Peoples Perspective

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.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 93 tracts or 7,374 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during September 2024. The average dollar per acre was $13,428, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,481, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $170.

Peoples Company tracks agricultural auctions across the state of Iowa. From this data, we calculate the average dollar per CSR2 point ($/CSR2) for sales of tracts with greater than 85% tillable land. Additionally, these tracts are largely unimproved or include minimal improvement contribution.

The business of farmland transactions and asset management is digitizing quickly. Twenty years ago, a farmland professional needed to take a trip to the local USDA NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) office to get a soil map for a farmland asset. The NRCS staff would use the USDA farm and tract number to find the asset in a binder, pull the page(s) with the map, and run the pages through the copying machine to produce hard copies of the map.

Alligator hunting in Louisiana is deeply rooted in the culture, history, and ecology of the state. Louisiana’s winding bayous/rivers, sprawling marshlands, and expansive timber tracts offer the largest selection of hunting experiences in the United States, drawing hunters from around the world who seek the adventure of hunting numerous different animals and species. Alligator hunting is probably the most unique and thrilling hunting experience offered in the boot state.

Go, Dog. Go! This classic children’s book written by P.D. Eastman was my daughter’s favorite book. She loved the pictures of colorful dogs franticly racing from one place to another, seemingly without any purpose. Some days a career in rural appraisal can feel very similar. Running from property inspections, market research, meetings, classes, verifying sales, and writing appraisal reports, can make it feel like we are running in circles.

A well-drafted farm lease is more than just a document outlining acres and rental rates—it establishes the foundation for a strong, long-term relationship between the landowner and the farm operator. Early fall is the ideal time for landowners and tenant operators to begin discussing lease options for the coming year. Starting these conversations early allows ample time for goal-setting and financial planning to ensure everyone is fully prepared when spring rolls around.

For our next webinar in the Landowner Insights series, Dave Chatterton of Strategic Farm Marketing joins Dr. Dave Muth to discuss crop insurance and how it impacts farmland values and returns.

In an era where sustainability and profitability intertwine, land investment has evolved beyond conventional real estate ventures. Modern investors seek opportunities that not only promise financial gains but also contribute positively to the environment and communities.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are revolutionizing the way we generate, store, and use energy. As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources, these systems are becoming a critical component in ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply. BESS not only help manage the variability of renewable energy but also play a vital role in creating a resilient and efficient power grid.