Thinking about selling land in Iowa in 2026? January’s results gave sellers a clear message: well-marketed farms—especially tillable acres—are still drawing serious competition, and pricing is continuing to separate by soil quality, location, tract size, and land mix.
This recap summarizes January 2026 reported land sales activity across Iowa counties, with takeaways designed specifically for landowners and sellers who want to understand what the market is paying.
January 2026 Land Auction Prices Iowa Market Snapshot
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58 total recorded sale entries
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45 sales reported with a disclosed price per acre (about 4,900.52 total acres)
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Average price per acre (disclosed sales): $12,276
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Median price per acre (disclosed sales): $12,050
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Range (disclosed sales): $4,575 to $26,250 per acre
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“No Sale” outcomes: 5 entries (about 8.6% of total entries)
Seller takeaway: The market is still paying—especially for strong tillable farms—but the right strategy matters more than ever. Farms that miss on price expectations, presentation, or timing are more likely to stall.
Why Tillable Acres Dominated January (And Why That Helps Sellers)
In January, land types containing tillable acres accounted for roughly 91% of all disclosed acres sold. That matters if you’re a seller because buyers keep prioritizing:
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Farmability and income potential
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Soil quality (CSR2)
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Clean, straightforward tracts that pencil out quickly
Across January’s reported tillable-related sales, the typical CSR2 was strong (median about 79.4), reinforcing what we see every week: good dirt still commands attention.
Top-End Land Auction Prices Iowa Sellers Should Note
The strongest reported price per acre in January reached $26,250/acre for a tillable sale in Sioux County. Several additional top-end sales were also concentrated in high-demand areas, including multiple strong results in Lyon County.
Seller takeaway: When your farm checks the boxes buyers want (location + productivity + clean presentation), the ceiling is still very real.
County Momentum: Where Volume Showed Up
Below are counties with notable tillable-related acreage volume in January’s reported results, along with an approximate weighted price per acre for those sales.
Counties with notable tillable-related volume (January reported results):
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Pottawattamie County: 6 sales | 838.52 acres | ~$9,266/acre | Avg. CSR2: 57.1
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Monona County: 4 sales | 621.40 acres | ~$8,090/acre | Avg. CSR2: 58.7
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Keokuk County: 4 sales | 443.43 acres | ~$9,839/acre | Avg. CSR2: 72.9
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Lyon County: 4 sales | 382.96 acres | ~$21,367/acre | Avg. CSR2: 88.3
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Buena Vista County: 2 sales | 264.18 acres | ~$10,991/acre | Avg. CSR2: 83.7
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Sac County: 4 sales | 242.46 acres | ~$13,438/acre | Avg. CSR2: 83.3
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Adams County: 1 sale | 196.00 acres | ~$7,950/acre | Avg. CSR2: 91.0
Note: These are summaries of the reported entries and are not a full representation of all private transactions statewide.
Tract Size Insight: Smaller Farms Often Won the $/Acre Battle
In January’s disclosed results, smaller tracts (especially under 80 acres) tended to bring stronger per-acre pricing than larger tracts. That’s not because big farms are bad—it’s usually because smaller, high-quality pieces attract a wider buyer pool (operators, neighbors, and investors), which can increase competition.
Seller takeaway: If your farm is divisible, the right tract strategy can matter just as much as the auction strategy.
What “No Sale” Really Means for Sellers
January included multiple entries listed as No Sale. In most cases, “no sale” doesn’t mean there were no buyers—it means the market and seller expectations didn’t meet.
When we see a no-sale outcome, it often traces back to one of these:
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Reserve or expectation above market
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Marketing reach wasn’t wide enough for the type of farm
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Uncertainty in the information package (CSR2, tillable, lease terms, access, etc.)
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Land mix complexity (CRP/pasture/timber blend) without clear positioning
Seller takeaway: If you want a clean sale, your preparation and positioning matter as much as the day-of bidding.
Seller Action Plan Based on Land Auction Prices Iowa
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Start with a pricing strategy based on comparable sales and your farm’s income profile
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Make the data easy for buyers: acres, CSR2, tillable breakdown, lease terms, access, and maps
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Pick the right sale method (live, online, sealed bid, or hybrid) for your buyer pool
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Time it with purpose: serious buyers plan months ahead, especially for high-quality farms
If you’re considering selling farmland in Iowa (or the Midwest) in 2026, we can walk through your farm’s position in the market and build a plan that gives buyers confidence and gives you leverage.
Ready to discuss your options? CLICK HERE to fill out our online form.
