Iowa farmland auctions continued to show a wide range of sale prices during the week of October 31–November 6, 2026. Strong demand for productive cropland helped push several farms above $20,000 per acre, while properties with lower soil ratings, pasture, or recreational uses generally brought lower prices.
This week’s auction results highlight an important trend in the Iowa farmland market: buyers continue to place a premium on high-quality, productive farmland, but location, land use, and property characteristics can significantly influence the final sale price.
Whitaker Marketing Group reviews weekly farmland auction results to help Iowa landowners, farmers, and investors better understand current market activity.
Iowa Farmland Auction Highlights: October 31–November 6, 2026
Several notable sales took place across Iowa during this reporting period.
O’Brien County Farmland Tops $21,000 Per Acre
O’Brien County recorded some of the week’s highest farmland auction prices, with three tracts selling above $21,000 per acre.
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232.83 acres sold for $21,300 per acre, with a CSR2 of 99.3.
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80.23 acres sold for $21,200 per acre, with a CSR2 of 96.9.
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160.43 acres sold for $21,100 per acre, with a CSR2 of 97.8.
These sales demonstrate the strong prices that highly productive northwest Iowa farmland can achieve. The tracts also illustrate how buyers evaluate soil productivity alongside other property characteristics.
Lyon County Farm Sells for $20,200 Per Acre
A 75.48-acre farm in Lyon County sold for $20,200 per acre. The property had a CSR2 rating of 92.5 and included 72.90 tillable acres.
This result further demonstrates the demand for quality farmland in northwest Iowa, where productive soils and established agricultural operations can attract competitive bidding.
Emmet County Sees Multiple Farmland Sales
Emmet County experienced significant auction activity during the week, with eight reported tracts selling between $10,850 and $16,000 per acre.
One of the highest sales involved 149.34 acres that brought $16,000 per acre, with a CSR2 rating of 86.9.
Another 164.72-acre tract sold for $15,700 per acre, with a CSR2 rating of 85.
The range of prices in Emmet County shows that farms within the same county can sell for substantially different amounts, even when their soil productivity ratings are relatively similar.
How Did Farmland Prices Compare Across Iowa?
The week’s results reflected considerable variation across different parts of the state.
In northern and northwest Iowa, several highly productive farms sold for more than $15,000 per acre. Meanwhile, sales in other counties reflected a broader mix of farmland quality and land uses.
For example, a 170-acre farm in Adams County sold for $10,200 per acre with a CSR2 of 73.4. In Poweshiek County, a 115.6-acre farm sold for $8,500 per acre with a CSR2 of 59.5.
A 143.58-acre pasture property in Cerro Gordo County sold for $4,950 per acre, illustrating how land use can influence value.
These results reinforce why farmland prices should not be evaluated solely by comparing price per acre. Soil quality, tillable acreage, drainage, access, location, and other property characteristics all contribute to what buyers are willing to pay.
Weekly Iowa Farmland Auction Market Summary
Reported auction tracts
48
Tracts with disclosed sale prices
43
Average reported price per acre
$13,036
Highest reported price per acre
$21,300
Based on the supplied auction results for October 31–November 6, 2026. The average is an unweighted average of disclosed positive per-acre prices across different land types, not a statewide farmland value estimate.
Of the 48 reported auction tracts, 43 had disclosed sale prices, two were reported as no sales, and the remaining three had unavailable or undisclosed prices.
The median reported sale price was $13,581 per acre, while four tracts sold for $20,000 per acre or more.
These figures provide a snapshot of auction activity during the reporting period rather than a comprehensive measure of all Iowa farmland transactions.
What Do These Auction Results Mean for Iowa Landowners?
For Iowa farmland owners considering a sale, this week’s results demonstrate why understanding the individual characteristics of a property is essential.
A farm’s CSR2 rating is an important measure of soil productivity, but it is only one factor buyers consider. Drainage improvements, field configuration, location, access, and the amount of tillable acreage can all influence market value.
The results also show that farmland values can vary considerably within the same county. Comparing a property with recent sales involving similar soil quality, location, and land use provides a more meaningful picture of its potential market value.
Looking Ahead at the Iowa Farmland Market
As the fall 2026 farmland auction season continues, buyers and sellers will be watching upcoming sales for additional indications of market demand.
Strong prices for highly productive farmland continue to demonstrate buyer interest in quality agricultural assets. However, the variation among this week’s results also reinforces the importance of evaluating each farm individually.
Whether you’re considering selling farmland, purchasing additional acres, or simply monitoring land values, staying informed about recent auction results can help you make better decisions.
What Is Your Iowa Farmland Worth?
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we specialize in farmland auctions, traditional listings, and land valuations throughout Iowa and the Midwest.
Our team follows farmland auction activity and uses comparable sales, property characteristics, and local market knowledge to help landowners understand their property’s value.
If you’re thinking about selling farmland or would simply like to know what your property might bring in today’s market, we’re here to help.
Contact Whitaker Marketing Group at 515-996-5263 or visit www.wmgauction.com to request a no-obligation consultation.
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