Even during a quieter auction week, a single verified sale can reveal meaningful insight into buyer behavior—and, more importantly, why auctions continue to provide clarity for farmland sellers.
This week’s Iowa farmland auction results include a confirmed tillable sale in Fremont County, offering a clear snapshot of how productive land is being valued at year-end.
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we review weekly auction data because auctions do not rely on opinions or asking prices. Instead, they show exactly what buyers are willing to pay in real time. As a result, even limited data can provide strong guidance for sellers.
Weekly Iowa Farmland Auction Snapshot (December 27, 2025 – January 2, 2026)
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County: Fremont County, Iowa
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Land Type: Tillable
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Acres Sold: 38.99 acres
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Sale Price: $13,500 per acre
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CSR2 Rating: 79
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Tillable Acres: 38.99 acres
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$ per CSR2 Point: $171
What This Week’s Auction Data Means for Iowa Farmland Sellers
Buyers Continue to Pay for Productive Tillable Ground
First and foremost, this Fremont County auction confirms that buyers remain active for productive farmland.
With a CSR2 of 79, this tract falls into the above-average productivity category. Consequently, competitive bidding resulted in a $13,500 per-acre sale price, even during a slower holiday-period auction window.
Seller takeaway:
Even outside Iowa’s highest-priced counties, quality tillable land continues to attract serious buyers when offered through a transparent auction process.
$ Per CSR2 Highlights Disciplined Buyer Behavior
In addition to price per acre, the $171 per CSR2 point figure provides valuable insight into buyer decision-making.
Specifically, this metric shows that buyers are:
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Evaluating long-term productivity
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Comparing efficiency across tracts
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Bidding based on data, not emotion
As a result, auctions naturally filter out uncertainty and allow informed buyers to compete confidently.
Seller takeaway:
Auctions reveal true market value by aligning buyer competition with land productivity.
Smaller Acreage Farms Still Perform Well at Auction
Although larger tracts often dominate headlines, this sale demonstrates that smaller farms can perform efficiently at auction.
In many cases, sub-40-acre tracts attract:
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Local operators
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Neighboring landowners
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Investors seeking manageable acreage
When exposure is strong and marketing is targeted, these buyers are willing to compete.
Seller takeaway:
Auction success is not limited by acreage size. Instead, it depends on proper positioning and buyer access.
Why Auctions Matter—Especially in Quieter Weeks
While not every week produces multiple sales, quieter periods actually reinforce the value of auctions.
Unlike private listings, auctions provide:
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Defined timelines
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Immediate market feedback
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Clear buyer intent
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Transparency that builds confidence
Therefore, even a single sale can offer sellers valuable direction.
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we believe sellers benefit most when their land is allowed to find its true value through open competition rather than prolonged negotiation.
How Sellers Should Use Weekly Auction Data
Rather than focusing solely on headlines, sellers should view weekly auction results as benchmarks.
For example, recent sales help answer:
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How buyers are valuing productivity
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Whether location premiums still apply
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What pricing efficiency looks like right now
Consequently, these insights help sellers decide if, when, and how to sell.
Considering an Auction? Let Data Guide the Decision
Every farm is different. However, acreage, CSR2, county demand, and timing all play a role in auction outcomes.
That is why successful auctions begin with data-backed evaluation, not assumptions.
This week’s Fremont County result reinforces that:
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Buyers remain engaged
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Productivity continues to matter
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Auctions still provide reliable price discovery
Thinking About Selling Farmland by Auction?
If you are considering an auction, the first step is understanding how your farm compares to recent sales like this one.
A professional auction evaluation can help determine:
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Buyer interest levels
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Appropriate auction format
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Timing considerations
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Market positioning strategy
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we rely on real auction data—not guesswork—to help landowners make informed selling decisions.
