanuary 15, 2026

The U.S. ag land price‑rent ratio has nearly doubled since 1998 — rising from 20 to 36 — and no single economic factor fully explains why. New farmdoc analysis shows that if the ratio had held steady, today’s cropland values would be roughly 40% lower. With land making up ~80% of U.S. farm assets, understanding the drivers behind this long‑term shift is essential for lenders, investors, and producers. Read more from Successful FarmingThe Dramatic Change in U.S. Ag Land Price-Rent Ratio

Download farmdoc daily full report here: Farmdoc – Change in US Ag Land Price-Rent Radio

From New Mexico to the Midwest: What Three 2025 Land Sales Reveal About the Business of U.S. Farming

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJanuary 8, 2026

Three farmland transactions across New Mexico, and our Midwest states of Indiana and Nebraska in 2025 spotlight the extraordinary diversity of American land markets — from legacy ranches spanning hundreds of thousands of acres to century‑old family farms and recreational tracts shifting back into production. These transactions highlight the tension between conservation and profitability, the rise of innovative water‑management systems, and the enduring value of large‑scale Western ranches. Find the full breakdown from American Farmland Owner: From New Mexico to the Midwest: What Three Land Sales in 2025 Show Us about the Unique Business of U.S. Farming

What 2025 Revealed About Farmland Values

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthDecember 29, 2025

Farmland values in 2025 didn’t boom or bust — they held their ground with the USDA reporting a 4.3% national rise. In our Midwest states, Iowa saw a slight 0.7% increase while Indiana posted a standout $17K/acre sale demonstrating that beneath statewide averages, the story was far more uneven. The market is cooling, becoming more selective, and rewarding high‑quality land more than ever. Read more from American Farmland Owner – https://www.americanfarmlandowner.com/post/holding-ground-what-2025-revealed-about-farmland-values

Holding Ground: What 2025 Revealed About Farmland Values