Iowa farmland auction results from August 22–28, 2026, showed successful sales ranging from $7,700 to $19,000 per acre. Sales were reported across multiple Iowa counties, with several high-quality tillable farms bringing more than $12,000 per acre. Other properties resulted in no sales, undisclosed prices, or undetermined results.
For landowners, farmers, and investors, individual farmland auctions provide a useful look at what buyers are willing to pay in different areas of Iowa.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Iowa farmland sales and what the results may tell us about the market.
What Did Iowa Farmland Sell for This Week?
Among the sales with reported prices from August 22 through August 28, 2026, farmland brought between $7,700 and $19,000 per acre.
The highest reported sale was in Henry County, where 158.26 acres sold for $19,000 per acre. A 162-acre Scott County farm also produced a strong result at $18,600 per acre.
Other notable results included:
- Henry County: 80 acres sold for $18,200 per acre
- Emmet County: 152.80 acres sold for $14,800 per acre
- Mitchell County: 78 acres sold for $14,200 per acre
- Benton County: 278.86 acres sold for $13,300 per acre
- Tama County: Multiple farms sold from $12,700 to $12,800 per acre
- Plymouth County: 129.85 acres sold for $12,500 per acre
- Floyd County: 141.11 acres sold for $11,500 per acre
- Worth County: 177.79 acres sold for $11,373 per acre
- Fayette County: Farms sold for $10,800 and $11,100 per acre
- Guthrie County: 140 acres sold for $9,000 per acre
- Johnson County: 71.14 acres sold for $7,700 per acre
These results demonstrate why statewide averages do not tell the entire story. Iowa farmland values can vary significantly from one property to another.
What Was the Highest Iowa Farmland Sale This Week?
The highest reported price was $19,000 per acre in Henry County, Iowa.
That property consisted of approximately 158.26 acres, including about 147 tillable acres, with an 87.1 tillable CSR2.
Another Henry County property sold for $18,200 per acre. That 80-acre farm had a tillable CSR2 of 90.1.
Scott County also recorded one of the week’s strongest results. Approximately 162 acres sold for $18,600 per acre, with a 91.9 tillable CSR2 and approximately 158.5 tillable acres.
These results reinforce the premium that buyers may place on productive farmland with strong soils and a high percentage of tillable acres.
How Did Tama County Farmland Perform?
Tama County had several farmland sales during the week, providing an interesting look at pricing within a single county.
Three tillable farms sold on August 27:
- 74.5 acres — $12,700 per acre
- 68.7 acres — $12,750 per acre
- 76 acres — $12,800 per acre
Their tillable CSR2 ratings ranged from approximately 85.8 to 89.4.
A 74.7-acre tillable and pasture property sold the following day for $10,100 per acre.
The Tama County results are a good example of why land type, tillable acres, soil productivity, location, and other property characteristics should be considered when comparing farmland sales.
Does a Higher CSR2 Mean a Higher Farmland Price?
A higher CSR2 can contribute to a higher farmland value, but CSR2 alone does not determine what an Iowa farm will sell for.
This week’s results illustrate that point.
For example, the Scott County farm had a 91.9 tillable CSR2 and sold for $18,600 per acre. However, Tama County farms with tillable CSR2 ratings in the upper 80s sold for approximately $12,700 to $12,800 per acre.
Meanwhile, a Plymouth County property with a 64.5 tillable CSR2 sold for $12,500 per acre.
Buyers may also consider:
- Location
- Percentage of tillable acres
- Drainage and tile
- Farm shape and field efficiency
- Access
- Local competition
- Tenant and lease terms
- Improvements
- Development potential
- Recreational value
- Additional income sources
That is why comparing farmland solely by CSR2 can produce misleading conclusions.
What Does Price Per Tillable CSR2 Tell Buyers?
One useful way to compare Iowa farmland sales is to look at the price paid per tillable CSR2 point. This helps provide additional context when comparing farms with different soil productivity ratings.
Among the reported sales from August 22–28, the price per tillable CSR2 ranged considerably. Plymouth County recorded the highest figure at approximately $236 per tillable CSR2 point, followed closely by a Henry County sale at $235. Worth County reached $228, another Henry County sale reached $220, and Scott County came in at $207.
However, this measurement should not be used by itself to determine farmland value. Buyers are purchasing more than a soil rating. Location, local competition, percentage of tillable acres, drainage, access, improvements, development potential and other income opportunities can all influence the final sale price.
Did Every Iowa Farmland Auction Result in a Sale?
No. Several properties in this week’s data were reported as no sales, while others had undisclosed or undetermined sale prices.
No-sale results were reported in counties including Tama, Lucas, Madison and Calhoun.
A no-sale auction does not necessarily mean there was little buyer interest. The highest bid may simply have failed to meet the seller’s expectations or reserve.
Likewise, an undisclosed result means the final sale price was not publicly available in the data reviewed.
This is important when analyzing farmland auction results. Looking only at successful transactions can leave out part of the market.
What Can Iowa Landowners Learn From These Farmland Sales?
The biggest takeaway is that Iowa farmland remains a highly localized market.
Two farms can have similar acreage and CSR2 ratings yet produce significantly different prices.
For sellers, the final value of a farm can depend on who is likely to compete for it, how the property is marketed, how the sale is structured, and current demand within that particular area.
For buyers, recent comparable sales can provide a starting point for determining value. However, buyers should evaluate the individual characteristics of the property before deciding what they are willing to pay.
Why Are Recent Farmland Auction Results Important?
Recent farmland auction results provide one of the clearest real-world indicators of current buyer demand.
Unlike an asking price, a completed sale shows what a buyer was actually willing to pay for a property at a particular point in time.
However, one sale should never be used by itself to establish the value of another farm.
A better farmland analysis considers several recent comparable sales and adjusts for differences in:
- Soil quality
- Tillable acres
- Location
- Improvements
- Drainage
- Access
- Land use
- Income
- Buyer competition
The more comparable the properties are, the more useful the sales become.
Thinking About Selling Farmland in Iowa?
If you own farmland and are wondering what it could sell for in today’s market, recent sales are a great place to start—but they are only part of the equation.
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we analyze recent farmland sales, soil productivity, local buyer demand, property characteristics, and market conditions to help Iowa landowners understand their options.
Whether you are considering a farmland auction, traditional listing, or sealed-bid sale, choosing the right sales strategy can be just as important as determining the property’s value.
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