David Whitaker

Iowa farmland values continue to demonstrate resilience as recent auction data from multiple counties shows strong prices for quality tillable ground. Recent farmland sales across Iowa between March 7th and March 13th, 2026 highlight how productivity, location, and development potential continue to influence land values across the state. The most recent sales included farmland transactions in Cass, Sioux, Adams, Wapello, Polk, Harrison, Ringgold, Black Hawk, Clinton, Boone, Worth, Pottawattamie, and Carroll counties. Prices ranged widely depending on CSR2 soil ratings, tillable acres, irrigation, and development potential. Interested in last week's results? Click Here: Iowa Land Auction Results February 28 – March 6, 2026 Recent Iowa Farmland Auction Results The following land sales illustrate the range of farmland prices currently being achieved in Iowa auctions: Sioux County — 162.83 acres sold for $17,100 per acre with an 88.5 CSR2 rating. Carroll County — 77.11 acres sold for $17,700 per acre with an 84.1 CSR2 rating. Boone County — 87.72 acres sold for $16,600 per acre with an 89.3 CSR2 rating. Black Hawk County — two farms sold for $13,073 and $10,028 per acre. Cass County — farms sold for $8,700 and $8,200 per acre. Harrison County irrigated farmland sold for $8,700 per acre. Ringgold County CRP farmland sold for $4,800 per acre. What These Iowa Farmland Sales Tell Us About the Market These recent land auction results show several important trends across Iowa farmland markets. High CSR2 Farms Continue to Command Premium Prices High productivity farms remain the strongest segment of the land market. Several farms with CSR2 ratings in the mid-to-high 80s exceeded $16,000 per acre, particularly in Sioux, Boone, and Carroll counties. Location and Competition Still Matter Counties with strong local farming demand and competitive bidding environments continue to push farmland values higher. Areas with strong agricultural infrastructure and local farmer buyers remain some of the most competitive auction environments. Lower CSR2 or Mixed Use Land Shows Wider Price Range Properties with lower CSR2 ratings, CRP acres, irrigation, or development potential showed wider price ranges. For example, Ringgold County CRP farmland sold for $4,800 per acre while other farms exceeded $17,000 per acre depending on soil quality and land use. Development Land Activity Near Polk County Several tracts in Polk County were categorized as development-tillable properties. While sale prices were not publicly disclosed, these tracts featured CSR2 ratings ranging from 77.5 to 88.4 and acreage sizes from roughly 62 to 218 acres. Land with development potential near metro areas such as Des Moines often attracts a different buyer pool including investors and developers. Average Land Value Indicators from These Sales While farmland values vary widely depending on location and soil productivity, this recent set of transactions suggests: High-quality Iowa farmland continues trading between $16,000 and $18,000 per acre. Average productive farmland commonly falls between $8,000 and $13,000 per acre. Lower productivity or CRP farmland can trade closer to $4,000 to $6,000 per acre. These ranges reinforce the importance of evaluating each farm individually based on soil productivity, drainage, access, and market demand. Why Farmland Auctions Continue to Set Market Value Farmland auctions remain one of the most transparent ways to determine true market value for agricultural land. Competitive bidding allows farmers, investors, and landowners to discover real-time pricing based on supply and demand. Recent auctions across Iowa demonstrate that when high-quality land becomes available, buyers are still willing to compete aggressively.     Thinking About Selling Farmland? If you are considering selling farmland in Iowa or the Midwest, understanding current land values is essential. Auction marketing often creates strong competition among buyers and helps landowners capture full market value. The team at Whitaker Marketing Group specializes in farmland auctions, land marketing, and farmland valuation across Iowa and the Midwest. Contact Whitaker Marketing Group today to discuss your land and learn what it may be worth in today’s market.

