Midwest Farmland Prices – August 2025 Update
Welcome to Our Monthly Midwest Farmland Value Report
In this monthly report, Jason Smith, Land Broker and Auctioneer dives into Midwest 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 Minnesota. Contact us today for a free consultation.
National and Regional Farmland Market Overview – August 2025
U.S. farmland values have once again set a new record in 2025. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s August Market Intel report, the average U.S. farm real estate value climbed to $4,350 per acre, a 4.3% increase from 2024 and the fifth consecutive annual rise. Cropland values averaged $5,400 per acre, up nearly 4% year over year, reflecting the continued strength of agricultural real estate despite tighter farm margins.
The Corn Belt region — which includes Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana — remains the most valuable farmland market in the nation, supported by limited supply, generational turnover, and strong demand from both farmers and outside investors. Many buyers continue to view farmland as a stable, inflation-resistant asset, particularly as alternative investments show more volatility.
Regionally, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s August 2025 AgLetter reported a 3% year-over-year increase in farmland values across the Seventh Federal Reserve District, which covers much of the Midwest. From the first to the second quarter of 2025, values rose another 1%, showing resilience even as commodity prices softened.
The Chicago Fed noted that renewable energy projects and development pressures are supporting land values in some areas, while high-quality soils and productive acres continue to bring premium prices at auction. Credit conditions remain largely stable: only 2.9% of farm loans were reported with major or severe repayment issues — the highest since 2020, but still a relatively low level overall. Encouragingly, over 90% of agricultural loans showed no repayment problems.
Slightly lower interest rates on farm operating and real estate loans in the second quarter provided modest relief to borrowers after several years of higher lending costs. Together, these factors point to a steady, balanced land market heading into harvest season — with fewer dramatic swings, but strong underlying fundamentals for sellers of quality farmland.
Jason Smith, Broker | Auctioneer
Founder, Farmland Auctioneer & Land Broker
Jason is a veteran farm real estate auctioneer with many awards and accolades. He is among the top Farmland Auctioneers in the Midwest. Licensed in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 515-537-6633
August 2025 Farmland Sales & Prices Across the Midwest
If you’re thinking about selling farmland in the Midwest, staying on top of current land prices is essential. Understanding how much land is selling for, what buyers are paying per acre, and how soil productivity impacts values can help you set realistic expectations and time your sale for the best return. Below, we break down July 2025 farmland sales data from Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Missouri.
Minnesota Farmland Sales – August 2025
Minnesota saw steady farmland activity in August 2025, with 17 recorded sales across the state averaging $9,070 per acre. When adjusted for tillable land, farms averaged $9,617 per tillable acre, reflecting continued buyer confidence in productive cropland. The average Soil Productivity Index (CPI) was 87.5, with an average price per CPI point of $102, showing that buyers continue to pay premiums for high-quality soils. The highest sale of the month occurred in Renville County, where 39.7 acres sold for $13,000 per acre with a 96.1 CPI, demonstrating strong competition for top-tier farmland. Overall, Minnesota’s late-summer land market remained resilient, supported by solid demand for high-quality acres even as interest rates and input costs influence values statewide.
South Dakota Farmland Sales – August 2025
South Dakota recorded three farmland sales in August 2025, totaling 475.67 acres with an average price of $8,500 per acre. On a tillable basis, sales averaged $8,694 per tillable acre, reflecting steady interest in productive cropland despite varying soil quality. The average soil rating was 75.9 CPI, with land trading for an average of $120 per CPI point. The highest sale of the month took place in Brown County on August 14th, where 158 acres sold for $11,500 per acre. That tract was 98% tillable with a 60 CPI, equating to an impressive $192 per CPI point—showing strong buyer demand even for moderately rated soils in top farming regions. Overall, South Dakota’s farmland market showed healthy pricing stability and continued investor confidence through late summer.
Nebraska Farmland Sales – August 2025
Nebraska recorded three farmland sales in August 2025, totaling 270.83 acres with an average price of $11,333 per acre. On a tillable basis, land averaged $12,442 per tillable acre, reflecting strong buyer interest in quality tracts. The average soil score was 72.3, with an average price of $156.44 per NCCPI point. The highest sale of the month occurred in Thurston County, where 40 acres sold for $12,500 per acre. The property was 90% tillable and brought $165.13 per NCCPI point, highlighting continued demand for productive farmland even with moderate soil ratings. Overall, Nebraska’s August sales showed a competitive marketplace and solid pricing momentum heading into the fall.
Missouri Farmland Sales – August 2025
Missouri had limited farmland sales activity in August 2025, with only one sale of 80% or more tillable ground recorded during the month. That transaction took place in Ralls County on August 13th, where 100.88 acres sold for $9,000 per acre. The farm was 94% tillable with a 71.2 NCCPI, equating to $126.40 per NCCPI point. While volume was light, this sale reflects ongoing buyer interest and stable land values for high-quality, row-crop farms in the region.
Full Farmland Sales Data for August 2025
Want to dig deeper into farmland values? Explore more detailed farmland sales by state:
📌 [Iowa Farmland Sales – August 2025]
📌 [Illinois Farmland Sales – August 2025]
FAQ: How is farmland value different from assessed value or appraisal value?
County tax assessments and appraisals don’t always reflect true market value. The actual selling price of farmland is determined by what buyers are willing to pay in an open market. This is why auctions and recent comparable sales provide the most accurate snapshot of land values. Sellers should use recent sales data — not just assessed value — when estimating what their farm may bring.
