Land Values Archives - Land Sales Bulletin

June 2026 Farmland Market Update: Stability Holds Across the Corn Belt

Jennifer Moran | June 15, 2026

Hertz Real Estate Services’ June 2026 Farmland Market Update highlights a land market that remains steady across the Corn Belt, even as producers navigate tighter margins and shifting interest‑rate expectations. Hear from their President, Doug Hensley, shares the latest on farmland values, current market conditions, and key factors influencing the land market – Hertz Farmland Market Update Videos

Across the Midwest, Land Sales Bulletin’s finalized land sale data reflects the same trend: resilient pricing for top‑tier cropland across our Corn Belt states. While softer commodity prices and elevated input costs are creating pressure, neither has meaningfully disrupted the market’s underlying strength.

As both a trusted customer and a leading voice in the farmland industry, proud to share Hertz’s latest update. Make sure to sign up to have their Farmland Market Updates land in your inbox: https://www.hertz.ag/subscribe

South Dakota Farmland Market Update: Stability Driven by Local Demand

Jennifer Moran | June 12, 2026

South Dakota continues to demonstrate steady strength and stability in the Midwest farmland market, supported by limited supply, strong operator interest, and stable cash rents. As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, South Dakota remains a key region where finalized sales data helps producers, lenders, and landowners understand real-time market conditions.

Recent insights from ASFMRA‘s South Dakota Ag Update highlight several consistent themes. High-quality tracts continue to draw competitive bidding, with local producers leading most purchases. Investor activity remains present but secondary to operator demand. Cash rents are holding firm across much of the state, supported by strong balance sheets and the ongoing scarcity of acres coming to market.

With planting season progressing and producers optimistic about field conditions, the overall outlook remains steady. Limited supply continues to be the defining factor supporting values, even as margins tighten and operating costs rise.

Tune in to learn more in ASFMRAs South Dakota Ag Update.

Land Sales Bulletin will continue to track finalized sales across South Dakota and the broader Midwest to keep the market informed.

Midwest Farmland Values Hold Firm as 2026 Begins: Insights from the Chicago Fed’s Q1 AgLetter

Jennifer Moran | May 15, 2026

The Chicago Federal Reserve’s latest AgLetter shows that Midwest farmland values continue to demonstrate steady resilience heading into 2026. According to Seventh District data, agricultural land values were up 3% from a year earlier in the first quarter, even as “good” farmland saw a slight 1% dip from Q4 2025.

Surveyed lenders reported lower demand for farmland purchases compared with the same period last year, and the amount of farmland for sale also declined heading into early spring. Acreage sold followed the same trend, with fewer farms and fewer acres changing hands year over year.

Cash rents softened across much of the region, with the District seeing a 3% decrease in 2026—the second consecutive annual decline. State‑level shifts varied: rents were up 2% in Indiana, but down in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Credit conditions weakened as well. Lenders reported lower repayment rates, higher renewals and extensions, and continued strong demand for operating loans—now up for the tenth straight quarter. Nearly 17% of borrowers carried more debt into 2026 than the prior year. Read more: https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/agletter/2025-2029/may-2026

For Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin—these findings reinforce what our weekly finalized sales continue to show: a market adjusting to tighter credit and softer rent structures, yet still anchored by long‑term demand and the enduring strength of Midwest agriculture.

Producer Sentiment, Land Value Expectations & Why Finalized Midwest Sales Data Matters

Jennifer Moran | May 6, 2026

Producer sentiment continues to diverge sharply depending on how farmers view the direction of land values. The March 2026 Purdue University–CME Group Ag Economy Barometer shows that only 10% of producers expect land values to decline, while 35% expect them to rise over the next 12 months . Those expecting higher values also reported stronger current conditions and more optimism about future financial performance—with a Financial Performance Index of 111 compared to 93 among those expecting declines .

High input costs remain the top concern for both groups, though the pressure is felt more intensely among producers anticipating lower land values . And when asked what’s driving land values locally, the groups split: those expecting declines pointed to net farm income, while those expecting increases cited alternative investments as the biggest influence .

Why Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest Data Is Essential

Understanding producer sentiment is valuable—but sentiment alone doesn’t move markets. Finalized sales do.

That’s where Land Sales Bulletin provides critical clarity. By documenting finalized, completed farmland sales across 10 Midwest states, LSB delivers the ground‑truth data needed to interpret sentiment shifts in real time. When producers express optimism or caution, LSB’s county‑level sales reports show whether actual transactions reflect those expectations—or diverge from them.

In a moment when producers are split on the direction of land values, LSB’s consistent sales data helps land professionals, lenders, appraisers, and producers distinguish perception from market reality. It’s the difference between watching the weather forecast and checking the rain gauge.

As the ag economy continues to evolve, pairing sentiment indicators with verified Midwest sales data offers the most complete picture of where farmland values may be headed next. Read more from farmdocdaily: Producer Sentiment and Land Value Expectations – farmdoc daily
Download the full report: Producer-Sentiment-and-Land-Value-Expectations Report- fdd050126

North Dakota Farmland Market Shows Strength Through Discipline

Jennifer Moran | April 20, 2026

A major North Dakota land auction—spanning 4,398 acres across four counties, brought in $21.82 million, landing nearly even with its two‑year‑old appraisal. The results highlight what we’re seeing across the region: buyers remain active, but they’re more selective than in past peak years. Some tracts soared above 120% of appraisal values, while others settled lower, reflecting a market that rewards high‑quality soils, strong access, and proven productivity.

As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, North Dakota continues to demonstrate that while the market isn’t at the highs of 2022, it remains far from collapsing. Demand is steady, capital is active, and buyers are selective, reflecting a more mature, disciplined phase of the land cycle. Farm Progress: North Dakota auction shows a disciplined but still strong land market

North Dakota Auction Shows a Disciplined but Still Strong Land Market

Farmland Values Hold Firm Across the Midwest Despite Weaker Farm Finances

Jennifer Moran | March 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: americanfarmlan d owner.com

Iowa farmland values remain remarkably steady

Jennifer Moran | February 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

Compeer Financial – 2026 Farmland Values Outlook

Jennifer Moran | February 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

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

Jennifer Moran | January 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 Farming – The 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

Nebraska Farmland Prices — 2024 vs. 2025 Market Update

Jennifer Moran | December 31, 2025

Whitaker Marketing Group Auctions and Real Estate continues its expansion and services into our Midwest reporting state of Nebraska. If you’re evaluating your land’s position in today’s market, data‑driven insights and local expertise remain key to making informed decisions. Don’t miss their Nebraska Farmland Prices — 2024 vs. 2025 Market Update highlighted below:

Nebraska’s farmland market softened in 2025. Average prices dipped 4.35%, total sales volume fell nearly 20%, and fewer acres hit the market statewide. Buyer selectivity and reduced urgency shaped a more cautious, balanced land market across Nebraska. View the full report here: Nebraska Farmland Prices: 2024 vs 2025 Market Update