Peoples Perspective

While corn and soybeans dominate the landscape, it is easy to overlook the small, yet active logging industry found across the Midwest. Iowa alone has 2.1 million acres of woodlands, where local loggers harvest common species ranging from oak and walnut along the Mississippi River to maple and cottonwood in the state’s interior. Logging as a niche market in the larger agriculture industry generates a $5 billion impact on Iowa’s economy.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides comprehensive analyses and projections of the nation's energy landscape. Recent reports highlight significant trends and forecasts across various energy sectors, reflecting the dynamic nature of energy production, consumption, and policy in the United States.

In the highly competitive real estate market, first impressions matter. With more buyers and investors turning to online platforms to discover properties, the visual presentation of a listing can make all the difference. High-quality imagery, mapping, and videography are no longer optional add-ons but essential tools for attracting potential buyers. These tools provide a deeper understanding of the property, build emotional connections, and ultimately drive faster and higher-value sales. Let’s explore how these elements work together to elevate real estate listings, especially when dealing with properties like farmland, large estates, or development tracts.

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.

Emily Oberbroeckling, ARA, Peoples Company, has been awarded the Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®).

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 139 tracts or 12,335 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during October 2024. The average dollar per acre was $11,072, the average dollar per tillable acre was $12,408, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $161.

Farmland can be a difficult asset class to participate in as there are significant barriers to entry, one of which is sourcing quality farmland for sale in a highly dynamic market. For the Farmland Investor, access to quality deal flow is essential for building your portfolio.

Anyone in the farmland sector has heard the adage that as the size of a farm increases the price per acre typically decreases. Whether you’re an appraiser or other real estate professional, this message seems to be heard throughout the business. While this can be true in many cases, I’ve run across some instances where the theory could be questioned.

Leasing farmland is easy, but it’s not simple. Unlike commercial or residential real estate, farmland is renowned for its nearly 100% occupancy rate. If a farmer retires, there is often a line of people eager to assume the farm lease on that property. Finding someone to farm your land – that’s the easy part.