Latest REALTORS® Land Institute Iowa Chapter Land Values Survey Results The REALTORS® Land Institute – Iowa Chapter has released the March 2026 Land Trends and Values Survey, providing valuable insights into current farmland market conditions across Iowa. The survey gathers input from land professionals including farm managers, real estate brokers, lenders, and agricultural attorneys who are actively involved in the farmland market. The survey is conducted twice each year—March 1 and September 1—and tracks farmland value changes across Iowa’s nine crop reporting districts. By analyzing multiple categories of farmland including high-quality cropland, medium-quality cropland, lower-quality cropland, pasture, and timberland, the survey provides a detailed view of how Iowa farmland values are evolving. Statewide Farmland Value Change: +1.3% September 2025 – March 2026 12-Month Change: ~0.1% Overall March 2025 – March 2026 Regional Performance: Six-Month Change by Crop Reporting District Northeast Iowa: +3.4% (largest increase) East Central Iowa: +2.0% Southeast Iowa: +1.3% Southwest Iowa: +1.0% West Central Iowa: +1.0% Central Iowa: +0.9% Northwest Iowa: +0.7% South Central Iowa: +0.6% North Central Iowa: +0.5% Overall, all nine crop reporting districts recorded gains during the past six months, marking the first positive statewide survey reading in nearly three years following the market correction that began in 2023. Iowa Farmland Value Trends by Land Quality The survey measures farmland values by potential corn production categories, giving insight into how different quality soils are performing in today’s market. Statewide Average Values (March 2026) High Quality Cropland: $13,878 per acreMedium Quality Cropland: $10,805 per acreLow Quality Cropland: $7,694 per acre These values represent a modest increase from the September survey and reflect continued stability in Iowa’s farmland market despite softer commodity margins. Pasture and Timber Land Values Pasture and timberland values showed stronger gains than cropland in many areas, largely supported by favorable livestock market conditions and increased recreational demand. Pastureland Value Highlights Northeast Iowa: +4.2% ($5,713/acre) East Central Iowa: +4.2% ($5,515/acre) West Central Iowa: +3.6% ($5,424/acre) Southeast Iowa: +3.5% ($5,579/acre)     Timberland Value Highlights North Central Iowa: +4.1% ($4,165/acre) East Central Iowa: +3.2% ($5,066/acre) Northeast Iowa: +2.5% ($5,181/acre) Overall, timberland values ranged from flat to roughly +4% across the state, reflecting ongoing interest in recreational and diversified land ownership. Market Analysis & Outlook Our analysis of the March 2026 survey results highlights several important trends shaping the Iowa farmland market today. Stabilizing Market Conditions After significant appreciation from 2020 through early 2023, Iowa farmland values experienced a modest correction between 2023 and 2025. The latest survey shows a return to modest growth, signaling stabilization in the market. Regional Variation Eastern Iowa districts showed the strongest gains, while northern and central districts experienced more modest increases. Quality Matters More Than Ever Survey participants reported that high-quality farms continue to attract strong demand, while lower-quality farms—especially the bottom tier—can be more challenging to sell. Supply Constraints The supply of farms on the market remains limited. Compared with last year, most survey respondents now report the number of farms available as similar or slightly lower, indicating that tight inventory continues to support land values. Key Factors Influencing Iowa Farmland Values Survey participants ranked the following factors as the most influential forces affecting farmland prices. Top Market Drivers Commodity Prices Supply of Land Available Interest Rates General Economic Conditions Government Programs Commodity prices remained the most important factor influencing farmland values, while the availability of land on the market moved into the second-most influential position. Who is Buying Iowa Farmland? Farmers remain the dominant buyers in the Iowa farmland market. Buyer Breakdown Farmers: 57% Farmers with 1031 Exchange Funds: 10% Local Investors: 11% Local Investors with 1031 Funds: 7% Non-Local Investors: 7% Non-Local Investors with 1031 Funds: 6% These results show that operator demand continues to anchor the farmland market, while investors remain active participants. Expected Returns on Farmland Survey participants were asked to estimate expected returns on agricultural land. Expected Return on Cropland Most respondents indicated expected annual returns of approximately 2%–3%. Expected Return on CRP Land CRP land is expected to produce 3–4% annual returns, reflecting stable government program income streams. Five-Year Outlook for Iowa Farmland Market participants are increasingly optimistic about long-term farmland values. Expected Farmland Value Change Over the Next Five Years 68% expect farmland values to increase 0–10% 18% expect increases of 11–20% Only a small percentage expect declining values. This suggests growing confidence that farmland values will continue to perform well over the long term. Long-Term Iowa Farmland Performance Even with recent market adjustments, Iowa farmland remains one of the strongest performing long-term agricultural assets. Key Long-Term Data +44.3% increase from September 2020 to March 2023 -10.5% correction from March 2023 through 2025 March 2026 marks the first positive survey reading in nearly three years This reinforces the historical pattern that farmland markets move through periods of growth, correction, and stabilization. Why Choose Whitaker Marketing Group for Iowa Farmland? Survey Participation: Active contributors to the REALTORS® Land Institute Iowa Chapter land trends surveys. Specialized Knowledge: Exclusive focus on agricultural land transactions across the Midwest. Transaction Volume: Millions of dollars in farmland sales handled annually. Advanced Valuation: Proprietary farmland analysis incorporating CSR2 ratings, yields, and recent sales. Auction Expertise: Experienced auctioneers delivering competitive bidding environments. Complete Representation: From consultation through closing. Free Iowa Farmland Valuation Discover What Your Iowa Farmland Is Worth in Today’s Market If you are considering selling farmland or simply want to understand how these trends impact your property, our team provides complimentary farmland market analysis for Iowa landowners. Your free analysis includes: Current farmland value estimate Soil productivity and CSR2 analysis Recent comparable sales Auction potential evaluation Income and return projections Contact Whitaker Marketing Group today. Phone: (515) 996-5263 Email: info@wmgauction.com Request a Free Farmland Valuation → CLICK HERE!

Women play a significant and growing role across the agricultural industry. From lending and agronomy to animal science and extension services, women contribute to nearly every part of modern agriculture. At the same time, farmland ownership tends to skew older. While many people are involved in agriculture professionally, only a small percentage of farmland owners are under the age of 35. Farmland Fact Video If you prefer to watch instead of read, you can view the short video below. Prefer YouTube? Watch the video here Women’s Role Across Agriculture Women account for roughly 36% of the overall agricultural workforce. Their presence spans many sectors that support farming operations and land management. Across the industry, women make up approximately: 60% of agricultural extension roles About 50% of agricultural lenders Roughly 35% of agricultural retail positions About 45% of agronomy-related careers These roles help farmers manage risk, improve crop performance, and make better land management decisions. Animal Science and Veterinary Fields Women have an even stronger presence in animal science fields. Across the United States, women represent approximately 75–85% of practicing veterinarians. This trend reflects how the agricultural workforce continues to evolve while still supporting core livestock and crop production systems. Farmland Ownership by Age Despite the strong presence of women and younger professionals working in agriculture, farmland ownership still tends to concentrate among older generations. Only about 9% of farmland owners are under the age of 35. Because farmland is often held for decades or passed down through families, ownership tends to shift slowly over time. Why This Matters to Landowners Understanding who works in agriculture and who owns farmland helps explain many of the trends seen in today’s land market. Generational ownership patterns, inheritance, and long-term investment decisions all influence how farmland transfers between owners. As new professionals enter agriculture, the future of farmland ownership will likely continue to evolve. The Bigger Takeaway Agriculture depends on a wide range of professionals—from agronomists and lenders to veterinarians and extension specialists. Women play a major role in these sectors, even as farmland ownership itself remains concentrated among older 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.