Wisconsin farmland – Land Sales Bulletin

Recent Farmland Sales Highlight Activity Across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest Reporting States

Jennifer Moran | October 17, 2026

October’s farmland market delivered another round of finalized sales across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states of Iowa, North Dakota and Wisconsin, with neighboring Missouri also posting a notable result. DTN Progressive Farmer’s Landwatch update provides a clear snapshot of regional demand, soil productivity, and buyer interest.

Key Highlights

Iowa — Dallas County recorded a 351-acre auction selling in three tracts for $3.7 million averaging $11,033 per acre The property includes a 158-acre parcel with a soil productivity rating of 83.3 and balanced corn and soybean base acres Additional tracts include a 112-acre parcel with strong corn and soybean yields and an 81-acre tract with a soil productivity index of 88.4
Missouri (Neighboring) — Pettis County reported a 96-acre online auction selling for $678,476 averaging $7,100 per acre The farm is 86% tillable with a soil productivity index of 67.1 and includes wildlife habitat with deer and turkey hunting opportunities
North Dakota — Kidder County saw a 160-acre online auction selling for $528,000 averaging $3,300 per acre The property is currently used for hay with a soil productivity index of 39.9 and supports habitat for waterfowl and upland birds in the prairie pothole region
Wisconsin — Dane County recorded an 82-acre auction selling for $1.1 million averaging $13,125 per acre The farm includes 76 tillable acres with a soil productivity index of 77.8 and 6 acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program until 2033

Read the full DTN Progressive Farmer article: Landwatch Weekly Recent Farmland Sales in Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin

Federal Reserve’s 7th District Shows Flattening Farmland Values as Credit Pressures Rise

Jennifer Moran | September 14, 2026

Farmland values across the Federal Reserve’s 7th District held steady in the second quarter of 2024, marking the slowest growth since late 2024, according to Farm Progress reporting based on a survey of 79 agricultural lenders . The district covers several of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, including Iowa, northern Illinois, Indiana, southern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s lower peninsula .

Highlights

Iowa led the region with a 4% annual gain in farmland values .
Illinois posted a modest 1% increase, while Indiana values declined 3% and Wisconsin fell 2% .
When adjusted for inflation, district farmland values declined 3.71% year over year, the largest real drop since Q3 2016 .
Non‑ag buyers, including solar and data center developers, continue influencing land markets across the Midwest states .
Credit concerns are mounting, with major or severe repayment problems rising to 3.7% of district farm loans, the highest level since 2020 .
Not a single lender reported improved repayment rates compared to last year, and 27% indicated repayment rates are declining .

Farmland values may be flattening, but credit pressures are building across the Midwest. For LSB’s reporting states, the combination of stable nominal values and rising financial stress underscores the importance of monitoring both land markets and lending conditions heading into 2027.

Listen or Read more from Farm Progress: https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-business/farmland-values-flatten-as-credit-concerns-mount

Eastern Wisconsin Farmland Values Rise with Dairy Demand

Jennifer Moran | August 21, 2026

Compeer Financial’s latest report from author Jeff Jens highlights one of the strongest year over year increases in our Midwest region. Dairy operators continue to compete for nearby cropland, tightening supply and supporting premium prices across eastern Wisconsin. As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s valued customers, Compeer Financial provides essential insight into the market forces shaping farmland values across our Midwest states.

Midwest State Highlights

Wisconsin: limited cropland availability and strong dairy demand continue to push values higher. Calumet County benchmark cropland rose about 25 percent year over year, with multiple 2026 sales exceeding $20,000 per acre and one reaching $24,000 per acre.
Minnesota: dairy influenced competition persists in regions where feed production and facility upgrades mirror Wisconsin’s operational needs.
Iowa: strong livestock sectors and tight supply of high-quality cropland continue to support firm operator driven values across the state.

Key Market Drivers

Nearby cropland helps dairies control long term operational costs by reducing hauling distance for feed and manure.
Limited land availability in east central Wisconsin ensures strong buyer competition whenever quality acres come to market.
Dairy facility upgrades and multi-site operations continue across the region, influenced by construction costs and long-term growth planning.
Solar, wind, and data center development add complexity to rural land markets and can redirect capital into agricultural purchases elsewhere.

