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

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

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthJuly 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

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

Notable Iowa & Wisconsin Farmland Sales Highlight Strong Spring Market

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-month

Recent Notable Sales across Iowa and Wisconsin continue to demonstrate the strength of high‑quality Midwest farmland, according to reporting from American Farmland Owner.

In Sioux County, Iowa, two premium cropland tracts sold for $26,600 per acre on April 2, reflecting the region’s continued demand for nearly all‑tillable farms with strong CSR2 ratings and efficient row layouts.
Tract 1 included 44.5± acres with a CSR2 of 91, while Tract 2 offered 40± acres with a CSR2 of 91.8, supported by proven Galva, Primghar, and Ely soils.

In Dane County, Wisconsin, a 207.55‑acre offering brought $18,750 to $24,000 per acre across five tracts at an April 17 auction.
The farm featured nearly all‑tillable acres, productive Plano, Ringwood, and Traxel silt loams, and strong proximity to Madison — all factors that contributed to competitive bidding in this tightly held region.

These Notable Sales reinforce the continued resilience of top‑quality cropland and the strong operator and investor interest across the our Midwest. https://www.americanfarmlandowner.com/post/notable-land-sales-midwest

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

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthMay 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

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthMay 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.

Southeast Wisconsin Farmland Values Surge on Manure‑Access Premiums

accountJennifer Moran | calendar-monthMay 20, 2026

Farmland values in southeast Wisconsin are rising sharply, with localized increases of 25% to 35% over the past year. Some properties are now trading between $13,000 and $16,000 per acre, even as grain and milk prices remain relatively flat.

According to Compeer Financial, the primary driver behind this surge isn’t commodity strength — it’s proximity to nutrient management systems and the operational efficiencies tied to manure application logistics.

Large dairy operations in Wisconsin increasingly require nearby acreage to meet nutrient management regulations, reduce hauling distances, and control fuel and labor costs. Land located within a three‑mile radius of major livestock facilities is commanding a premium as producers compete for strategically located acres.

Competition is also expanding beyond traditional farm operators. Commercial waste processors seeking land application sites for residual materials are entering the market, adding further upward pressure in regions with limited farmland inventory.

Structural changes in Wisconsin’s dairy sector — including modernization, automation, and herd expansions from 1,500 to more than 3,000 cows — are amplifying the need for nearby cropland and reshaping local land markets.

For landowners, recent high‑profile auctions in Dodge County and areas near Madison have elevated expectations and encouraged additional listings, with private sales achieving similarly strong results. Read or listen to the full report: Farmland Near Manure Sources Fetches Premium Pricing – Compeer

While commodity prices do not fully support these valuations, location‑driven demand continues to define southeast Wisconsin’s farmland market — a trend Land Sales Bulletin will continue monitoring across our Midwest reporting region.