Iowa farmland continued to show a wide range of values during September 2026, with individual sales ranging from below $10,000 per acre to more than $25,000 per acre. The latest monthly land sales report provides a useful snapshot of what buyers were willing to pay across different counties, soil qualities, and property types.
The September report included 111 individual land sale entries across Iowa and accounted for approximately 10,577 total acres, including approximately 9,249 tillable acres. Some properties sold at publicly reported prices, while others were listed as undisclosed, undetermined, or no sale.
For Iowa farmland owners considering a sale, the September results reinforce an important point: there is no single price for Iowa farmland. Location, soil quality, tillable acres, competition, and the individual characteristics of the farm can make a major difference in the final sale price.
How Much Did Iowa Farmland Sell for in September 2026?
September produced several strong farmland sales throughout Iowa.
One of the highest reported sales occurred in Sioux County, where 67 acres sold on September 30 for $25,500 per acre. The farm had a tillable CSR2 of 89.4.
Another Sioux County property consisting of 80 acres sold the same day for $23,000 per acre and had a tillable CSR2 of 96.
Other notable September sales included:
- Jones County: 172.48 acres sold for $23,550 per acre with a 93.1 tillable CSR2.
- Chickasaw County: 160 acres sold for $21,800 per acre with an 87 tillable CSR2.
- Chickasaw County: 74.32 acres sold for $18,100 per acre with an 87.2 tillable CSR2.
- Osceola County: 80 acres sold for $17,900 per acre with an 85.1 tillable CSR2.
- Shelby County: 71.19 acres sold for $17,900 per acre with a 57 tillable CSR2.
- Mitchell County: 154.70 acres sold for $17,300 per acre with an 88.4 tillable CSR2.
These sales demonstrate just how much farmland values can vary from one part of Iowa to another.
What Was the Highest Iowa Farmland Sale in September?
Based on the reported sales included in this data, the highest reported price per acre in September 2026 was $25,500 per acre in Sioux County.
That property consisted of 67 acres and had approximately 64.31 tillable acres with a tillable CSR2 of 89.4.
The sale is another example of the premiums buyers may be willing to pay for quality farmland in strong agricultural areas.
However, a high sale in one county should not automatically be used to value a farm somewhere else in Iowa. Farmland values are highly localized.
Does a Higher CSR2 Always Mean a Higher Sale Price?
Not necessarily.
CSR2 is an important factor when evaluating Iowa farmland, but the September sales show why it should not be considered by itself.
For example, a 71.19-acre Shelby County farm with a tillable CSR2 of 57 sold for $17,900 per acre. Meanwhile, numerous farms with considerably higher CSR2 ratings sold for less per acre.
That does not mean CSR2 is unimportant. Instead, it demonstrates that farmland buyers consider multiple factors when determining what they are willing to pay.
Those factors can include location, neighboring ownership, drainage, field configuration, access, development potential, competition between buyers, lease status, improvements, recreational characteristics, and local demand.
Iowa Farmland Prices Varied Significantly by Location
September’s sales occurred throughout Iowa, including counties such as Dallas, Black Hawk, Grundy, Jefferson, Allamakee, Jones, Kossuth, Osceola, Chickasaw, Sioux, Story, Butler, Mitchell, Pottawattamie, Clayton, Fremont, Boone, and many others.
That geographic spread is important.
An Iowa landowner may hear that a farm sold for $20,000 or $25,000 per acre and assume their farm should bring a similar amount. But the better question is:
What are comparable farms selling for in my specific area?
A strong comparable sale should consider more than the sale price. We also look at acreage, CSR2, percentage tillable, location, land use, improvements, drainage, access, and when the sale occurred.
Not Every Farm Sold
Another important part of the September data is that not every property resulted in a completed sale.
The report includes several properties identified as No Sale, along with others where the sale price was Undisclosed or Undetermined.
No-sale properties appeared in multiple counties and across several types of land.
This is useful information for sellers because successful farmland marketing is not simply about putting a farm on the market. The sale method, pricing expectations, marketing exposure, buyer competition, timing, and terms can all influence the outcome.
What Does the September 2026 Data Mean for Iowa Landowners?
The September sales suggest that buyers are still willing to compete for Iowa farmland, particularly when a property fits what buyers in that local market are looking for.
At the same time, the wide range of prices and the presence of no-sale properties show that the market remains selective.
For sellers, that makes understanding the local market especially important.
A farm with strong soils may attract one group of buyers, while a recreational farm, development property, or farm with CRP income may appeal to an entirely different buyer pool.
The best marketing strategy should be built around the specific property rather than applying the same approach to every farm.
How Do I Know What My Iowa Farm Is Worth?
The best place to start is with recent comparable land sales in your area.
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we evaluate recent sales along with the characteristics of the individual property to help landowners understand where their farm may fit in the current market.
We consider factors such as:
- Recent nearby farmland sales
- CSR2 and soil productivity
- Tillable acres
- Drainage and improvements
- Farm location
- Access and field configuration
- Current leases and possession
- CRP or other income
- Recreational potential
- Development potential
- Local buyer demand
A statewide average can provide useful context, but it cannot replace a property-specific analysis.
Is Now a Good Time to Sell Farmland in Iowa?
That depends on the farm and the landowner’s goals.
September 2026 produced several strong sales, including multiple transactions above $15,000 per acre and several above $20,000 per acre. At the same time, other farms sold at substantially lower prices or did not sell.
If you are considering selling farmland, the important question is not simply whether the Iowa land market is “up” or “down.”
The better question is:
What is happening with farms like mine, in my area, right now?
That is where recent comparable sales become especially valuable.
Thinking About Selling Iowa Farmland?
If you own farmland in Iowa and are considering an auction, sealed bid sale, private listing, or another sales method, Whitaker Marketing Group can help you evaluate the property and determine a strategy based on your goals.
Our team specializes in farmland and land sales throughout Iowa and the Midwest. We use recent land sales, local market knowledge, targeted marketing, and competitive sales strategies to help landowners make informed decisions.
Want to know what your Iowa farmland could be worth in today’s market? Contact Whitaker Marketing Group for a confidential conversation about your property.
