Farmland Fact: U.S. Cattle Produce Trillions of Pounds of Manure Each Year (Week 10)
A lot of farmland that sells today comes from inherited property. In many cases, siblings inherit a farm and decide they would rather sell it than manage the responsibility of operating or overseeing farmland. Understanding how farmland actually functions helps explain why these properties remain so valuable. One surprising example is the scale of nutrients […]
Farmland Fact: Snow Cover Reduces Frost Depth and Impacts Spring Erosion (Week 9)
Winter weather plays a bigger role in farmland performance than many people realize. In the Midwest, a one-foot blanket of snow can insulate the soil and reduce how deeply frost penetrates into the ground. When that snow melts in the spring, the speed of the melt can influence runoff and erosion across farm fields. Farmland […]
Farmland Fact: Iowa Farmland Rarely Hits the Public Market (Week 8)
When investors and high-net-worth buyers pursue farmland, it highlights how valuable land ownership truly is. In Iowa, families own most farmland for the long term. Many have held the same acres for 50 years or more. A large portion of landowners carry no debt on their farms. Many owners are age 65 or older. When […]
Farmland Fact: Farmers Attend Conferences to Adapt as Margins Tighten (Week 7)
Across the agricultural world, farmers regularly gather at major conferences and equipment shows to stay current with what’s changing in the industry. As production margins tighten, operators look for new information, updated practices, equipment advancements, and financial strategies that can help improve efficiency and strengthen their balance sheets. Farmland Fact Video If you prefer to […]
Farmland Fact: Midwest Farmland Has Averaged 10–12% Returns Over 30 Years (Week 6)
Land ownership is often compared to planting a tree—the best time to start was years ago. Over the last 30 years, Midwest farmland has averaged an annual rate of return between 10 and 12 percent. That performance reflects a combination of long-term land appreciation and steady cash rent income, working together over time. Farmland Fact […]
Farmland Fact: Midwest Soils Are Significantly Deeper Than Much of the World (Week 5)
Did you know one of the Midwest’s biggest farming advantages starts below the surface? Much of the Midwest is built on soils that measure three to six feet deep. By comparison, many agricultural regions around the world farm with roughly 12 inches of usable topsoil. That difference in soil depth plays a major role in […]
Farmland Fact: Tile Drainage in the U.S. Equals Enough Pipe to Circle the Earth 120 Times (Week 4)
Did you know the hidden infrastructure beneath America’s farmland is massive—on a global scale? According to the USDA, roughly 50 million acres of farmland across the United States have subsurface tile drainage installed. When combined, that tile network stretches an estimated three to four million miles—enough pipe to wrap around the Earth nearly 120 times. […]
Farmland Fact: Iowa Farmland Generates Billions in Annual Rental Income (Week 3)
Is farmland really a “non-performing” asset? The numbers say otherwise. A common misconception is that land loses value or fails to generate meaningful income. In reality, farmland—especially in Iowa—produces substantial annual revenue through rental income. According to industry data, approximately 60% of Iowa farmland is leased to tenant operators. With an estimated 30 million acres […]
Farmland Fact: Condemnation Easements Can Be Used for Access (Week 2)
Did you know condemnation easements are not limited to highways and public roads? In certain situations, landowners can use a condemnation easement to gain access across another property when no reasonable access exists. Although many people misunderstand this legal tool, it plays an important role in land access, ownership rights, and property value. Farmland Fact […]
Farmland Facts
Farmland plays a critical role in food production and rural economies. It also influences long-term land ownership decisions. The Farmland Facts series shares short, data-driven insights. As a result, landowners, buyers, and investors can make smarter decisions with greater confidence. Latest Farmland Facts Each post focuses on one clear takeaway about farmland, tillable acres, ownership, […]
