Ann Whitaker

Did you know one of the Midwest’s biggest farming advantages starts below the surface? Much of the Midwest is built on soils that measure three to six feet deep. By comparison, many agricultural regions around the world farm with roughly 12 inches of usable topsoil. That difference in soil depth plays a major role in long-term productivity and yield stability. Farmland Fact Video If you prefer to watch instead of read, you can view the short video below. Prefer YouTube? Watch the video here What Is Soil Depth? Soil depth refers to the vertical thickness of soil available for root growth, water storage, and nutrient availability. Deeper soils allow crops to develop stronger root systems and access moisture and nutrients more consistently throughout the growing season. In the Midwest, naturally deep soils were formed over thousands of years, creating some of the most productive agricultural ground in the world. Why Does Soil Depth Matter? Deeper soils provide several important advantages: Greater water-holding capacity during dry periods Improved drainage and resilience during wet conditions Stronger root development and nutrient uptake More consistent crop performance year to year These characteristics help explain why Midwest farmland continues to support high yields across a wide range of weather conditions. Why This Matters to Landowners Soil depth directly affects farmland productivity, risk management, and long-term value. Farms with deep, well-structured soils tend to produce more consistent yields and attract stronger demand from both operators and investors. Because soil depth is a natural characteristic that cannot be easily replicated, it remains one of the foundational drivers of Midwest farmland value. The Bigger Takeaway Not all farmland is created equal. The Midwest’s naturally deep soils provide a long-term advantage that many farming regions simply do not have. That depth continues to support productivity, stability, and farmland value across generations. This post is part of our Farmland Facts series, where we share clear, practical insights that help landowners, buyers, and investors better understand what drives farmland value and land ownership decisions.

Midwest farmland values continue to show long-term strength and resilience as we enter 2026, even in the face of softer grain margins and economic headwinds. According to the January 2026 Benchmark Farmland Report, farmland across eight Midwest and Plains states remains historically strong, supported by tight land supply, financially stable buyers, and continued producer demand. For landowners, this data confirms that high-quality farmland remains one of the most durable long-term assets in agriculture — even during periods of margin pressure. What Is the Benchmark Farmland Report? The Benchmark Farmland Report is produced by Farm Credit Services of America, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, and Frontier Farm Credit. It tracks 93 benchmark farms across Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Wisconsin. These same farms have been appraised for more than 30 years, allowing for consistent, apples-to-apples tracking of farmland value trends. In addition, more than 11,000 verified arm’s-length farmland sales from 2025 were analyzed to support real-world market insight. Midwest Farmland Values Remain Stable in 2026 Despite lower grain prices and tighter farm margins, benchmark farmland values across the eight-state region increased an average of 1.5% over the last six months of 2025. Only two states — Iowa and North Dakota — experienced modest declines, while most states posted gains. Wisconsin stood out with a double-digit increase driven by strong competition for land near dairy and specialty crop operations. Long-term performance remains especially strong: 5-Year Average Increase: +58.4% 10-Year Average Increase: +53.3% This reinforces what many landowners already know: farmland has remained a reliable long-term store of value even through economic cycles. Iowa Farmland Values in 2026 Iowa farmland saw a modest softening: 6-Month Change: -1.5% 1-Year Change: -1.8% 2-Year Change: -6.7% 5-Year Change: +44.0% 10-Year Change: +45.0% Cropland values declined slightly as Iowa’s higher cost structure meets lower commodity prices. However, late-2025 sales showed stabilization, with a fourth-quarter rebound. 2025 Average Cropland Price: $12,605 per acre Q4 2025 Average: $13,173 per acre For Iowa landowners, this suggests values have leveled — not collapsed — and remain well above long-term historical averages. Strong Cropland Markets Across the Region Several states saw continued strength: Kansas: +7.4% year-over-year South Dakota: +7.9% year-over-year Minnesota: Modest gains with strong Q4 rebound Wisconsin: +26.6% year-over-year Wyoming: +8.7% year-over-year Wisconsin’s gains were driven by dairy and specialty crop demand, with buyers paying premiums for land near their operations. Pastureland Values Supported by Strong Cattle Markets Pastureland saw meaningful gains in several states: Nebraska: +11.8% year-over-year South Dakota: +18.4% year-over-year Wyoming & North Dakota: Continued upward pressure Strong cattle prices and limited pasture availability continue to support pastureland values, especially for operators expanding herds. Farmland Sales Activity: Fewer Tracts, Strong Demand The report confirms what many landowners and brokers are seeing: Fewer tracts came to market in 2025 Cropland sales declined in most states Public auction volume dropped in many regions Private and broker-listed sales remained dominant Iowa auction sales declined 16%, while no-sale auctions moved closer to historical norms. South Dakota was one of the few states to see increased auction activity. Limited supply continues to support pricing — even with tighter margins. Farmers Still Dominate Farmland Purchases One of the most important takeaways for landowners: Farmers accounted for nearly 85% of all farmland buyers in 2025. This confirms that producers — not outside investors — continue to drive the farmland market. While investors were more active in 2021–2022, today’s market is dominated by working farmers focused on: Proximity to existing operations High-quality soils Operational efficiencies Long-term ownership strategies High-quality farmland continues to sell well, while buyers remain selective. What This Means for Landowners in 2026 For landowners, the January 2026 data sends a clear message: Farmland values remain historically strong Supply remains tight Financially solid buyers are still active High-quality farms continue to command premiums Timing and marketing strategy matter more than ever Whether you are considering selling, transitioning land to the next generation, restructuring ownership, or simply tracking your farm’s value, understanding these trends is critical to making informed decisions. How to Use This Data for Your Land Professional land valuation, targeted marketing, and regional expertise can make a meaningful difference in results — especially in a market where buyers are selective and quality matters. If you would like to understand how these 2026 farmland value trends apply specifically to your farm, your county, or your operation, a localized analysis can provide clarity on: Current per-acre market value Buyer demand in your area Best timing strategies Auction vs. traditional listing considerations Long-term land transition planning   Interested in how Midwest farmland values 2026 impact your farm’s value? Contact Whitaker Marketing Group to speak with a farmland expert about your property.

