Farmland Fact: Midwest Farmers Can Plant Hundreds of Acres Per Day (Week 13)

Modern tractor planting crops with large planter covering 300 to 500 acres per day in Midwest farmland

Modern agriculture has changed the speed and efficiency of farming in ways many people don’t fully realize. Today’s equipment allows farmers to cover significant acreage in a short amount of time, especially during critical planting windows. Farmland Fact Video If you prefer to watch instead of read, you can view the short video below. Prefer […]

Farmland Fact: Nearly $1 Billion in Farmland Sells at Auction Each Year (Week 12)

Farmland auction with bidders raising paddles in a cornfield, highlighting over $1 billion in land sold annually through auctions

Farmland auctions are often misunderstood. Many people assume auctions are only used for distressed situations, but that’s not the full picture. In reality, auctions are a major method for selling high-quality farmland and attracting competitive buyers in today’s market. Farmland Fact Video If you prefer to watch instead of read, you can view the short […]

Farmland Fact: U.S. Cattle Produce Trillions of Pounds of Manure Each Year (Week 10)

Cattle feeding in a pasture with cropland in the background representing manure nutrients used on farmland

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)

Snow-covered Midwest farm field with corn stubble showing winter conditions that affect soil frost and spring erosion

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)

Aerial view of an Iowa farmstead with a farmhouse and barn surrounded by corn and soybean fields

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)

John Deere equipment on display at a farm machinery show conference

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)

Midwest farmland showing productive agricultural land supporting long-term returns

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 […]