Land Values Blogs

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.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 90 tracts or 8,791 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during December 2024. The average dollar per acre was $11,076, the average dollar per tillable acre was $12,329, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $175.

Peoples Company unveils our fifth annual National Land Values Report featuring data-driven research on current farmland values across the nation, trends that may impact future values, and practical stories from around the country.

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 223 tracts or 22,530 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during November 2024. The average dollar per acre was $12,090, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,949, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $180.

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 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.

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.

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 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.