Iowa farmland auction results from August 29 through September 4, 2026, showed a wide range of prices across the state. Reported sales ranged from $8,400 to $23,550 per acre, with several farms selling for more than $17,000 per acre.
The week’s data included tillable farmland, CRP ground, recreational property, irrigated land, and farmsteads. Results also varied considerably by county, soil quality, and property type.
For Iowa landowners, these sales offer a useful look at the current market. More importantly, they show why farmland values need to be evaluated at the local level.
How Much Did Iowa Farmland Sell for This Week?
The highest reported sale was in Jones County, where 172.48 acres sold for $23,550 per acre. The farm had a tillable CSR2 of 93.1 and 170.14 tillable acres.
Chickasaw County also had several strong results. Three properties there sold for $18,000, $18,100, and $21,800 per acre. Meanwhile, an Osceola County farm reached $17,900 per acre.
At the other end of the range, a recreational property in Allamakee County sold for $8,400 per acre. A Dallas County tillable/CRP property sold for $8,500 per acre.
The difference between these sales highlights an important point: Iowa farmland does not have one statewide price.
Shelby and Crawford-Shelby County Farmland Sales
Two Shelby County farms sold on August 29. A 136.71-acre tillable farm brought $12,800 per acre, while a 39-acre farm sold for $13,000 per acre. Their tillable CSR2 ratings were 69.4 and 68.
A larger 201.54-acre property in Crawford-Shelby counties sold for $11,600 per acre. It included 196.81 tillable acres and had a tillable CSR2 of 66.5.
Dallas and Jasper County Farmland Sales
Dallas County had two sales with an interesting difference in price. A 193.37-acre tillable farm with an 85.2 CSR2 sold for $12,300 per acre. A 157.96-acre tillable/CRP property with an 83.3 CSR2 sold for $8,500 per acre.
Despite having relatively similar CSR2 ratings, the properties had a $3,800-per-acre difference in sale price. That is a good example of why soil ratings alone cannot determine farmland value.
In Jasper County, a 78.72-acre tillable farm sold for $9,400 per acre. The property had 74.02 tillable acres and a tillable CSR2 of 70.
Black Hawk and Grundy County Results
Black Hawk County produced two sales above $15,000 per acre. A 38.44-acre farm sold for $15,146 per acre, while a 108.63-acre farm brought $15,278 per acre.
Both farms had strong soils. Their tillable CSR2 ratings were 88.5 and 89.8.
Two Grundy County farms also had strong soil ratings of 90.7 and 92.8. However, the sale prices for those properties were not disclosed.
Jefferson County Farmland Sales
Three Jefferson County farms sold during the week, with prices ranging from $9,600 to $11,400 per acre.
A 41.46-acre farm sold for $9,600 per acre, a 74-acre farm brought $11,400 per acre, and a 99.07-acre farm sold for $10,900 per acre. The tillable CSR2 ratings were very similar, ranging from 64.7 to 65.1.
Once again, the results show that farms with similar soil ratings can produce different sale prices.
Allamakee County Land Results
Allamakee County had a mix of tillable and recreational properties in the week’s data. A 30-acre tillable farm sold for $11,000 per acre, while a 48-acre recreational property brought $8,400 per acre.
Several other Allamakee County properties had undisclosed prices. An 84.81-acre recreation/farmstead property was reported as a no sale.
Because these properties had different land uses, comparing them strictly on a price-per-acre basis would not provide a complete picture.
Jones County Records the Highest Price
One of the most notable sales of the week came from Jones County. A 172.48-acre tillable farm sold for $23,550 per acre, making it the highest reported price in this dataset.
The farm had approximately 170.14 tillable acres and a tillable CSR2 of 93.1. Based on the reported figures, the sale equaled about $256 per tillable CSR2 point.
The combination of highly tillable acres and strong soils helped make this property stand out among the week’s results.
Kossuth County Farmland Sales
Three Kossuth County properties sold during the week. An 80-acre tillable farm brought $13,250 per acre, while a 160-acre tillable/CRP farm sold for $13,000 per acre.
A third property containing 152.71 acres sold for $10,000 per acre. That farm was also classified as tillable/CRP.
With three sales in the same county, these results provide another useful example of how individual farm characteristics can affect value.
Mills and Pocahontas County Results
Two Mills County properties appeared in the data, but neither had a final reported price. One included 106.92 acres of tillable/CRP ground, while the other contained 235.2 acres of tillable and irrigated land.
In Pocahontas County, a 172.9-acre tillable/CRP property sold for $9,800 per acre. It had 159.21 tillable acres and a tillable CSR2 of 82.9.
Osceola County Farmland Sales
Osceola County had three reported sales on September 4, and all three brought more than $14,000 per acre.
Two separate 80-acre farms sold for $17,900 and $16,000 per acre. A 65.02-acre property brought $14,200 per acre.
The tillable CSR2 ratings ranged from 83.3 to 86. Even with similar soil ratings, there was a noticeable difference between the highest and lowest sale prices.
Chickasaw County Posts Strong Results
Chickasaw County finished the week with three notable sales. A 74.32-acre tillable farm sold for $18,100 per acre, while a 40-acre farm brought $18,000 per acre.
The highest Chickasaw County result came from a 160-acre tillable/farmstead property. It sold for $21,800 per acre, which was the second-highest reported price in this week’s data.
Overall, Chickasaw County was one of the strongest areas represented in the August 29 through September 4 results.
Does CSR2 Determine Iowa Farmland Value?
CSR2 is an important measurement when evaluating Iowa farmland, but it does not determine a farm’s value by itself.
This week’s results make that clear. Some farms with similar CSR2 ratings sold for very different prices. Even within the same county, prices varied from one property to another.
Buyers consider many factors beyond soil quality. Drainage, location, field shape, road access, tillable acres, improvements, tenancy, parcel size, and local buyer competition can all affect the final price.
For that reason, using a simple dollar-per-CSR2 formula can miss important characteristics that make one farm more valuable than another.
What Can We Learn From This Week’s Iowa Farmland Sales?
The biggest takeaway is the amount of variation in the market. Reported prices ranged from less than $9,000 per acre to more than $23,000 per acre in a single week.
That does not necessarily mean one farm was overpriced or another was a bargain. Instead, it shows how local Iowa farmland markets can be.
A neighboring farmer may place a premium on a property that fits an existing operation. Another farm may attract investors because of its soils and rental income. Recreational land, CRP acres, improvements, drainage, and development potential can also change the buyer pool.
Therefore, the better question for a landowner isn’t simply, “What is Iowa farmland worth?”
It is “What are farms similar to mine selling for in my area?”
How Can I Find Out What My Iowa Farm Is Worth?
Recent comparable sales are an important starting point. However, a good farmland evaluation should look beyond the average price per acre.
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we look at the entire property. That includes soil quality, tillable acres, drainage, location, access, improvements, income, tenancy, and recent local sales. We also consider the buyers who are most likely to compete for the property.
That last part can be especially important. The value of a farm is ultimately determined by what buyers are willing to pay for it.
Thinking About Selling Farmland in Iowa?
Whitaker Marketing Group specializes in Iowa farmland sales and auctions. We help landowners understand their property’s potential value and determine the best way to bring it to market.
Depending on the farm and the seller’s goals, the right strategy may be a live auction, sealed-bid auction, or traditional listing. Each property is different, so the selling method should fit the farm rather than forcing every property into the same process.
If you’re considering selling farmland in Iowa, contact Whitaker Marketing Group to discuss your property, recent sales in your area, and the options available to you.
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