As solar energy expands across rural America, landowners are increasingly receiving enticing offers to lease their land for solar development.

In the latest edition of the Landowner Insights series, Dr. Dave Muth of Peoples Company Capital Markets is joined by Brian Klippenstein, Consultant at Missouri Water Center, Ambassador Gregg Doud, President & CEO of National Milk Producers Federation, and Iowa Senator Michael Bousselot.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 69 tracts or 6,511 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during April 2025. The average dollar per acre was $12,136, the average dollar per tillable acre was $15,979, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $185.

When managing an estate, an appraisal plays a vital role in determining the fair market value of assets such as real estate and farmland. This valuation is essential for ensuring accurate tax calculations, fair inheritance distribution, and legal compliance. Understanding the appraisals' purpose can help protect family wealth and simplify the estate planning process.

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 appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 50 tracts or 4,981 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during March 2025. The average dollar per acre was $12,597, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,722, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $176.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 65 tracts or 7,510 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during February 2025. The average dollar per acre was $12,178, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,263, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $171.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 76 tracts or 6,614 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during January 2025. The average dollar per acre was $11,295, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,808, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $180.

Interest in real estate and other alternative or Alt-investments has increased substantially in the past couple of years. Forbes magazine, for example, reported that the share of financial advisors recommending Alts to their clients increased from 25% in 2020 to 55% in 2024 (Fred Hubler, 9/10/2024). Among these, agricultural real estate has stood out because of the understood positive correlation with inflation, low correlation with equity returns, and low risk of capital loss with relatively consistent income.

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.