Peoples Perspective

It’s easy to fall into the mindset that our concerns regarding the lack of rainfall are past us once the crop is out of the ground. A drought naturally puts crop production at risk, but dry conditions post-harvest also have long-term impacts on farming operations.

When it comes to determining the value of your property, whether for buying, selling, refinancing, or other purposes, it's crucial to rely on the expertise of a qualified professional. Two common choices for property appraisal are certified appraisers and real estate agents or brokers. While both can provide valuable insights, there are key differences between the two.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 255 tracts or 23,230 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during November 2023. The average dollar per acre was $12,018, the average dollar per tillable acre was $14,124, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $181.

As harvest across the Midwest is wrapping up, the seasonal auction sales are officially in full swing. In Iowa, our appraisal team was able to track over 7,800 acres sold in 89 tracts. The average dollar per acre was $13,043, average dollar per tillable acre was $14,423 with an average dollar per CSR2 point of $178. This is down 2% from the Q3 average. Illinois had a rally, too, with 1,830 acres selling in 24 tracts at an average dollar per acre of $15,281.

November is historically the busiest time of year for public auctions, and 2023 is no exception. The week of November 5, 61 tracts were auctioned in Iowa, 20 in Illinois, 15 in Minnesota, and 10 in Nebraska.

Louisiana is renowned for its rich culture, extensive agricultural opportunities, and diverse wildlife. Bountiful and diverse wildlife populations offer unique recreational hunting opportunities, which is the exact reason that Louisiana is referred to as the “Sportsman’s Paradise.” This article centers on Louisiana duck hunting, but waterfowl hunting is a very popular pastime across the country, particularly in the other Delta states of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

The South Dakota Blockchain Institute held its first symposium in Sioux Falls, SD on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Most, if not all, reading this article have heard of blockchain and its association with Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies. To some, just mentioning blockchain can initiate great enthusiasm while others dismiss it with the wave of a hand.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 57 tracts or 5,552 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during October 2023. The average dollar per acre was $12,456, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,820, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $171.

I had the opportunity to visit one of my managed farms in central Iowa a few weeks ago. We always seek to be a good partner and building strong, positive relationships is important to our management approach. I hit the jackpot this day, as I got to share a hot meal out in the field with my farmer tenant and his family.

Julie C Barraza Boggs, AFM, Peoples Company, Monroe, LA, has been awarded the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®).