This report on weekly Iowa farmland auction results provides landowners with clear insight into buyer demand, pricing trends, and how auctions are performing across the state.
Weekly Iowa Farmland Auction Snapshot (Early January 2026)
This week’s statewide auction activity included a broad range of land types and pricing outcomes.
Specifically, the data reflects:
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Tillable, pasture, CRP, and mixed-use tracts
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Sale prices ranging from $7,100 to $22,000 per acre
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Strong premiums for high-quality tillable land
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Several No Sale and Undisclosed results
Therefore, this dataset provides a balanced look at current buyer behavior across Iowa.
What This Week’s Auction Results Mean for Iowa Sellers
First, Strong Tillable Farms Continue to Command Premium Prices
First and foremost, quality tillable farmland continues to perform well when exposed to competitive bidding.
For example:
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A Lyon County tillable tract sold for $22,000 per acre
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Meanwhile, a Woodbury County tillable farm brought $18,100 per acre
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Additionally, multiple tillable sales exceeded $11,000 per acre
As a result, buyers clearly remain willing to compete for productive land.
Seller takeaway:
When quality farmland is positioned correctly and offered at auction, competition often drives stronger pricing.
Next, $ Per CSR2 Confirms Buyers Are Bidding on Productivity
In addition to headline prices, buyers continue to rely on productivity metrics.
Specifically:
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$/CSR2 values reached $325 on top-performing tracts
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Meanwhile, mid-range farms traded closer to $130–$170 per CSR2
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Conversely, lower productivity or mixed-use farms reflected more conservative pricing
Therefore, CSR2 remains a critical comparison tool for buyers.
Seller takeaway:
Auctions reward farms that are clearly documented and accurately presented.
Additionally, Mixed-Use and Pasture Land Require a Targeted Auction Approach
While tillable land performed strongly, mixed-use properties showed a wider range of outcomes.
For instance:
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Pasture-tillable tracts traded between $7,100 and $8,500 per acre
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In contrast, some CRP-related tracts resulted in No Sale
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Meanwhile, irrigated farms showed consistent buyer interest
Consequently, strategy becomes increasingly important as land complexity increases.
Seller takeaway:
Auctions work for all land types, but marketing and structure matter more for mixed-use properties.
Importantly, “No Sale” Results Still Provide Market Clarity
Importantly, several tracts did not sell this week.
However, this should not be viewed as a negative outcome. Instead, auctions provide immediate feedback.
In many cases, no-sale results reflect:
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Reserve levels above current market conditions
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Timing considerations
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Buyer pools that require adjustment
Therefore, auctions still deliver value even when a property does not sell.
Seller takeaway:
An auction defines the market, even when it does not result in a closing.
Why Auctions Continue to Benefit Iowa Farmland Sellers
Overall, auctions continue to offer advantages that other sale methods often cannot.
Specifically, auctions provide:
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True price discovery
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Defined timelines
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Transparent buyer competition
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Clear market signals
As a result, sellers gain confidence and clarity throughout the process.
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we believe sellers benefit most when the market is allowed to speak openly.
How Sellers Should Use Weekly Auction Data
Rather than focusing on a single sale, landowners should evaluate trends.
For example, weekly data helps sellers understand:
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How buyers are valuing productivity
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Which land types are attracting competition
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Where expectations may need adjustment
Therefore, auction data becomes a planning tool, not just a recap.
Finally, Considering an Auction? Let Data Lead the Decision
Ultimately, every farm is different.
However, acreage, CSR2, land use, and location all influence results. Therefore, successful auctions begin with data-driven evaluation rather than assumptions.
This week’s results reinforce that:
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Buyers remain engaged
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Quality still matters
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Auctions continue to deliver honest market feedback
By reviewing weekly Iowa farmland auction results, sellers can better understand market conditions and make informed decisions about selling by auction.
Thinking About Selling Farmland by Auction?
If you are considering selling, the first step is understanding how your farm compares to recent statewide auction results.
As a result, a professional auction evaluation can help determine:
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Buyer demand
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Appropriate auction format
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Timing considerations
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Market positioning
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we rely on real auction data—not guesswork—to help landowners make informed decisions.
