Jennifer Moran – Land Sales Bulletin

August Illinois Farmland Auctions: 1,600+ Acres Coming to Market

Jennifer Moran | August 4, 2026

Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting state of Illinois enters August with more than 1,623 acres of farmland scheduled for auction across 13 counties, according to Successful Farming. Offerings range from Class A row‑crop tracts with high soil productivity to parcels featuring wind‑lease income, CRP‑supported acres, and strong accessibility, giving buyers a diverse slate of opportunities statewide.

Key Illinois Highlights:

Douglas County: three‑tract auction totaling 114.77 acres with PI ratings of 139.5, 140.3, and 132.5, plus grain storage assets and open 2027 tenancy
Jersey County: 80 acres averaging 132.65 PI, with roughly 50 acres over 138 PI, well above county averages
DeWitt County: 109.54‑acre Class A farm with wind turbine income estimated at $26,384.24 for 2026, PI 139.7, and open 2027 tenancy
Statewide Auctions: at least 12 additional auctions planned, with tracts ranging 40–170 acres across western, central, and southern Illinois

Read more from Successful Farming: More-than-1-623-acres-of-illinois-farmland-head-to-auction-in-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

Recent Farmland Sales Across Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, and Minnesota

Jennifer Moran | July 31, 2026

DTN/Progressive Farmer’s Landwatch Weekly highlights several finalized farmland sales across four states this week, including notable activity in Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states of Indiana and Minnesota.

Key LSB Midwest Highlights

Indiana — Grant County:
- 131 acres sold in two tracts for $1.5M, averaging $11,069 per acre
- First tract includes a home, cattle setup and 40 tillable acres
- Second tract includes 69 tillable acres
- Reported yields: 148.3 bu/ac corn, 45.7 bu/ac soybeans, 62.4 bu/ac winter wheat
Minnesota — Lincoln County:
- 112 acres sold for $559,200, or $5,000 per acre
- 57 cropland acres, 17 in row crops, 40 enrolled in CRP
- 55 acres of grassland suited for grazing with natural water source
- Overall soil rating of 85.8 on tillable and CRP acres

Other States Featured

Georgia — Screven County: 74 acres sold for $518,000 ($7,000/ac) with recreational features and duck impoundment
Missouri — Ralls County: 253 acres sold in five tracts for $2.2M, with four land tracts averaging $7,725/ac and multiple parcels featuring ponds and pasture/hay ground

Landwatch Weekly continues to provide a clear snapshot of regional market activity, reinforcing the value of localized reporting across the Midwest and beyond. Full article: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/business-inputs/article/2026/07/30/recent-farmland-sales-georgia

Iowa’s August Farmland Auctions Highlight Market Strength Across 43 Counties

Jennifer Moran | July 30, 2026

Successful Farming reports more than 8,780 acres of Iowa farmland heading to auction in August 2026, spanning 43 counties and a wide range of tracts . The lineup reflects the selective strength we continue to monitor across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region, including Iowa.

Key Points for Iowa Readers

O’Brien County features 564.04 acres offered in eight tracts with CSR2 ratings ranging from 91.4 to 100, underscoring exceptional soil quality .
Montgomery and Mills counties bring 596.92 acres to auction with diverse tracts, multiple CSR2 profiles and income‑producing features such as grain bins and CRP acres generating annual payments of $13,039 .
Henry County’s 396.49 acres include highly productive Mahaska soils, CRP waterways and open tenancy for the 2027 crop year, driving early interest and expected competition for top‑quality parcels .
At least 52 additional auctions are scheduled statewide, with activity strong in central, northwestern and eastern Iowa counties .
Economists describe the market as stable but highly selective, supported by limited supply and strong demand for high‑quality, strategically located farms .

Iowa’s August auction calendar reinforces the disciplined buyer activity and sustained demand we continue to track across LSB’s Midwest reporting states.

Read more from Successful Farming: https://www.agriculture.com/more-than-8-780-acres-of-iowa-farmland-head-to-the-auction-block-in-august-2026-12027830
Land Sales Bulletin’s Iowa reporting details: https://landsalesbulletin.dev/land-sales-data-services/#iowa

Minnesota Farmland Market Shows Steady Strength as 2026 Sales Add New Clarity

Jennifer Moran | July 29, 2026

The latest Farm Progress report reinforces what Land Sales Bulletin continues to see across Minnesota: even after two years of breakeven agriculture, farmland values remain steady and supported by excellent crop ratings, timely rains, and long‑term buyer confidence. Timely rains are helping farmers “out‑bushel” lower commodity prices and maintain yield potential.

While commodity prices have softened, the Farm Progress analysis points to multiple factors keeping land values firm: low sale volume, neighborhood competitive dynamics, government support, legacy equity, new investment money, 1031 exchange activity, interest rates, and inflation hedging . As Farm Progress notes, short‑term market weakness has not overtaken long‑term thinking in farmland decisions.