For a look at the previous week’s results, see our Iowa Land Auction Prices, January 10–16, 2026. This report on statewide Iowa land auctions gives farmland owners a clear look at how buyers are responding to auction offerings across the state. Using verified auction data from January 20–23, 2026, these results help sellers understand current pricing, demand, and how auctions are performing in today’s market. At Whitaker Marketing Group, auctions are at the core of what we do. Because statewide Iowa land auctions reflect real buyer behavior, not asking prices, they provide one of the most accurate tools available for landowners considering a sale. Weekly Snapshot of Statewide Iowa Land Auctions (January 20–23, 2026) This week’s statewide Iowa land auctions included a broad mix of land types and sale outcomes, offering valuable insight for sellers across multiple regions of the state. Highlights from the week include: Tillable, pasture, CRP, recreation, and mixed-use farmland Sale prices ranging from approximately $5,500 to over $22,000 per acre Strong premiums for high-quality tillable farmland A small number of postponed or adjusted auctions reflecting timing decisions As a result, this dataset provides a realistic view of how the statewide auction market is functioning. What Statewide Iowa Land Auctions Mean for Sellers First, High-Quality Tillable Land Continues to Lead Pricing First and foremost, productive tillable farmland once again commanded the strongest prices in statewide Iowa land auctions. For example: Multiple Lyon County tillable tracts sold above $19,000 per acre, with top sales exceeding $22,000 per acre A Johnson County tillable farm sold near $20,000 per acre Farms with strong CSR2 ratings consistently attracted competitive bidding Therefore, buyers remain willing to compete aggressively for quality farmland when it is clearly presented and offered through auction. Seller takeaway:Well-positioned tillable land continues to perform best when exposed to open, competitive bidding. Next, Buyers Are Still Pricing Productivity, Not Just Acres In addition to headline prices, statewide Iowa land auctions show buyers closely evaluating productivity metrics such as CSR2. Specifically: Higher-quality tracts achieved some of the strongest $ per CSR2 results Mid-range farms traded at more moderate efficiency levels Mixed-use and lower-productivity tracts reflected more conservative pricing Consequently, buyers are comparing opportunities carefully across counties rather than bidding blindly. Seller takeaway:Accurate soil data and tillable breakdowns remain critical to auction performance. Additionally, Mixed-Use and Recreational Land Require the Right Auction Strategy While tillable farmland led pricing, statewide Iowa land auctions also included a wide range of mixed-use, pasture, and recreational tracts. This week’s data shows: Pasture and hay farms selling in more moderate price ranges Recreational and wooded tracts trading based on buyer pool size and location Mixed tillable-CRP-pasture farms requiring targeted marketing As land complexity increases, strategy becomes even more important. Seller takeaway:Auctions work for all land types, but the marketing approach must match the property. Importantly, Adjusted or Postponed Auctions Provide Timing Insight It is also worth noting that a small number of auctions during this period were marked as postponed or adjusted. Importantly, these outcomes are a normal part of statewide Iowa land auctions and often reflect timing considerations, seller preferences, or strategic decisions made ahead of the sale date. Rather than signaling market weakness, these adjustments often indicate thoughtful planning as sellers and auctioneers work to align timing and buyer engagement. Seller takeaway:Auction outcomes—whether completed or adjusted—help clarify market readiness and timing. Why Auctions Remain an Effective Tool for Iowa Farmland Sellers Overall, statewide Iowa land auctions continue to offer key advantages for sellers: True price discovery through competition Defined timelines without prolonged negotiations Transparent buyer behavior Clear market feedback sellers can act on As a result, auctions provide confidence and clarity that other sale methods often cannot. At Whitaker Marketing Group, we believe sellers benefit most when the market is allowed to determine value openly. How Sellers Should Use Weekly Statewide Auction Data Rather than focusing on a single sale, landowners should use statewide Iowa land auctions as benchmarks. For example, weekly results help sellers understand: How buyers are valuing productivity right now Which land types are attracting the most competition Where pricing expectations may need adjustment Therefore, statewide auction data becomes a planning tool—not just a recap. Considering an Auction? Let the Data Lead the Decision Ultimately, every farm is different. However, acreage, CSR2, land type, and location all influence outcomes. By reviewing statewide Iowa land auctions, sellers can better evaluate current demand and decide whether an auction is the right strategy for their property. For additional context on broader land value trends, landowners may also review the Iowa State University Land Value Survey published by Iowa State University. Thinking About Selling Farmland by Auction? If you are considering selling, the first step is understanding how your farm compares to recent statewide Iowa land auctions like these. A professional auction evaluation can help determine: Buyer demand for your land type Appropriate auction format Timing considerations Market positioning strategy At Whitaker Marketing Group, we rely on real auction data—not guesswork—to help Iowa landowners make confident selling decisions.