Illinois Farmland Prices & Sales Trends – Q1 2026 Market Report
Welcome to Our Quarterly Illinois Farmland Value Report
In this quarterly report, Rachel Tiffany, Land Broker and Auctioneer dives into Illinois farmland values, helping you understand the factors that determine what your farm is potentially worth. Our goal as auctioneers and farmland real estate agents is to provide you with up-to-date information, recent sales data, expert insights, and tips for maximizing the potential value of your farmland sale. Let us answer the questions you have about selling farmland in Illinois. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Illinois Farmland Auction Results – March 2026 Market Update
Tracking Prices, Trends & Market Shifts Across Illinois Farmland Sales
The Illinois farmland market remained remarkably resilient during the first quarter of 2026, continuing a trend of stability despite softer grain prices, elevated interest rates, and tighter farm margins. While the rapid appreciation seen during the peak years of 2021 through 2023 has slowed, high-quality Illinois farmland continues attracting strong demand from both local operators and investors.
DreamDirt tracked 39 verified Illinois farmland sales (80% or more tillable farms) during Q1 2026 totaling 3,019.761 acres sold statewide. Based on these transactions, the average sale price reached approximately $12,134 per acre, while the median sale price was approximately $12,500 per acre. These figures suggest Illinois farmland values remain historically strong heading into the 2026 growing season.
Premium Illinois Farmland Continues Leading the Market
The strongest farmland sales during the first quarter continued occurring on highly productive Class A tillable farms with strong soil ratings, efficient field layouts, and high percentages of tillable acres.
Several regions across Illinois stood out during Q1, including Greene County, Pike County, McLean County, LaSalle County, and Peoria County, where competitive bidding remained common on premium farms.
Notable sales during Q1 included:
- 68.77 acres in Greene County selling for approximately $19,500 per acre with a 136.3 PI soil score
- Multiple Pike County farms selling near $18,200 per acre
- McLean County farmland reaching approximately $16,000 per acre
- LaSalle County farms surpassing $15,000 per acre on highly productive soils
- Peoria County tillable farmland selling near $17,000 per acre
These transactions demonstrate buyers remain willing to pay premium prices for top-tier farmland with long-term productivity and income potential.
Illinois Farmland Market Trends
DreamDirt’s rolling 12-month auction data continues showing overall farmland values remaining relatively stable despite market volatility in other sectors of agriculture.
Average price per acre trends have remained historically strong over the past year, while price per productivity index (PI) point has softened slightly as buyers become more selective. This shift suggests buyers are paying closer attention to long-term farm profitability, financing costs, and return potential rather than simply bidding aggressively on every available farm.
Farmland sales volume also followed a seasonal pattern throughout the past year, with auction activity increasing significantly during the fall months when more inventory traditionally enters the market.
Although the market has become more balanced compared to recent years, high-quality farms continue outperforming lower productivity tracts in many areas across Illinois.
See the full results of all farmland sold by auction this quarter at the end of the blog, along with graphs showing 12 months of data on price per acre, total acres sold, and average dollars per PI each month.
2026 ISPFMRA Land Values Report Shows Illinois Farmland Market Stabilizing
Additional insight into the Illinois farmland market came from the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers 2026 Land Values and Lease Trends Report, which highlighted a shift toward a more balanced and stable land market statewide.
According to the report, excellent quality Illinois farmland averaged approximately $15,846 per acre in 2025, representing a modest decline of roughly 3% from the previous year. Good quality farmland remained relatively steady near $12,500 per acre statewide, while average quality farmland averaged approximately $9,933 per acre.
The report noted that although farmland values have softened slightly from the record highs reached during 2021 through 2023, overall land prices remain historically strong. Many farmland professionals surveyed by ISPFMRA described the current market as “plateauing” rather than experiencing a significant correction.
Cash rents across Illinois also remained relatively firm entering 2026. In many central Illinois regions, middle-third cash rents for excellent quality farmland ranged from approximately $375 to over $400 per acre depending on location and productivity.
The ISPFMRA report further supports what many Q1 2026 sales already demonstrated — high-quality farms with strong productivity indexes, efficient layouts, and high tillable percentages continue attracting strong demand despite elevated interest rates and softer grain markets.
