Iowa farmland auction activity remained active during the week of June 20–26, 2026, with productive tillable farms continuing to generate strong interest from buyers across the state. While several sales included recreational, CRP, timber, and mixed-use properties, quality row-crop farms once again led the market with some impressive per-acre values.
This week’s results included transactions ranging from approximately 12 acres to 378 acres. A handful of auctions reported undisclosed or undetermined sale prices, but the reported transactions continue to provide valuable insight into current Iowa farmland values and buyer demand.
Key Takeaways From This Week’s Iowa Farmland Sales
Several notable trends emerged from this week’s auction activity.
Premium Iowa Farmland Continues to Bring Strong Prices
The highest reported sale of the week occurred in Sioux County, where a 15.28-acre tillable tract sold for $20,500 per acre. Although the parcel was smaller in size, it featured an outstanding 98.5 CSR2, demonstrating that exceptional soil quality continues to command premium prices.
Another strong Sioux County sale brought $16,750 per acre on a 14.99-acre tract with a 91.6 CSR2. Larger farms also continued to perform well, including a 159.92-acre Palo Alto County farm that sold for $16,200 per acre with an 87.7 CSR2, along with a 40-acre Cherokee County farm that reached $16,350 per acre.
High CSR2 Farms Continue to Attract Competitive Buyers
Many of this week’s strongest sales featured CSR2 ratings in the mid-80s to upper-90s.
Counties including Sioux, Palo Alto, Hardin, Sac, Cherokee, and Carroll all reported productive tillable farms with strong soil ratings. These results reinforce a trend that has remained consistent throughout 2026: buyers continue placing significant value on highly productive farmland capable of generating long-term income.
While CSR2 remains one of the most important factors affecting farmland value, buyers also consider drainage, field efficiency, access, and local competition when determining what they are willing to pay.
Recreational and Mixed-Use Properties Continue to Show Diverse Values
Not every auction this week involved highly productive row-crop land.
Several sales included recreational land, CRP farms, timber tracts, pasture, farmsteads, and mixed-use properties. These properties traded across a much wider pricing range as buyers evaluated factors beyond crop production.
For example, a 124.70-acre Van Buren County recreational/CRP property sold for $6,650 per acre, while a 129.50-acre wooded tract in the same county sold for $4,800 per acre. Other specialty properties, including recreational-tillable combinations and pasture tracts, reflected the unique characteristics that influence these markets.
What Do These Auction Results Mean for Iowa Landowners?
The June 20–26, 2026 Iowa farmland auction results continue to show healthy demand for productive Iowa farmland. Buyers remain willing to compete for quality farms with strong CSR2 ratings, while recreational and mixed-use properties continue attracting interest from a different segment of the market.
Landowners considering selling farmland should remember that no two farms are exactly alike. Soil quality, drainage improvements, location, tract size, access, tenancy arrangements, and local buyer demand all play an important role in determining market value.
Iowa Farmland Market Outlook
The Iowa farmland market continues to demonstrate stability as we move through the 2026 growing season. High-quality tillable farms remain among the strongest-performing property types, while recreational and specialty properties continue to find buyers based on their unique features and recreational appeal.
As additional auction results become available throughout the summer, buyers and sellers will continue monitoring commodity prices, interest rates, and regional demand to better understand where Iowa farmland values may be headed during the remainder of the year.
Thinking About Selling Farmland?
Whitaker Marketing Group specializes in Iowa farmland auctions, private treaty listings, land evaluations, and farm real estate services throughout Iowa and the Midwest.
If you are considering selling farmland, purchasing land, or simply want to better understand current Iowa farmland values, our team would be happy to discuss your property and today’s market conditions.
