Weekly Iowa Farmland Auction Results Show Strong Demand for Quality Ground
The Iowa land market continues to show strength heading into spring, with multiple auctions across the state confirming that quality farmland remains in high demand. From March 28 through April 3, 2026, we saw a wide range of sales across tillable, CRP, and recreational properties, with pricing largely driven by productivity, location, and farmability.
Across this stretch of auctions, tillable farmland continued to lead the market, with strong competition for high CSR2 farms and well-located tracts. While some variability remains depending on property type, the data shows a consistent trend—buyers are still active and willing to pay for quality.
For a look at last week’s results, click here: Iowa Land Auction Prices: March 21-27, 2026 Results
Iowa Farmland Prices Breakdown by County and Quality
This week’s results included sales across Plymouth, Jefferson, Louisa, Clay, Mahaska, Fremont, Lyon, Floyd, Howard, Dickinson, Story, Cerro Gordo, and Sac Counties.
Top Performing Sales
- Louisa County (79 acres) – $21,050/acre with 88.4 CSR2
- Lyon County (40 acres) – $19,700/acre with 89.2 CSR2
- Story County (93 acres) – $18,000/acre with 88 CSR2
- Plymouth County (58.14 acres) – $17,800/acre with 90.8 CSR2
These sales reinforce a key trend:
High CSR2 farmland continues to command premium prices, especially when paired with strong farmability and location.
Mid-Range Farmland Sales Show Market Stability
A large portion of this week’s auctions fell into the $10,000–$14,000 per acre range, showing a stable and active middle market.
Notable sales include:
- Clay County (156 acres) – $14,300/acre
- Clay County (78.7 acres) – $14,900/acre
- Floyd County (116.93 acres) – $11,629/acre
- Cerro Gordo County (120 acres) – $10,350/acre
- Fremont County (197.1 acres) – $10,000/acre
These farms generally featured solid CSR2 ratings in the 70–85 range, proving that even average-to-good ground is still drawing consistent interest.
Lower CSR2 and Transitional Farms Still Moving
Even farms with lower CSR2 ratings or mixed-use characteristics saw solid activity:
- Jefferson County (61.6 CSR2) – $8,800/acre
- Mahaska County (70.1 CSR2) – $9,600/acre
- Dickinson County (82 CSR2) – $9,300/acre
Additionally, a Howard County tract with expired CRP sold for $10,650/acre, showing continued buyer interest in transitional ground with upside potential.
The takeaway:
Buyers are still actively pursuing value-add opportunities, especially when there is income potential or improvement upside.
Recreational and CRP Land Remains Variable
Recreational land and CRP tracts showed more variability in pricing:
- Louisa County recreational tracts ranged from $1,900 to $8,200 per acre
- Fayette County (200 acres Recreation-CRP) – price undisclosed
- Clay County CRP (75.11 acres) – $11,100/acre
This segment continues to be highly dependent on location, access, and recreational features such as timber, water, and hunting potential.
Key Market Insights from This Week’s Iowa Land Sales
1. Quality Still Wins
High CSR2 farms (85+) consistently brought $15,000–$21,000+ per acre, confirming strong buyer confidence in productive land.
2. Stable Middle Market
The bulk of sales in the $10K–$14K range shows a healthy, active buyer pool for average-to-good farmland.
3. Recreation = Wide Range
Recreational land values continue to vary significantly based on features and location, not just acreage.
4. Buyers Are Still Active
Despite interest rate pressure and commodity fluctuations, demand remains steady, especially for well-positioned farms.
What This Means for Iowa Landowners
If you are considering selling farmland in Iowa, this market is still working in your favor—especially if your property offers:
- Strong CSR2 ratings
- Good access and location
- Income potential (cash rent, CRP, or improvements)
- Clean, well-maintained tracts
Well-marketed properties continue to attract competitive bidding, particularly in auction settings where buyer demand is concentrated.
Thinking About Selling or Buying Iowa Farmland?
Whitaker Marketing Group continues to track real-time land data across Iowa and the Midwest to help buyers and sellers make informed decisions.
If you are considering selling, buying, or just want to understand what your farm is worth in today’s market, reach out anytime.
