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.
Across the Midwest, farmland is more than acreage—it is heritage, livelihood, and the foundation of rural communities. Yet despite its importance, reliable information about what land actually sells for can be surprisingly difficult to find. That’s where Land Sales Bulletin plays a vital role.
For more than three decades, Land Sales Bulletin (LSB) has served as one of the Midwest’s most trusted sources for rural land sales. In a region where agriculture shapes local economies, family legacies, and community identity, LSB provides something essential: accurate, timely, recorded county‑level land sale data. Our data provides a clear, factual picture of the land market—free from speculation, rumor, or inflated auction chatter.
What Land Sales Bulletin Does
LSB focuses exclusively on recorded land sales of 20 acres or more, across 10 core Midwest states: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, pulled directly from county courthouse records. This means:
No pending sales
No auction estimates
No unverifiable numbers
Just finalized, documented transactions that reflect real market activity.
Each sale includes county‑level detail—acres, price, land type, soil ratings, PINS, and buyer/seller information when available—giving farmers, landowners, brokers, lenders, appraisers, investors, and rural communities the transparency they need to make informed decisions.
Why This Matters to the Public
Even for residents who are not involved in agriculture, land sales influence daily life:
Local businesses depend on strong farm income.
Schools and infrastructure rely on stable property valuations.
Community planning requires understanding how land use is changing.
Economic development hinges on the health of rural land markets.
Accurate land‑sale reporting puts boots on the ground and helps ensure fairness, transparency, and informed decision‑making across the region.
The Human Story Behind Every Sale
Every land sale represents a turning point:
A retiring farmer passing land to the next generation
A young operator expanding to stay competitive
A family settling an estate
A community adjusting to new ownership
LSB’s role is to document these transitions with accuracy, timeliness and regard. By preserving the facts, LSB helps ensure that decisions—large and small—are grounded in facts.
Midwest Land Use: What the Data Shows
LSB’s 10 Midwest states remain among the most agriculturally productive in the nation. According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture:
Iowa leads the region with nearly 30 million acres of farmland.
Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, and South Dakota each maintain more than 20 million acres.
North Dakota remains heavily agricultural, dominated by row crops and small grains.
Michigan and Ohio have smaller totals but maintain diverse production bases.
Wisconsin continues to balance dairy, forage, and specialty crops.
Across the region, one trend is clear: fewer farms, larger operations, and continued consolidation. Iowa was the only state in the group to gain farms between 2017 and 2022; all others saw declines.
When combined, LSB states contain roughly 260 million acres of farmland—representing nearly 30% of all U.S. farmland. That concentration underscores the Midwest’s role as the core of U.S. food, feed, and fuel production.
How Land Sales Bulletin Supports the Region
LSB’s subscriptions provide:
Completed, documented land sales of 20+ acres
State and county‑level detail on actual recorded sale transactions
Historical back data for market trend analysis
Reliable benchmarks for appraisals, lending, and estate planning
Consistent reporting across 10 states that anchor American agriculture
Because nearly one‑third of U.S. farmland lies within these states, LSB’s reporting helps shape national understanding of land values and market trends.
What Sets Us Apart
Our strength lies in our hands-on analysis of land sales data by local Midwest-trained land sales data specialists. This expertise ensures every documented land sale transaction is carefully reviewed and contextualized, providing unparalleled insight into the true market dynamics of the region. Our specialists bring knowledge and experience, making our data not just accurate, but actionable for farmers, landowners, realtors, lenders, investors, and appraisers alike.
Additionally, Land Sales Bulletin distinguishes itself through its commitment to transparency and consistency. We source data exclusively from official county courthouse records, ensuring that every sale reported is a complete, documented transaction. This rigorous approach eliminates speculation and provides stakeholders with trustworthy, timely information. Our ongoing dedication to quality makes us the Midwest’s most reliable land sales resource and choice for rural land sales data.
A Clearer Future for Midwest Land Markets
With rising farmland values, increasing investor participation, and ongoing consolidation, the need for transparent and documented land sale information has never been greater. Land Sales Bulletin is committed to delivering the clarity, consistency, and integrity Midwest rural real estate professionals rely on—supporting informed decisions and honoring the land and communities we serve.
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
FinCEN now requires detailed reporting when 1–4 unit residential property is purchased or transferred through an LLC, partnership, or trust. While aimed at urban markets, this rule reaches into agriculture because so many farm operations hold residential structures inside business entities for liability protection and succession planning.
That means common farm scenarios may now trigger reporting, including:
Buying a farm with a residence through an LLC
Transferring a farmhouse into a family entity
Purchasing residential parcels adjacent to farmland
Cash or seller‑financed deals involving a dwelling
Even when the primary purpose is agricultural, the presence of a residence brings the rule into play. Closing professionals must report beneficial owners, entity details, payment sources, and property information — adding time and documentation to many transactions.
Why it matters: Farm families who rely on LLCs and trusts for operational and estate planning will see more disclosure requirements and should prepare early to avoid closing delays.
At Land Sales Bulletin, we continue to monitor regulatory changes that influence how land is bought, sold, and transferred across our 10‑state Midwest region. Our mission remains the same: deliver verified, county‑level land sale data and keep our customers informed on the policies shaping today’s land market. Farm Progress: New FinCEN rule could affect farm real estate transactions
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
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
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
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.