Key Minnesota takeaways:

Strong crop outlook with USDA rating corn 67% excellent and soybeans 65% excellent
Timely rains strengthening yield potential
Seller‑friendly conditions for A‑quality land despite breakeven economics
Multiple market forces supporting values beyond commodity prices
Competitive sales across Minnesota counties:
- Blue Earth County: ~90 acres at $12,389 per acre, CPI 81.7
- Faribault County: ~40 acres at $12,000 per acre, CPI 91.9
- Le Sueur County: ~144.38 acres at $12,851 per acre, CPI 90.2
- Murray County: ~160 acres at $10,100 per acre, CPI 92.8
- Nobles County: ~160 acres at $12,500 per acre, CPI 93.3
- Polk County: ~80 acres at $10,000 per acre, CPI 91.1
- Sibley County: ~120 acres at $11,000 per acre, CPI 91.8
- Traverse County: ~141.21 acres at $8,500 per acre, CPI 93.7

As fall approaches, these finalized sales will provide additional data points that help define Minnesota’s market direction and reinforce the long‑term stability that continues to characterize the region. Read more from Farm Progress: Farmland market affected by much more than just commodity prices

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

Iowa Farmland Market Setting Up for a Late‑Season Sales Surge

Jennifer Moran | July 27, 2026

As one of Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting states, Iowa is showing early signs of a more active land market heading into late summer and fall. Here are the report highlights:

Iowa, one of LSB’s Midwest reporting states, may see a “flush of land sales” between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30.
Heirs who inherited land in 2024–25 may test the early‑season market before late fall and winter.
Demand continues to outpace supply statewide, keeping conditions seller‑friendly in 2026.
June Iowa sales showed strong pricing and competitive CSR2 ratios across multiple counties.
A brief pause is expected during peak harvest before another strong run of sales late in the year.

Recent June sales across Iowa reinforce that seller‑friendly environment, with strong prices and competitive CSR2 ratios observed in multiple counties. Market momentum is expected to pause briefly during peak harvest before another strong run late in the year. Source: Farm Progress
Author: Doug Hensley, President of Hertz Real Estate Services
Article Link: https://www.farmprogress.com/markets-and-quotes/surge-of-iowa-farmland-sales-likely-later-this-year

Landwatch Weekly: Recent Midwest Farmland Sales Across Iowa, Indiana & South Dakota

Jennifer Moran | July 24, 2026

Progressive Farmer’s Landwatch Weekly column continues to show steady strength across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region. This week’s updates highlight positive momentum in Iowa, Indiana, and South Dakota, with strong per‑acre values and diversified land use driving buyer interest.

Midwest Highlights

Indiana – Wells County A 79‑acre farm sold for $24,050 per acre, supported by 52 acres of tillable ground and two residential homes.
Iowa – Allamakee County A 258‑acre multi‑tract sale averaged $16,750 per acre, with one premium tract reaching $27,400 per acre. Buyers were drawn to a mix of timber, tillable acres, recreational land, and Mississippi River views.
South Dakota – Brookings County A 40‑acre farm sold for $14,125 per acre, featuring strong cropland SPI (81.9), livestock paddocks, a residence, and a heated shop — a well‑rounded operational property.

These finalized sales reinforce continued confidence in high‑quality cropland, diversified land assets, and properties with strong residential or operational improvements across the Midwest.

Source: Progressive Farmer — Landwatch Weekly
Article Link: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/business-inputs/article/2026/07/23/recent-farmland-sales-indiana-iowa

Sunflower Acreage Climbs in 2026: Strong Gains in North & South Dakota Lead the Nation

Jennifer Moran | July 23, 2026

U.S. sunflower acreage rose 5% this year to 1.35 million acres, according to USDA estimates, with the strongest growth coming from South Dakota and North Dakota. Oil‑type and non‑oil sunflower varieties both saw year‑over‑year increases, reflecting tight stocks, strong demand, and elevated prices heading into fall.

Among the eight major sunflower‑producing states, the Dakotas stand out. South Dakota posted the largest increase in planted oil‑type acres, up 56,000 acres from last year . North Dakota followed with a 30,000‑acre increase . Non‑oil sunflower acreage also expanded sharply, with South Dakota again leading all states with a 21,000‑acre jump .

For Land Sales Bulletin readers, this is a positive regional signal: both North Dakota and South Dakota—key LSB Midwest reporting states—are driving national growth in a crop tied to strong market fundamentals, tight stocks, and early‑harvest price premiums expected later this season .

South Dakota: Largest oil‑type acreage increase (+56,000 acres) and largest non‑oil increase (+21,000 acres).
North Dakota: Strong oil‑type acreage growth (+30,000 acres).
Market Context: Tight stocks and strong demand expected to keep prices firm into September.
National Trend: U.S. sunflower acreage up 5% year over year.

Read more from Farm Progress: U.S. sunflower acreage jumps 5% as tight stock pushes prices

Midyear 2026 Farmland Values: Resilience Across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest Reporting States

Jennifer Moran | July 22, 2026

Benchmark farmland values across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming remain flat to slightly higher in mid‑2026, according to Farm Credit Services of America’s July Benchmark Farmland Report. Values are supported by strong buyer financials and an already tight real estate market that saw even fewer sales in the first half of the year.

Iowa cropland dipped modestly, leaving overall benchmark values flat. Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming posted incremental gains across both cropland and pasture since January.

The report also highlights broader trends across grain and protein‑producing states served by collaborating Farm Credit associations, reinforcing long‑term appreciation and durable demand across the Midwest.

Iowa*

6‑month change: 0.0% | 1‑year change: ‑1.4%
5‑year change: 31.6% | 10‑year change: 51.1%

Nebraska*

6‑month change: +1.2% | 1‑year change: +3.2%
5‑year change: 42.9% | 10‑year change: 39.2%

South Dakota*

6‑month change: +4.2% | 1‑year change: +6.4%
5‑year change: 71.6% | 10‑year change: 61.8%

Wyoming

6‑month change: +2.7% | 1‑year change: +6.0%
5‑year change: 55.4% | 10‑year change: 99.6%

Market Context

Tight real estate supply and financially strong buyers continue to support values region‑wide
Benchmark values across all four states show significant long‑term appreciation, with ten‑year gains averaging nearly 100%

*Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest Reporting States

Full Report: Farmland Values 2026: Trends in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming | FCSAmerica