Minnesota Farmland Recent Sales
Call us about selling your land at (641)423-6400. We can help you safely transition your land ownership using a private sale, public auction or even a private land auction.
| County | Date Sold | Total Acres | Total Price | $/Acre | Tillable Acres | % Tillable | $/Tillable Acre | Soil Score | $/CPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk | 09/26/2025 | 160.00 | $1,304,000 | $8,150 | 155.31 | 97.07 | $8,396.11 | 93.0 | $88 |
| Wilkin | 09/22/2025 | 161.86 | $809,300 | $5,000 | 149 | 92.05 | $5,432 | 87.9 | $57 |
| Wilkin | 09/22/2025 | 40.00 | $242,000 | $6,050 | 39 | 97.50 | $6,205 | 87.8 | $69 |
| Wilkin | 09/22/2025 | 80.00 | $570,000 | $7,125 | 75 | 93.75 | $7,600 | 94.6 | $75 |
| Norman | 09/22/2025 | 225.52 | $1,240,360 | $5,500 | 211 | 93.56 | $5,878 | 75.8 | $73 |
| Clay | 09/22/2025 | 86.00 | $309,600 | $3,600 | 84.14 | 97.84 | $3,680 | 50.5 | $71 |
| Renville | 09/18/2025 | 55.02 | $654,738 | $11,900 | 54.40 | 98.87 | $12,035.62 | 92.2 | $129 |
| Renville | 09/18/2025 | 96.58 | $1,101,012 | $11,400 | 88.80 | 91.94 | $12,398.78 | 93.7 | $122 |
| Renville | 09/09/2025 | 158.58 | $1,165,563 | $7,350 | 130.89 | 82.54 | $8,904.90 | 87.6 | $84 |
| Freeborn | 09/06/2025 | 51.90 | $451,530 | $8,700 | 49.43 | 95.24 | $9,134.74 | 92.5 | $94 |
| Freeborn | 09/06/2025 | 80.00 | $644,000 | $8,050 | 70.26 | 87.83 | $9,165.96 | 75.2 | $107 |
| Renville | 09/04/2025 | 120.62 | $1,387,130 | $11,500 | 119.50 | 99.07 | $11,607.78 | 93.8 | $123 |
| Renville | 09/04/2025 | 80.80 | $1,018,080 | $12,600 | 79.68 | 98.61 | $12,777.11 | 94.2 | $134 |
| Renville | 09/04/2025 | 80.00 | $1,008,000 | $12,600 | 76.90 | 96.13 | $13,107.93 | 91.1 | $138 |
| Renville | 09/04/2025 | 81.72 | $1,029,672 | $12,600 | 73.44 | 89.87 | $14,020.59 | 94.5 | $133 |
| Renville | 09/04/2025 | 39.70 | $516,100 | $13,000 | 38.17 | 96.15 | $13,521.09 | 96.1 | $135 |
| Totals/Averages | 1,598.30 | $13,451,085 | $9,070 | 1494.92 | 94.25 | $9,616.58 | 87.5 | $102 |
South Dakota Farmland Recent Sales
| County | Date Sold | Total Acres | Total Price | $/Acre | Tillable Acres | % Tillable | $/Tillable Acre | Soil Score | $/CPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | 08/14/2025 | 158.00 | $1,817,000 | $11,500 | 155.64 | 98.51 | $11,674.38 | 60.0 | $192 |
| Walworth | 08/07/2025 | 80.64 | $596,736 | $7,400 | 76.98 | 95.46 | $7,751.83 | 83.8 | $88 |
| Walworth | 08/07/2025 | 237.03 | $1,564,398 | $6,600 | 235.00 | 99.14 | $6,657.01 | 83.9 | $79 |
| Totals/Averages | 475.67 | $3,978,134 | $8,500 | 467.62 | 97.70 | $8,694.41 | 75.9 | $120 |
Nebraska Farmland Recent Sales
| County | Date Sold | Total Acres | Total Price | $/Acre | Tillable Acres | % Tillable | $/Tillable Acre | Soil Score | $/NCCPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarpy | 08/27/2025 | 78.83 | $922,311.00 | $11,700.00 | 75.00 | 95.14 | $12,297.48 | 73.0 | $160.27 |
| Harlan | 08/19/2025 | 152.00 | $1,489,600.00 | $9,800.00 | 133.69 | 87.95 | $11,142.19 | 68.1 | $143.91 |
| Thurston | 08/18/2025 | 40.00 | $500,000.00 | $12,500.00 | 36 | 90 | $13,888.89 | 75.7 | $165.13 |
| Totals/Averages | 270.83 | $2,911,911.00 | $11,333.33 | 244.69 | 91.032 | $12,442.85 | 72.3 | $156.44 |
Missouri Farmland Recent Sales
| County | Date Sold | Total Acres | Total Price | $/Acre | Tillable Acres | % Tillable | $/Tillable Acre | Soil Score | $/NCCPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralls | 08/13/2025 | 100.88 | $907,920.00 | $9,000.00 | 94.92 | 94.09 | $9,565.11 | 71.2 | $126.40 |
Rachel Tiffany
Auctioneer & Land Broker
Rachel is a licensed real estate broker assistant, auctioneer, and farmland agent in Iowa and managing broker and auctioneer in Illinois specializing in the sale of farm, land, and rural residential real estate. She is a graduate of Iowa State University, where she received a Bachelor’s in Animal Science with a minor in Agricultural Business. She is also a graduate of the National Auctioneers Association Certified Auctioneer Institute (CAI) school in March 2023. Rachel is eager to answer your questions, talk with you about your farm, and help you gain a deep understanding of your options as a seller. If you’re considering selling land, or even just curious about your options for the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out to her.
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 515-954-8063
Navigating the Selling Process:
Tips for Selling Your Farm
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 the Midwest
Meet our team of Midwest 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 Minnesota 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.
Assessing Your Farm’s Worth:
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 farmland or call us at 507-769-0128.