July 2026 demonstrated that Iowa farmland values remain highly dependent on location, land quality, and buyer demand. Sale prices ranged from approximately $4,650 per acre to $18,400 per acre, proving that there is no single “average” value that accurately represents today’s market.
If you’ve been following Iowa farmland values, July offered another reminder that every farm must be evaluated on its own merits. While some highly productive farms continued to command premium prices, lower-quality tillable acres, pasture, recreational land, CRP, and development tracts all sold within the same month, creating a wide range of sale prices across the state.
Rather than looking at one statewide average, buyers and sellers should focus on comparable sales, soil productivity, location, improvements, and buyer competition when determining value.
July 2026 Iowa Farmland Sales at a Glance
The July report included 49 recorded land transactions totaling more than 4,200 acres across Iowa.
The sales represented nearly every type of rural real estate, including:
- Tillable farmland
- CRP farms
- Pasture
- Recreational land
- Organic farms
- Development land
- Wind turbine properties
- Farmsteads
- Mixed-use farms
This variety demonstrates why comparing one farm to another based solely on price per acre can often produce misleading conclusions.
What Was the Highest Sale in July 2026?
The highest reported sale occurred in Grundy County, where an 80-acre tillable farm with a wind turbine sold for $18,400 per acre.
Other premium sales included:
- Carroll County – $16,900 per acre
- Calhoun County – $14,200 per acre
- Calhoun County – $13,500 per acre
- Benton County – $13,200 per acre
- Des Moines County – $12,475 per acre
These sales generally involved highly productive cropland with strong CSR2 ratings and attractive farming characteristics.
Which Counties Had the Lowest Prices?
Not every farm brought premium pricing.
Several properties sold well below statewide highs, including:
- Wayne County tillable farm — $4,650 per acre
- Page County recreation/tillable property — $4,700 per acre
- Cass County tillable farm — $6,000 per acre
- Webster County CRP farm — $6,300 per acre
- Wright County tillable farms — $6,500 to $9,200 per acre
These examples illustrate how factors such as soil quality, location, recreational influence, and land use significantly affect market value.
CSR2 Continues to Influence Value
One of the strongest trends throughout July was the continued relationship between CSR2 ratings and farmland pricing.
Many of the higher-priced farms featured CSR2 ratings in the mid-80s or higher.
Examples include:
- Grundy County — CSR2 92.8
- Calhoun County — CSR2 86.9
- Carroll County — CSR2 83.2
- Des Moines County — CSR2 86.8
However, CSR2 alone does not determine value.
For example:
- Franklin County sold with two wind turbines.
- Development tracts in Polk and Jefferson Counties had pricing influenced by future land use rather than agricultural productivity.
- Recreational and CRP properties followed entirely different pricing patterns.
CSR2 remains an important valuation tool, but it is only one component of determining market value.
Buyers Continue to Pay for Quality
The July sales suggest that buyers remain willing to compete aggressively for quality farms.
Characteristics commonly found among stronger sales include:
- High CSR2 ratings
- Large percentages of tillable acres
- Well-shaped fields
- Good access
- Strong farming history
- Desirable county locations
Quality farms continue attracting competitive bidding, particularly when inventory remains limited.
Why Average Price Per Acre Can Be Misleading
One of the biggest mistakes landowners make is assuming their farm is worth the same as another property that sold nearby.
A farm selling for $14,000 per acre may have:
- Better soils
- Higher percentage tillable
- Better drainage
- Larger fields
- Better access
- Stronger tenant demand
- Wind income
- Development potential
Meanwhile, another farm in the same county may sell thousands of dollars less simply because those characteristics are different.
Professional valuation requires much more than looking at county averages.
What This Means for Iowa Landowners
If you’re considering selling farmland, July’s market reinforces several important lessons.
First, demand remains healthy for quality farms.
Second, buyers continue rewarding productivity and income potential.
Finally, every property deserves an individualized market analysis rather than relying on generalized statewide averages.
Whether your farm is highly productive cropland, recreational land, CRP, pasture, or a combination of several land types, understanding how comparable sales relate to your property is critical before making any selling decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iowa farmland still selling for strong prices?
Yes. July 2026 included numerous sales above $10,000 per acre, with several exceeding $13,000 per acre. At the same time, lower-quality and specialty properties sold at considerably lower prices, showing that today’s market rewards quality.
Does CSR2 determine farmland value?
CSR2 is an important indicator of soil productivity, but it is only one factor. Location, drainage, access, improvements, tillable percentage, recreational appeal, development potential, and buyer competition also influence value.
Why do farmland prices vary so much?
Every farm is unique. Soil quality, land use, improvements, market demand, and property characteristics all contribute to the final sale price.
Is now a good time to sell Iowa farmland?
Many quality farms continue attracting strong buyer interest. The best way to determine whether now is the right time to sell is to compare your property against recent local sales and current buyer demand.
Final Thoughts
July 2026 continued a trend we’ve seen throughout the Iowa land market: buyers are paying for quality, not simply acres. Strong soils, productive farmland, and desirable locations continue to generate premium prices, while specialty properties are valued according to their specific highest and best use.
For landowners, the takeaway is simple. The best way to understand your farm’s value isn’t by looking at statewide averages—it’s by evaluating how your property compares to recent sales with similar characteristics.
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply want to understand what your land may be worth in today’s market, working with professionals who analyze land sales every day can provide a much clearer picture than headline numbers alone.
