Iowa farmland auction results for September 5–11, 2026 included disclosed prices ranging from $6,000 to $17,900 per acre. This week’s results covered tillable farmland, CRP ground, and recreational land across several regions of Iowa.
The highest disclosed sale in this week’s data came from Shelby County at $17,900 per acre. Other notable results included $16,200 per acre in Sioux County and $15,250 per acre in O’Brien County.
Several auctions also had prices that were undisclosed or undetermined.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Iowa farmland auction results.
What Did Iowa Farmland Sell for This Week?
The disclosed sales from September 5–11 ranged considerably depending on location, land type, soil productivity, and other property characteristics.
Some of the week’s notable disclosed results included:
- Shelby County: 71.19 acres sold for $17,900 per acre with a tillable CSR2 of 57.0.
- Sioux County: 40 acres sold for $16,200 per acre with a tillable CSR2 of 74.9.
- O’Brien County: 98.93 acres sold for $15,250 per acre with a tillable CSR2 of 90.8.
- Winnebago County: 100 acres sold for $13,900 per acre with a tillable CSR2 of 73.6.
- Butler County: 132.66 acres sold for $13,800 per acre with a tillable CSR2 of 83.2.
- Cerro Gordo County: 121.09 acres sold for $13,750 per acre with a tillable CSR2 of 81.3.
The results show why there is rarely one number that accurately represents the value of Iowa farmland. Each farm and local market is different.
September 8 Iowa Farmland Auction Results
Two sales were reported on September 8.
In Winnebago County, 100 acres of tillable farmland sold for $13,900 per acre. The farm had a tillable CSR2 of 73.6 and approximately 97 tillable acres.
In Butler County, 132.66 acres of tillable farmland sold for $13,800 per acre. The property had a tillable CSR2 of 83.2 and approximately 131.36 tillable acres.
Despite the difference in CSR2, the two farms sold within $100 per acre of each other.
September 9 Brings Several Strong Iowa Land Sales
September 9 accounted for many of the disclosed sales in this week’s data.
A 40-acre Sioux County farm sold for $16,200 per acre. The farm had a tillable CSR2 of 74.9 and approximately 38.6 tillable acres.
In O’Brien County, 98.93 acres sold for $15,250 per acre. The farm had a tillable CSR2 of 90.8 and approximately 93.85 tillable acres.
An Allamakee County farm consisting of 71.15 acres was also reported sold, although the sale price was undisclosed.
Three Cerro Gordo County Sales Show the Importance of Land Type
Three Cerro Gordo County properties were included in this week’s results, and their prices varied considerably.
A 55.01-acre tillable and CRP property sold for $7,300 per acre. Another 154-acre tillable and CRP property sold for $7,400 per acre.
Meanwhile, a 121.09-acre tillable property sold for $13,750 per acre.
That is a substantial difference within the same county and on the same sale date.
These results are a good reminder that county averages alone do not tell the entire story. The percentage of tillable land, CRP enrollment, soil productivity, drainage, access, location, parcel configuration, and local buyer demand can all influence what a property brings.
Shelby County Farmland Sells for $17,900 Per Acre
The highest disclosed price in this week’s data came from Shelby County.
A 71.19-acre tillable farm sold for $17,900 per acre. The property had a tillable CSR2 of 57.0 and approximately 70.13 tillable acres.
The result is particularly interesting when compared with some of the higher-CSR2 farms sold during the same week.
For example, the O’Brien County farm had a tillable CSR2 of 90.8 and sold for $15,250 per acre. The Shelby County property had a lower tillable CSR2 but brought $2,650 more per acre.
Why?
Because CSR2 is only one factor in determining Iowa farmland value.
Local competition, neighboring landowners, location, parcel size, farmability, access, drainage, improvements, and other characteristics can all influence the final price.
Harrison County Farmland Auction Results
Two Harrison County farms sold on September 9.
A 147.26-acre tillable farm sold for $12,200 per acre. It had a tillable CSR2 of 71.3.
Another 156.14-acre tillable farm sold for $11,300 per acre with a tillable CSR2 of 70.8.
The farms had very similar CSR2 ratings, yet there was a $900-per-acre difference in their sale prices.
Again, this demonstrates why farmland values should be analyzed on a property-by-property basis.
Several September 10 Iowa Land Prices Were Undisclosed
A number of Iowa land auctions were reported on September 10, but final prices were not available for many of them.
In Story County, a 160-acre tillable farm with a tillable CSR2 of 87.3 was reported sold with the price undisclosed.
Two Winneshiek County farms were also reported with undisclosed prices. The properties consisted of approximately 115.90 acres and 111.98 acres.
In Johnson County, eight separate tillable tracts were reported. They ranged from 32 acres to 116 acres, with final prices listed as undetermined in the available data.
A 40-acre recreational property in Tama County was also reported with an undisclosed price.
We do not use undisclosed or undetermined prices when comparing the week’s high and low sale prices.
Cass County CRP Land Sells for $6,000 Per Acre
A 120.26-acre Cass County CRP property sold on September 11 for $6,000 per acre.
The property had a tillable CSR2 of 52.3 and approximately 78.51 tillable acres.
CRP properties can trade differently than primarily tillable farms. Buyers may consider CRP income, contract terms, recreational opportunities, future farming potential, habitat, and other property characteristics when determining value.
Does a Higher CSR2 Mean a Higher Sale Price?
Not necessarily. CSR2 is an important measure of soil productivity, but it does not determine a farm’s sale price by itself.
This week’s Iowa farmland auction results provide several examples.
The Shelby County property had a tillable CSR2 of 57.0 and sold for $17,900 per acre. Meanwhile, farms with CSR2 ratings above 80 sold for less per acre.
That does not mean CSR2 should be ignored. It means buyers look at the entire property.
When evaluating Iowa farmland, factors can include:
- CSR2 and soil types
- Tillable acres
- Drainage and tile
- Location
- Access
- Farmability
- Parcel size and shape
- Current lease terms
- Improvements
- CRP or conservation acres
- Recreational potential
- Neighboring landowners
- Local buyer demand
- Recent comparable land sales
For an auction, another major factor is competition. Two motivated buyers can have a significant impact on the final sale price.
Iowa Farmland Is a Local Market
One of the biggest takeaways from the September 5–11 results is that Iowa farmland remains a highly local market.
There was nearly a $12,000-per-acre spread between the highest and lowest disclosed prices in this week’s data.
That does not mean one area is necessarily strong and another is weak. The properties themselves were different.
A productive row-crop farm should not be directly compared with a CRP property simply because both are located in Iowa. Likewise, a sale from the other side of the state may provide less insight into a farm’s value than a recent comparable sale a few miles away.
That is why we pay close attention to individual auction results.
Weekly sales can help identify what buyers are doing right now and provide additional context for landowners considering a sale.
What Is Your Iowa Farm Worth?
If you own farmland and are considering selling, recent auction results are a useful starting point. However, the more important question is not simply:
What is Iowa farmland selling for?
It is:
What could my farm sell for in today’s market?
Answering that question requires looking at the specific property, recent comparable sales, local buyer activity, and the potential demand for that farm.
Whitaker Marketing Group specializes in Iowa farmland auctions and land sales. We work with landowners to analyze their property, identify potential buyers, and determine which sale method may best fit their goals.
Whether you are considering a live auction, online auction, sealed bid sale, or traditional listing, understanding the market before making a decision is an important first step.
Thinking about selling Iowa farmland? Contact Whitaker Marketing Group at 515-996-LAND to discuss your property and current market conditions.