Compeer Financial’s full report provides deeper context on how dairy economics, construction costs and broader market pressures continue to shape land values across Wisconsin and the Midwest. Listen or read the full article by Jeff Jens: https://www.compeer.com/articles/wisconsin-farmland-values-rise-with-dairy-demand

Inflation-Adjusted Midwest Farmland Values See Steepest Drop Since 2016

Jennifer Moran | August 19, 2026

Midwest farmland values in our Midwest reporting states, showed their sharpest inflation-adjusted decline in a decade, according to the latest Chicago Fed AgLetter published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. While nominal values for good farmland held steady year-over-year, real values fell 3.7 percent — the largest drop since 2016 . Lenders across the region also reported weakening credit conditions and rising repayment challenges.

Midwest State Highlights (LSB Reporting States):

Illinois: Year-over-year farmland values increased, supported partly by outside investment activity including solar and data centers.
Indiana: Farmland values decreased year-over-year as credit conditions weakened and repayment issues rose.
Iowa: Values increased year-over-year, though lenders noted commodity price volatility and elevated production expenses weighing on conditions.
Wisconsin: Values decreased year-over-year, with lenders noting outside pressure from solar and data center demand may eventually plateau.

Only 5 percent of lenders expect farmland values to rise in the next quarter, while 81 percent anticipate stability and 14 percent expect declines.

Publisher: Farm Policy News

Report link: https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/agletter/2025-2029/august-2026

Second Quarter Farmland Values Hold Steady Across the Midwest

Jennifer Moran | August 14, 2026

Midwest farmland values were unchanged in the second quarter of 2026 according to AgLetter, No. 2013, August 2026 from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. While overall District values were flat year over year, the report shows a mixed picture across Land Sales Bulletin’s core Midwest reporting states.

Key summary points

Illinois farmland values posted year-over-year gains.
Iowa also recorded increases, supported in part by investment activity tied to data centers and renewable energy projects.
Indiana farmland values declined compared with last year.
Wisconsin saw year-over-year decreases and lenders noted expectations that values may plateau as outside pressures ease

Credit conditions across the District weakened, with repayment challenges rising to their highest level since 2020. Lenders also reported lower repayment rates and higher renewals and extensions on non-real-estate farm loans.

Read the full report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/agletter/2025-2029/august-2026

August Farmland Sales Snapshot Across the Midwest

Jennifer Moran | August 3, 2026

Midwest farmland activity remained steady heading into August, with finalized sales reported across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. DTN Progressive Farmer’s Landwatch Weekly highlights a mix of cropland, CRP acres, timber value, and recreational tracts that continue to shape our Midwest regional market momentum.
Key Midwest Highlights:

Illinois: Whiteside County farm sold for $10,811 per acre with 93 CRP acres generating annual income through 2029 .
Indiana: Randolph County tract sold for $10,667 per acre, including tillable acres, wooded ground, a home, and a large barn .
Iowa: Hancock County farm reached $18,500 per acre with strong corn and soybean PLC yields .
Kansas: Decatur County cropland and grassland sold for $1,500 per acre with solid access and water availability .
Minnesota: Becker County property sold for $9,565 per acre featuring CRP acres, wooded areas, low ground, and strong deer habitat .
North Dakota: Pembina County farm sold for $1,994 per acre with wheat and soybean base acres and an 82 productivity index .
Wisconsin: Grant County parcels averaged $16,158 per acre, both enrolled in CRP with solid soil ratings and blacktop access .

Read the full DTN Progressive Farmer article: Progressive Farmer Landwatch Weekly August 2026

Notable Midwest Farmland Sales Strengthen Across Key Reporting States in July 2026

Jennifer Moran | July 28, 2026

American Farmland Owner report shows Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states saw strong multi‑tract auction activity in July:

Juneau County, WI multi‑tract auction sold 799.66 acres for $6,639,601, averaging $8,303 per acre
Wisconsin Tracts 1–3 each sold for $8,700 per acre, and the 11.66‑acre Tract 10 reached $13,000 per acre, reflecting premium demand for smaller parcels
Sangamon County, IL multi‑tract sale totaled $4,435,847, with top tracts selling for $16,000 and $15,200 per acre despite similar PI ratings of 126.1–129.5
Illinois Tract 4 sold for $8,300 per acre due to 20 acres of timber enrolled in permanent CREP, reducing tillable acreage despite comparable soil quality
Pocahontas County, IA auction brought consistent pricing between $10,250 and $11,050 per acre, with CSR2 ratings generally 80–85 across nine tracts
Even the lowest Iowa tract held at $9,500 per acre, showing tight buyer sentiment and strong regional reputation for productive farmland

Credit: American Farmland Owner
Article link: https://www.americanfarmlandowner.com/post/notable-midwest-sales-july-2026-highlight-multi-tract-auctions

Dairy Investment Surges Across Key Midwest States During National Dairy Month

Jennifer Moran | June 18, 2026

June’s National Dairy Month arrives at a moment when several of our Midwest states are seeing major momentum in dairy processing investment. As processors look beyond traditional strongholds, states with growing milk supplies — including Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan — are emerging as strategic hubs for future capacity.

The article highlights Iowa’s return to the nation’s top 10 dairy states, driven by herd growth along the I‑29 corridor spanning western Iowa, southwestern Minnesota, and eastern South Dakota. Wisconsin continues to draw significant investment, with more than $1.1 billion tied to its long‑standing leadership in cheese and whey production. Michigan also stands out, attracting $1.3 billion in new processing capacity as it leads the nation in milk per cow productivity.

As processors “follow the milk,” the Midwest’s expanding production base positions the region for continued growth — reinforcing the essential role our states play in the nation’s dairy landscape. Read more from Farm Progress – farm progress – the-new-dairy-gold-rush-which-states-see-investment-in-processing

Wisconsin Farmland Auction Surges to Nearly $22,000 Per Acre

Jennifer Moran | May 26, 2026

A recent auction in Stoughton, Wisconsin delivered one of the most eye‑opening sales the region has seen, with a 208‑acre farm selling for $21,946 per acre—more than triple the state’s 2025 average farmland value of $6,420 per acre. Rapid‑fire bidding pushed prices upward within minutes, driven by strong demand for high‑quality cropland and limited availability in Dane County. Nearly 50 bidders participated, but a local dairy farmer ultimately secured all five tracts offered.

The sale’s momentum has already sparked new interest among landowners considering bringing properties to market, underscoring the continued strength of premium farmland in Wisconsin—Land Sales Bulletin’s home Midwest reporting state. Read more from American Farmland Owner: Wisconsin Farm Sells for Nearly $22,000 an Acre in Rapid-Fire Auction

Wisconsin Farmland Values in 2026: Stability Driven by Supply, Equity, and Local Demand

Jennifer Moran | May 21, 2026

Our Midwest reporting state of Wisconsin farmland values in 2026 remain remarkably steady, even after several years of rapid appreciation. Peoples Company’s recent analysis shows the market has shifted into a phase that is stable, disciplined, and highly localized.

Despite expectations of a correction due to higher interest rates and tighter margins, values across much of the state have held firm. The key stabilizers: limited supply, strong owner equity, and continued demand for high‑quality parcels.

Inventory remains the defining force. Generational ownership patterns and strong financial positions have kept many high‑quality tillable acres off the open market, reducing transaction volume across Wisconsin’s agricultural counties. When productive, well‑located parcels do list, competition is intense — especially among local operators seeking strategic expansion opportunities.

Interest rates have influenced buyer behavior but have not weakened values. Well‑capitalized buyers remain active, relying less on leverage and focusing more on operational fit and long‑term efficiency.

Quality differentiation is widening. Soil productivity, access, drainage, field configuration, and proximity to existing operations are now major determinants of value potential, with top‑tier parcels commanding clear premiums. Read more: Wisconsin Farmland Values in 2026: What’s Driving the Market

For Wisconsin landowners, 2026 remains a historically favorable environment — but outcomes increasingly depend on location, accurate pricing, and hyper‑local market knowledge. As Land Sales Bulletin continues to report verified sales across the Midwest, Wisconsin stands out as a market driven by fundamentals rather than speculation.