What Is Driving the Illinois Farmland Market in 2026?
Several major factors continue influencing farmland prices across Illinois in 2026:
- Elevated interest rates increasing borrowing costs
- Softer commodity prices compared to recent highs
- Strong investor demand for stable assets
- Limited supply of premium farms available publicly
- Relatively stable cash rents across much of the state
- Continued demand from local operators looking to expand
While today’s buyers are more selective than they were several years ago, competition remains strong for quality farms with desirable soil productivity and strong income potential.
Thinking About Selling Farmland? Timing the Market Isn’t Always Necessary
One of the biggest misconceptions among farmland owners is believing they must wait until after harvest or until fall to sell their farm. While fall is traditionally one of the busiest seasons for farmland auctions, that does not necessarily mean it is the best time for every seller.
In fact, selling farmland during the spring or summer months can often position sellers very well because there may be fewer competing farms available on the market. When more acres hit the market during the fall auction season, buyers naturally have more options, which can dilute competition and reduce urgency on individual farms.
Many buyers are fully comfortable purchasing farmland with a crop already in the ground. Existing crop leases, tenant arrangements, and possession timelines can all be structured appropriately depending on the situation and seller goals.
The reality is that the “right” time to sell farmland is when you are personally ready to sell — not necessarily when the calendar or google says you should.
Additionally, we know what the farmland market looks like today. We know buyer demand remains active, quality farms are still bringing strong values, and inventory remains relatively limited in many areas. What the market will look like six months from now is impossible to predict with certainty. Interest rates, grain markets, investor confidence, politics, and broader economic conditions can all shift over time.
For many landowners, today’s market still presents an excellent opportunity to capitalize on historically strong farmland values while buyer demand remains healthy.
Outlook for the Rest of 2026
Looking ahead, most indicators suggest Illinois farmland values will likely remain steady to slightly softer throughout the remainder of 2026. While dramatic price increases appear unlikely in the current economic environment, there continues to be strong underlying demand for quality farmland throughout the state.
Premium tillable farms with strong soils and efficient layouts are expected to remain highly competitive, especially in core agricultural regions. Lower-quality tracts and recreational farms may experience greater variability depending on local demand and income potential.
As always, individual farm characteristics continue playing a major role in determining value, and localized market knowledge remains critical when evaluating Illinois farmland prices and trends.
For landowners considering a sale, today’s market continues presenting strong opportunities — particularly for well-positioned farms marketed through competitive auction platforms with broad buyer exposure.
Curious What Your Illinois Farm May Be Worth?
Whether you are considering selling this year, planning ahead for the future, settling an estate, or simply wanting to understand today’s farmland market, having accurate and current market information is critical.
DreamDirt specializes in Illinois farmland auctions, land brokerage, and farmland market analysis across the Midwest. Our team closely tracks local land values, buyer demand, auction activity, and regional sales trends to help landowners make informed decisions about their property.
If you have questions about today’s market or would like a confidential discussion about your farm’s value and selling options, we would be happy to help.
The best time to start the conversation is before you feel pressured to make a decision.
Contact Rachel 515-954-8063 or email [email protected] today to discuss your Illinois farmland and current market opportunities.
Final Thoughts
What This Means for Landowners Considering Selling
Market Signals Heading Into 2026
December’s data reinforces a few important trends:
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High-quality farmland continues to outperform.
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Buyers remain active, but are more selective and value-driven.
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Pricing is holding up better than volume, indicating underlying market stability.
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Sellers with strong soil, high tillable percentages, and good locations are still seeing solid results.
Bottom line: While fewer farms changed hands to close out the year, the strength in pricing suggests the Illinois farmland market remains healthy as we head into 2026.
If you’re considering selling farmland in 2026:
Timing matters. Buyer demand remains strong for quality land.
Marketing and positioning are critical to maximize competitive bidding.
Understanding your farm’s PI, tillable ratio, and county trends can make a meaningful difference in final sale price.
Every farm is unique, and local market dynamics can vary widely by county. If you’d like a custom valuation or want to explore whether an auction or listing strategy makes the most sense for your property, I’m happy to help.
