Thinking about selling land in Iowa in 2026? February’s land auction results delivered a clear signal: buyer demand remains strong for productive farmland, but pricing continues to vary widely depending on soil quality, tract size, location, and land mix.
This recap summarizes February 2026 reported land sales activity across Iowa counties, offering insights specifically for landowners and sellers who want to understand how the market is performing.
February 2026 Land Auction Prices Iowa Market Snapshot
Based on the February report:
~70 total recorded sale entries
8,275 total acres reported sold
7,504 acres classified as tillable
Average price per acre (disclosed sales): ~ $11,900
Median price per acre (estimated): ~ $10,750
Range of disclosed sales:
$4,700 to $25,600 per acre
“No Sale” outcomes:
4 reported entries
Undisclosed results:
Several additional transactions
Seller takeaway:
The market remains active and competitive, especially for productive farms. However, price results continue to separate quickly depending on CSR2 quality, farmability, and buyer demand in the region.
Why Tillable Acres Continue to Lead the Market
Like most recent months, the majority of reported transactions involved highly tillable farmland.
Across February’s sales:
• Roughly 90% of acres sold were primarily tillable
• Many farms carried CSR2 ratings between the mid-70s and low-90s
• Buyers clearly favored clean, highly farmable tracts
Examples from the report include:
• Floyd County — $17,400/acre (CSR2 89.9)
• Sioux County — $22,500/acre (CSR2 93.4)
• Greene County — $12,750/acre (CSR2 88.1)
• Story County — $17,500/acre (CSR2 82.9)
These results reinforce a trend we continue to see across Iowa: good dirt still commands strong buyer interest.
Top-End Land Auction Prices Sellers Should Notice
The highest reported price per acre in February reached:
$25,600 per acre in Lyon County for an 80-acre tillable farm.
Other strong results included:
• Sioux County: $22,500/acre
• Clay County: $22,100/acre (tillable with wind turbines)
• Cherokee County: $19,300/acre
• Polk County development ground: $19,100/acre
Seller takeaway:
When farmland checks the key boxes—location, strong CSR2, and clean tract layout—premium prices are still achievable in today’s market.
County Activity: Where Sales Showed Up in February
February activity spanned dozens of counties across Iowa, with multiple sales occurring in several regions.
Counties with multiple reported transactions included:
• Greene County
• Mahaska County
• Sioux County
• Cherokee County
• Des Moines County
• Floyd County
• Jasper County
• Cerro Gordo County
• Lyon County
This widespread activity suggests continued statewide buyer participation, rather than demand being isolated to just a few regions.
Tract Size Insight: Smaller Farms Still Compete Hard
One pattern that appeared again in February results:
Smaller tracts often brought higher prices per acre.
Examples include:
• 42 acres in Sioux County — $20,300/acre
• 38 acres in Carroll County — $13,000/acre
• 31 acres in Monona County — $12,700/acre
Smaller farms frequently attract:
• Local operators
• Neighboring farmers
• Investors seeking manageable tracts
Seller takeaway:
If your farm can be strategically divided, the tract layout can significantly influence final pricing.
What “No Sale” Results Mean for Sellers
February included four reported “No Sale” outcomes, including farms in Kossuth, Johnson, and Tama counties.
In most cases, a “No Sale” result does not mean buyers were absent—it simply means the market and seller expectations did not meet.
Common reasons include:
• Reserve price set above buyer expectations
• Limited marketing reach
• Uncertainty about lease terms or farm data
• Complex land mixes (CRP, timber, recreation)
Seller takeaway:
Preparation, pricing strategy, and marketing reach matter as much as the auction itself.
Seller Action Plan Based on February Land Auction Prices
If you are considering selling farmland in Iowa, February’s results highlight several important steps:
1. Start with the right pricing strategy
Use recent comparable sales based on CSR2, tillable acres, and farmability.
2. Make the data easy for buyers
Provide clear information including:
• Tillable acres
• CSR2 ratings
• Lease terms
• Soil maps
• Access and drainage
3. Choose the right sales method
Different farms benefit from different strategies:
• Live auctions
• Online auctions
• Sealed bid sales
• Hybrid formats
4. Prepare early
Serious farmland buyers often plan months ahead, especially for high-quality farms.
If you’re thinking about selling farmland in Iowa—or anywhere across the Midwest—we can help you evaluate your farm’s position in the market and design a strategy that attracts the right buyers and maximizes your results.
