Welcome to the latest farmland market update from Whitaker Marketing Group! Let’s dig into what’s happening in the Iowa farmland market as of May 2025.
Current Farmland Prices
Here’s the latest breakdown of farmland prices across Iowa:
- High-quality ground: $13,709/acre
- Medium-quality ground: $9,484/acre
- Low-quality ground: $5,300/acre
Top-notch farms are holding strong, with buyers clearly favoring quality. This aligns with trends seen over the past year, where high-quality land has consistently commanded a premium.
Regional Price Trends: A Closer Look
Breaking it down by Iowa’s crop reporting districts (Dec 2024 – May 2025), we see significant variation in land values based on quality and location:
- Northwest: High-quality land averages $14,913/acre ($168/CSR2), while low-quality land sits at $8,200/acre ($165/CSR2).
- North Central: High-quality land is at $12,552/acre ($149/CSR2), with low-quality at a stark $2,704/acre ($59/CSR2)—the lowest in the state.
- Northeast: High-quality land reaches $12,794/acre ($147/CSR2), but low-quality land averages $8,467/acre with a surprisingly high $307/CSR2, indicating unique soil or market dynamics.
- East Central: High-quality land is $13,446/acre ($157/CSR2), with low-quality at $10,460/acre ($250/CSR2).
The data shows that high-quality land in the Northwest commands the highest per-acre price, while North Central’s low-quality land remains the cheapest. However, when adjusted for CSR2, the Northeast’s low-quality land has an unusually high cost per point—suggesting buyers are paying a premium for specific attributes in that region.
Price Trends Over Time
Looking at the past year (April 2024 – May 2025), farmland prices have shown distinct trajectories:
- High-quality land: Peaked at $14,287/acre in June 2024 but settled at $13,709/acre by May 2025—a slight decline but still robust.
- Medium-quality land: Steady around $9,484/acre, with a high of $9,758/acre in October 2024.
- Low-quality land: Dropped from $6,679/acre in April 2024 to $5,300/acre in May 2025, reflecting weaker demand.
This trend underscores buyer preference for high-quality ground, which has maintained its value far better than low-quality land. If you’re considering selling, focusing on the quality of your acreage could make a big difference in your sale price.
Auction Activity: A Surge in April
We’ve noticed a small uptick in land auctions in April 2025, as more landowners test the market. Comparing auction activity year-over-year:
- 2024: Peaked at 215 auctions in September, averaging 87–120 auctions per month in the second half of the year.
- 2025: Started slower with 75 auctions in January, but climbed to 88 in April—a sign of growing confidence among sellers.
This increase suggests optimism among landowners, particularly for high-quality parcels that continue to attract strong buyer interest. If you’re thinking about an auction, now may be a strategic time to act.
What Does This Mean for You?
The farmland market in May 2025 remains dynamic, with clear opportunities for landowners who hold high-quality ground. Buyers continue to prioritize premium farms, and the recent uptick in auctions shows a healthy, active market. However, lower-quality land faces softer demand, making accurate valuation and strong marketing key.
If you’re wondering what your land is worth or thinking about making a move, now’s a great time to start the conversation. At Whitaker Marketing Group, we’re always happy to talk dirt!
Call us: 515-996-5263
Visit: IowaLandGuy.com
Email: info@wmgauction.com
Whitaker Marketing Group | Iowa Land Guy
Trusted. Proven. Profitable.
For a detailed breakdown of regional pricing and auction activity, check out the graphs below.
For more farmland updates, see our latest market reports and upcoming auctions.
Regional farmland price comparison – May 2025.
Monthly auction activity trends for Iowa farmland – 2024 to 2025.
Land value map by High, Low and Medium Ground – May 2025.
Comparison of high, medium, and low-quality farmland prices – May 2025.