Rachel Tiffany
Auctioneer & Land Broker
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 515-954-8063
Assessing Your Farm’s Worth:
Illinois Land Market Analysis Appraisal Technique
Curious what your farm could sell for? We prepare market analysis for each of our farmland sellers to help you discover and learn what your farm is worth from our market based research and expertise. Fill out our form here to request a market analysis of your Illinois farmland or call us at 402-739-8696
RECENT FARMLAND SALES IN ILLINOIS Jan - Mar 2026
| County | Date Sold | Total Acres | Total Price | $/Acre | Tillable Acres | $/Tillable Acre | % Tillable | Soil Score | $/PI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 01/05/2026 | 40.61 | $308,000.00 | $7,584.00 | 40.61 | $7,584.34 | 100.00 | 125.89 | $60.00 |
| Adams | 01/06/2026 | 28.03 | $256,475.00 | $9,150.00 | 27.31 | $9,391.23 | 97.43 | 124.92 | $73.00 |
| Adams | 01/06/2026 | 106.65 | $1,333,125.00 | $12,500.00 | 106.65 | $12,500.00 | 100.00 | 122.35 | $102.00 |
| LaSalle | 01/12/2026 | 78.0 | $1,177,800.00 | $15,100.00 | 78.0 | $15,100.00 | 100.00 | 142.47 | $106.00 |
| Pike | 01/15/2026 | 233.6 | $1,740,320.00 | $7,450.00 | 215.3 | $8,083.23 | 92.17 | 127.76 | $58.00 |
| Pike | 01/15/2026 | 37.11 | $493,563.00 | $13,300.00 | 34.56 | $14,281.34 | 93.13 | 130.43 | $102.00 |
| Pike | 01/15/2026 | 74.96 | $1,364,272.00 | $18,200.00 | 73 | $18,688.66 | 97.39 | 130.79 | $139.00 |
| Pike | 01/15/2026 | 75.82 | $1,385,202.00 | $18,200.00 | 75 | $18,469.36 | 98.92 | 125.32 | $145.00 |
| Menard | 01/19/2026 | 31.61 | $410,930.00 | $13,000.00 | 30.53 | $13,459.88 | 96.58 | 130.20 | $100.00 |
| Monroe | 01/20/2026 | 59.67 | $385,000.00 | $6,452.00 | 59.67 | $6,452.15 | 100.00 | 104.99 | $61.00 |
| Iroquois | 01/22/2026 | 157.79 | $1,459,558.00 | $9,250.00 | 152.8 | $9,552.08 | 96.84 | 100.09 | $92.00 |
| Effingham | 01/27/2026 | 20.0 | $251,500.00 | $12,575.00 | 17.15 | $14,664.72 | 85.75 | 100 | $126.00 |
| Marshall | 01/28/2026 | 128.2 | $1,551,220.00 | $12,100.00 | 127.25 | $12,190.33 | 99.26 | 129.06 | $94.00 |
| Cumberland | 01/29/2026 | 60.0 | $577,500.00 | $9,625.00 | 57.96 | $9,963.77 | 96.60 | 105.86 | $91.00 |
| Clark | 01/29/2026 | 40.0 | $460,000.00 | $11,500.00 | 38.77 | $11,864.84 | 96.93 | 113.90 | $101.00 |
| Cumberland | 01/29/2026 | 40.0 | $481,000.00 | $12,025.00 | 40.0 | $12,025.00 | 100.00 | 107.42 | $112.00 |
| Bureau | 02/04/2026 | 120.0 | $1,128,000.00 | $9,400.00 | 104.15 | $10,830.53 | 86.79 | 125.52 | $75.00 |
| Marshall | 02/05/2026 | 39.52 | $541,424.00 | $13,700.00 | 39.52 | $13,700.00 | 100.00 | 131.6 | $104.00 |
| McLean | 02/05/2026 | 118.85 | $1,901,600.00 | $16,000.00 | 118.5 | $16,047.26 | 99.71 | 137.07 | $117.00 |
| Greene | 02/08/2026 | 40.0 | $740,000.00 | $18,500.00 | 40 | $18,500.00 | 100.00 | 136.45 | $136.00 |
| Greene | 02/09/2026 | 68.77 | $1,341,015.00 | $19,500.00 | 68.77 | $19,500.00 | 100.00 | 136.30 | $143.00 |
