Iowa farmland auction results from August 1–7, 2026, showed a wide range of values across the state. Based on the sales in this week’s data, 29 farms totaling approximately 3,040.79 acres were reported. Of the 26 sales with disclosed prices, values ranged from $6,500 to $21,500 per acre, with an average of approximately $13,044 per acre.
The Iowa farmland market continues to show that location, soil quality, tillable acres, competition, and individual property characteristics can make a major difference in what buyers are willing to pay.
What Did Iowa Farmland Sell for August 1–7, 2026?
During the week of August 1 through August 7, reported farmland sales were spread across several areas of Iowa.
The highest reported sale was in O’Brien County at $21,500 per acre. That property consisted of 74.68 acres and had a tillable CSR2 of 93.2.
On the other end of the range, a Van Buren County farm sold for $6,500 per acre. That property consisted of 86 acres with a tillable CSR2 of 54.8.
Across the 26 properties with disclosed sale prices, the simple average was approximately $13,044 per acre, while the median was $12,550 per acre.
These numbers demonstrate why statewide averages should be used as a reference rather than an exact measure of what an individual Iowa farm is worth.
High-Quality Iowa Farmland Continued to Bring Strong Prices
Some of the strongest results of the week came from northwest Iowa.
O’Brien County had several notable sales, including farms that brought:
- $21,500 per acre – 74.68 acres, 93.2 tillable CSR2
- $19,000 per acre – 78.27 acres, 98.0 tillable CSR2
- $18,400 per acre – 159.76 acres, 97.7 tillable CSR2
- $17,800 per acre – 92.53 acres, 91.4 tillable CSR2
- $17,100 per acre – 158.80 acres with a wind turbine, 97.5 tillable CSR2
These results show the continued demand for productive farmland with strong soils.
However, CSR2 is only one part of farmland value. Location, drainage, field shape, access, local competition, improvements, tenancy, and development or recreational potential can all affect the final sale price.
What Happened in Central Iowa?
Central Iowa also produced several strong farmland sales during the week.
Marshall County reported an 88.80-acre farm selling for $13,900 per acre with a tillable CSR2 of 95.
Dallas County was especially active. Reported sales ranged from $9,350 to $15,200 per acre. One 47.60-acre property brought $15,200 per acre, while an 81.50-acre property sold for $13,600 per acre.
The variation within a single county is a good example of why landowners should be cautious about comparing their farm to just one nearby auction.
Two farms can be located in the same county and still have significantly different values.
Recreational and Mixed-Use Farms Tell a Different Story
Not every Iowa farm should be evaluated strictly on its crop production.
A Buchanan County property classified as tillable-recreational sold for $10,000 per acre. The farm totaled 79 acres, with approximately 50.27 tillable acres and a tillable CSR2 of 64.3.
Another tillable-recreational property in Benton County had an undisclosed sale price.
Recreational farms can attract buyers for reasons beyond agricultural income. Timber, hunting opportunities, wildlife habitat, water sources, CRP, location, and overall recreational appeal can add value that is not reflected in CSR2 alone.
What Does Price Per Tillable CSR2 Tell Us?
One useful way to compare farmland sales is the price paid per tillable CSR2 point.
Among the properties where this figure was available, the reported numbers ranged from approximately $136 to $254 per tillable CSR2 point.
The O’Brien County farm that sold for $21,500 per acre reached approximately $254 per tillable CSR2 point, the highest figure in this week’s data.
However, price per CSR2 should not be used by itself to determine farmland value. It is simply another tool for comparing sales.
A farm with fewer tillable acres, recreational characteristics, improvements, development potential, or another unique feature may produce a much different price-per-CSR2 figure than a nearly 100% tillable farm.
What Can Iowa Landowners Learn From This Week’s Sales?
The biggest takeaway from the Iowa farmland auction results for August 1–7, 2026 is the amount of variation in the market.
The disclosed sales ranged by $15,000 per acre from the lowest to highest result.
That does not necessarily mean one buyer overpaid or another seller received too little. It reflects how localized the farmland market can be.
When determining what a farm may be worth, consider factors such as soil productivity, percentage of tillable acres, drainage, location, access, field configuration, local buyer demand, improvements, recreational opportunities, and current lease terms.
Is Iowa Farmland Still in Demand?
This week’s results suggest buyers are still willing to compete for quality Iowa farmland, particularly when a property combines strong soils with a desirable location.
At the same time, the results show that there is no single statewide price for farmland.
A high-quality farm in one county may sell for considerably more than a property only a few counties away. Even farms within the same county can produce very different results.
That makes recent local comparable sales especially important when evaluating farmland.
Thinking About Selling Iowa Farmland?
If you own farmland and are considering selling, recent auction results can provide useful information—but they are only the starting point.
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we evaluate the individual characteristics of the property, recent comparable sales, local buyer demand, and the goals of the landowner before recommending a marketing and sale strategy.
Whether the right approach is a live auction, online auction, sealed bid sale, or traditional listing depends on the farm and the seller.
If you’re wondering what your Iowa farmland could be worth in today’s market, contact Whitaker Marketing Group for a property evaluation.
