The value of agricultural land is influenced by several factors, from soil quality to market demand. Whether you’re buying, selling, or appraising farmland, understanding these elements can help you make informed decisions. In this blog, we’ll explore the most critical factors affecting farmland prices and how they impact land valuation.

Growing up on my family’s dairy farm in the picturesque hills of Northeast Iowa, I always felt a deep sense of peace walking along the pastures and field driveways. Even though I didn’t know where those walks might lead, there was something grounding about them. Today, I find that same sense of stability when I talk with landowners about their family farms or recent land investments. After 12 years in the appraisal field, I’m honored to hold the ARA designation, which has been both humbling and grounding in my career.

Cotton has long been a cornerstone of agriculture in the Mid-South, a region known for its fertile soil, favorable climate, and rich agricultural heritage. The Mid-South, stretching across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri Bootheel, and Louisiana, has become one of the leading cotton-producing areas in the United States. This article explores the factors contributing to successful cotton production in the region, the cultivation process, and the challenges faced by farmers.

For savvy investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and defer capital gains taxes, the IRS 1031 exchange provides an excellent opportunity. For qualified transactions, one of the lesser-known yet advantageous investment options for a 1031 exchange is mineral rights. Here’s why more investors are turning their attention underground, quite literally, by exchanging them for minerals.

Horizontal drilling technology has revolutionized the oil and gas industry, unlocking previously inaccessible reserves and dramatically increasing production efficiency. This advanced method involves drilling vertically to a predetermined depth and then gradually curving the wellbore to extend horizontally through the targeted oil or gas reservoir. The process, although complex, offers numerous advantages over traditional vertical drilling, making it a cornerstone of modern petroleum extraction.

California has long been the United States’ most significant agricultural producer in terms of crop diversity and total crop value – its ag exports alone are worth more than the total production of 44 states and California is the only state that generates over 10% of America’s agricultural receipts.

The Midwest region of the United States, known for its expansive farmlands and agricultural heritage, is becoming a powerhouse for renewable energy development. This transformation is driven by the region's abundant natural resources, technological advancements, and supportive policy frameworks. In this article, we explore the current landscape of renewable energy in the Midwest, focusing on wind and solar power, and the benefits and challenges associated with this green revolution.

The Pacific Northwest stands as a beacon of environmental stewardship, and renewable energy plays a pivotal role in amplifying its positive impacts. With its lush forests, abundant rivers, and stunning coastlines, the region embodies a natural harmony that renewable energy technologies complement.

Tailwater recovery systems, reservoirs, and relifts are some of the water carrying practices farm operators, landowners and conservationists implement to efficiently move water in the Delta. While there are several Delta aquifers used across the region, most farmland depends on pumping from is the Mississippi River Alluvial Aquifer.

As of 2024, natural gas commodity prices have exhibited a dynamic and fluctuating trend influenced by various factors. One significant driver of prices has been the global demand-supply dynamics. Increased demand for natural gas, particularly in emerging economies, has contributed to upward pressure on prices.