Midwest Farmland Archives - Land Sales Bulletin

Farmland Values Across the Upper Midwest

MktgLSB | April 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 across the Midwest remain steady

MktgLSB | April 6, 2026

Farmland values across the Midwest continue to hold steady—even inching upward in places—despite softer commodity prices and persistently high input costs. Recent insights from the Chicago Fed and the Iowa Realtors Land Institute show modest value increases across key crop districts, with tillable acres remaining especially resilient.

Industry experts point to several forces supporting today’s land market: limited supply, strong farmer demand, reinvestment through 1031 exchanges, and ongoing pressure from residential, commercial, and data‑center development. Farmland also remains a favored hedge against inflation, keeping buyers active even in a neutral interest‑rate environment.

At Land Sales Bulletin, we see these same dynamics across our 10‑state Midwest reporting region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. With only 1.5% to 2% of farmland changing hands annually in many states, competition for quality acres remains strong, and farmers continue to make up the majority of buyers.

A steady market doesn’t mean a quiet one—just a competitive one shaped by long‑term value and tight supply: farmprogress.com

Minnesota Farmland Market Holds Steady as 2026 Outlook Improves

MktgLSB | April 1, 2026

Minnesota’s farmland market continues to demonstrate resilience heading into spring, supported by firmer commodity prices, USDA bridge payments, and improved grower sentiment. While demand isn’t at the peak levels seen from 2021–2023, values across the state remain steady, with recent sales showing strong productivity indexes and competitive per‑acre prices

As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, Minnesota plays a key role in illustrating broader regional trends: moderated demand, lower sales volume compared to the boom years, and a market that continues to hold value despite higher interest rates and input cost uncertainty. With farmers entering the 2026 planting season facing more positives than negatives, Minnesota’s land market remains a steady anchor in the Midwest. Read more from Farm Progress: Demand for Minnesota farmland holds steady as outlooks improve

Midwest Notable Farmland Sales March 2026

MktgLSB | March 30, 2026

Our Midwest reporting states of Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska are the featured farmland sales in American Farmland Owner‘s recent Notable Sales report.

Farmland auctions across the 3 featured states show prices from $11,500 to $22,100 per acre, driven by soil quality, productivity, and location. Read details behind each sale https://www.americanfarmlandowner.com/post/midwest-notable-farmland-sales-march-2026

Farmland Values Hold Firm Across the Midwest Despite Weaker Farm Finances

MktgLSB | 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

Midwest Farmland Values – “The Selective Strength” Era

MktgLSB | March 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.

Nebraska Land Market Shows Quiet Strength

MktgLSB | March 12, 2026

Nebraska continues to demonstrate why Midwest farmland market remains one of the most resilient asset classes. Despite softer commodity prices, verified sales across the state show values holding firm — a trend echoed across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region.

Recent Nebraska transactions highlight the diversity of demand:

Greeley County pasture brought $3,600/acre, supported by recreational appeal and steady local interest.
Platte County pivot‑irrigated cropland surged to $14,650/acre, reflecting the premium placed on high‑quality, rarely available acres.
Merrick County irrigated tracts sold between $7,700 and $8,300/acre, buoyed by strong soybean yields, excellent access, and reliable water infrastructure.

Nebraska’s mix of irrigated productivity, livestock supported regions, and limited turnover keeps values supported — and reinforces the broader regional story of resilience. Read more from Farm Progress: Resilience of land markets is a surprise

Midwest Farmland Market Snapshot

MktgLSB | March 11, 2026

Farmland activity across our Midwest continues to demonstrate strength and resilience, with recent sales underscoring the diversity of land types and buyer demand across Land Sales Bulletin’s core reporting states.

Here’s a concise look at notable transactions featured in the latest Landwatch Weekly:

Indiana – A large 380‑acre Elkhart County farm sold for an average of $20,265/acre, with top tracts of productive tillable ground reaching $24,480/acre. Mixed timber‑tillable tracts followed closely behind.

Minnesota – Rock County cropland brought $17,000/acre across two tracts, supported by strong PLC yields and a productivity index above 96 — a clear indicator of continued appetite for top‑tier soils.

North Dakota – Ramsey County farmland sold for $1,975/acre, with tracts offering 63–68 PI soils and flexibility for spring wheat, peas, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and canola. Values remain steady in regions where productivity varies but cropping diversity is strong.

Across the region, buyers remain focused on soil quality, crop versatility, and long‑term productivity, even as interest rates and input costs continue to shape bidding behavior.

Land Sales Bulletin provides confirmed, recorded sales across the Midwest — ensuring transparency, accuracy, and a clear view of real market movement. Read more about the highlighted sales from Progressive Farmer: https://conta.cc/4llHfoQ

Minnesota Farmland Market Shows Wide Variability

MktgLSB | March 10, 2026

Our Midwest state of Minnesota’s farmland market remains a study in contrasts. Some sales are exceeding expectations, while others show signs of softening — and shifting buyer dynamics are playing a major role. Farmers accounted for 70% of Hertz Farm Management’s purchases in 2024, dropping to 58% in 2025 as investor activity increased.

Recent Federal Reserve data shows nonirrigated land values up 0.7% and pastureland up 12% in the 9th District, reflecting strong cattle markets. Strong A‑quality sales continue across Minnesota, with recent prices ranging from $9,779 to $12,916 per acre depending on county and CPI. Read more from Farm Progress: Strength of farmland market continues to vary across Minnesota

As always, Land Sales Bulletin’s timely, finalized land sale data across Minnesota and the broader Midwest provides essential transparency for understanding these trends and benchmarking local market performance: Midwest Land Sales Data

March 2026 Midwest Farmland Market Snapshot: Recent Auction Sales

MktgLSB | March 3, 2026

Farmland auctions across our Midwest reporting states and beyond continue to show strong momentum heading into spring 2026. Progressive Farmer’s recent Landwatch sales report, highlights steady demand for high‑quality cropland, recreational tracts, and irrigated acres, with buyers still prioritizing soil productivity, location advantages, and long‑term income potential.

Recent Auction Results Across the Our Midwest Reporting States:

Indiana – Adams County
A 95‑acre farm east of Decatur sold for $14,737/acre, featuring four mostly tillable parcels with Blount and Pewamo soils and an additional wooded tract.
Iowa – Monroe County
A 135‑acre recreational farm brought $5,400/acre, supported by hardwood timber, CRP grasses generating $11,723 annually, and strong wildlife habitat.
Nebraska – Butler County
A 159‑acre irrigated cropland farm reached $13,783/acre, supported by Hastings silt loam soils, a full‑circle pivot, and proximity to ethanol and crush plants.
Ohio – Champaign & Logan Counties
A 314‑acre farm sold in two tracts for $17,557/acre, backed by strong corn and soybean PLC yields and a balanced crop base.
South Dakota – Moody County
A 161‑acre row‑crop farm brought $12,876/acre, featuring solid PLC yields and added value from 2025 dairy manure application at no cost to the buyer.

Progressive Farmer shares sales details and more: March 2026 Recent Farmland Sales