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August Farmland Sales Snapshot Across the Midwest

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthAugust 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

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

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJuly 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

Minnesota land sales - Farm Progress

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

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJuly 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

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

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJuly 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

American Farmland Owner: Notable Midwest Land Sales for June 2026

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJuly 8, 2026

Recent land sale transactions highlights a highly variable Midwest land market. Premium tracts commanding up to $18,100 per acre while marginal acreage traded as low as $2,500 per acre. For industry ag professionals, these spreads reinforce that valuation is strictly localized and dictated entirely by CSR2/PI scores, water access, and regional buyer competition. Find sales details for our featured Midwest reporting states of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin in American Farmland Owner’s June report: American Farmland Owner June 2026 Notable Sales

Nebraska Farmland Sales Hold Steady Across Key Regions

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJuly 6, 2026

Nebraska’s land market continues to show strength this summer, even with limited inventory. According to Farm Progress, high‑quality farms remain in demand, with more buyers than sellers across the state.

Representative sales from five counties highlight the range of values and land types moving this season.

  • Garden County (Panhandle): 159.59 acres sold for $1,785/acre, featuring superior soils and strong ag plus recreational potential
  • Merrick County (East): 78.08 acres sold for $9,925/acre, a well‑managed Platte Valley irrigated farm with excellent water access
  • Lancaster County (Southeast Lincoln area): 124.06 acres sold for $18,499/acre, driven by transitional development potential and strong location advantages
  • Hall County (Central): 76.54 acres sold for $11,039/acre, positioned near strong grain markets and an ethanol plant
  • Johnson County (Southeast): 160 acres sold for $10,500/acre, with 96% tillable acres and completed conservation work

Nebraska remains a core state in Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region, and these sales reflect a market where quality land continues to attract strong buyer interest. Farm Progress: Farmland sales hold steady across Nebraska

Minnesota Farmland Snapshot: Recent Sales Across Key Counties

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJuly 2, 2026

Minnesota’s farmland market continues to show resilience heading into the second half of 2026, supported by recent sales across several counties statewide. While values have softened slightly, the market remains stable, with widening gaps between excellent and moderate-quality tracts as buyer demand shifts.

3 Key Things to Watch in the Second Half of 2026

  • 2026 Crop Outlook — In‑season yield expectations will heavily influence farmer optimism and market aggressiveness
  • Geopolitics — War, trade, interest rates, and tariffs continue to shape commodity prices and input costs, with potential rate hikes and shifting global commitments on the horizon
  • Government Support — Additional assistance programs may help producers manage rising fuel and fertilizer costs and provide underlying support for land values

As a key Midwest reporting state for Land Sales Bulletin, Minnesota continues to demonstrate steady strength in the Midwest land market. Farm Progress:https://www.farmprogress.com/management/3-things-to-watch-as-farmland-market-readies-for-second-half-of-2026

Minnesota land sales - Farm Progress

Summer 2026 Farmland Values: Stability Across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota & Nebraska

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJuly 1, 2026

Farmland values across Land Sales Bulletin’s Midwest reporting region continue to show steady, resilient performance heading into Summer 2026, according to Hertz Farm Management’s latest update.

  • Iowa remains stable, with farmland values increasing 1.3% from September 2025 to March 2026 . Over the past 12 months, Iowa posted a net 0.3% gain after a brief dip earlier in 2025.
  • Illinois shows a choppy‑sideways trend. “Excellent” quality land declined 3%, while “Good” and “Average” land remained flat and “Fair” land increased 2% . Despite near‑term caution—61% of respondents expect prices to decline in 2026 —values remain 49–54% above 2020 levels.
  • Nebraska cropland values softened, declining 1–3% statewide, while grazing land rose up to 7% on strong cattle prices . Overall agricultural land values fell 1% year‑over‑year, marking a second consecutive annual decline.
  • Minnesota remains resilient, with modest increases in non‑irrigated cropland prices and ranchland rents, while irrigated rents declined . Lenders remain cautious, with 64% expecting farm incomes to decrease in the year ahead.

Across the Corn Belt, limited land supply, steady buyer interest, and stable long‑term fundamentals continue to support values despite tighter margins and broader economic volatility. Read more from Hertz Farm Management: https://www.hertz.ag/blog/detail/farmland-values-update-summer-2026

Iowa Farmland Auctions Bring More Than 2,700 Acres to Market in July

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJune 29, 2026

Iowa’s farmland market enters July with more than 2,700 acres scheduled for auction across 16 counties. Listings range from small 3‑acre tracts to multiparcel offerings nearing 780 acres, underscoring steady demand in one of Land Sales Bulletin’s core Midwest reporting states.

  • Poweshiek County leads early activity with 392 acres selling July 10 across three tracts, all rented for the 2026 crop year.
  • In northwest Iowa, Pocahontas County brings 775 acres across nine tracts with CSR2 values ranging 80–85.2 in an online‑only auction ending July 15.
  • Fremont County follows with a 143.99‑acre offering featuring a weighted CSR2 of 83.4 and $17,700 in 2026 cash‑rent income to the buyer.

Statewide, at least 13 additional auctions are expected, with most located south of US‑20. Iowa’s farmland values have increased 1.3% over the past six months, signaling cautious optimism among producers and investors. Read more from Successful Farming: More Than 2700 Acres of Iowa Farmland Head to Auction in July 2026

More than 2,700 Acres of Iowa Farmland head to Auction this July 2026

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