| Ogle | 02/10/2026 | 68.807 | $674,338.00 | $9,800.00 | 67.86 | $9,937.19 | 98.62 | 116.65 | $84.00 |
| Ogle | 02/10/2026 | 40.283 | $507,528.00 | $12,600.00 | 38.02 | $13,348.97 | 94.38 | 127.1 | $99.00 |
| Ogle | 02/10/2026 | 78.611 | $990,498.00 | $12,600.00 | 76.12 | $13,012.32 | 96.83 | 125.45 | $100.00 |
| Whiteside | 02/17/2026 | 159.0 | $1,462,800.00 | $9,200.00 | 143.53 | $10,191.60 | 90.27 | 105.03 | $88.00 |
| Henry | 02/18/2026 | 79.06 | $988,250.00 | $12,500.00 | 78.0 | $12,669.87 | 98.66 | 116.82 | $107.00 |
| Henry | 02/18/2026 | 79.06 | $1,027,780.00 | $13,000.00 | 78.0 | $13,176.67 | 98.66 | 117.1 | $111.00 |
| Henry | 02/18/2026 | 82.68 | $1,149,252.00 | $13,900.00 | 76.0 | $15,121.74 | 91.92 | 118.99 | $117.00 |
| LaSalle | 02/19/2026 | 67.85 | $949,844.00 | $14,000.00 | 67.0 | $14,176.78 | 98.75 | 143.43 | $98.00 |
| LaSalle | 02/20/2026 | 153.95 | $2,432,410.00 | $15,800.00 | 153.64 | $15,831.88 | 99.80 | 142.73 | $111.00 |
| Fulton | 02/23/2026 | 91.19 | $1,003,090.00 | $11,000.00 | 84.31 | $11,897.64 | 92.46 | 135.89 | $81.00 |
| Peoria | 02/23/2026 | 79.99 | $1,359,830.00 | $17,000.00 | 77.07 | $17,644.09 | 96.35 | 141.40 | $120.00 |
| Saline | 02/25/2026 | 36.0 | $220,500.00 | $6,125.00 | 31.0 | $7,112.90 | 86.11 | 100.68 | $61.00 |
| Saline | 02/25/2026 | 73.9 | $452,638.00 | $6,125.00 | 67.14 | $6,741.70 | 90.85 | 97.33 | $63.00 |
| Saline | 02/25/2026 | 23.0 | $141,450.00 | $6,150.00 | 23.0 | $6,150.00 | 100.00 | 98.81 | $62.00 |
| Bureau | 03/03/2026 | 140.0 | $1,120,000.00 | $8,000.00 | 126.41 | $8,860.06 | 90.29 | 125.27 | $64.00 |
| Macon | 03/18/2026 | 115.0 | $1,550,000.00 | $13,478.00 | 105.78 | $14,653.05 | 91.98 | 140.53 | $96.00 |
| McLean | 03/20/2026 | 72.55 | $1,131,780.00 | $15,600.00 | 71.17 | $15,902.49 | 98.10 | 138.54 | $113.00 |
| Jasper | 03/30/2026 | 20.25 | $225,281.00 | $11,125.00 | 19.9 | $11,320.67 | 98.27 | 135.9 | $82.00 |
| Totals/Averages | 3,019.761 | $36,366,772.00 | $12,251.00 | 2,888.84 | $12,579.44 | 96.15 | 123.49 | $97.00 |
Navigating the Selling Process:
Tips for Selling Your Farm in Illinois
Explore a set of practical tips for successfully selling your farmland by downloading our free eBooks here. Schedule a non obligatory consultation with us today and we will cover everything from when is the best time to sell, a customized marketing plan, sales methods, how we can help you find the right buyer, and answer your questions.
Farm Real Estate Experts in Illinois
Meet our team of Illinois farm real estate and auction experts who can provide you with valuable guidance and personalized assistance throughout the selling process. If you’re looking to uncover the true value of your Illinois farm or are considering selling, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced team. We’re here to provide you with a customized plan to meet your goals. Contact us today to get started.