Land Values Blogs

July 29, 2024

Understanding Agricultural Appraisal in Lending: Ensuring Sustainable Financing for Farmers

In the realm of agricultural lending, the process of appraisal holds significant weight. It's not just about assessing the monetary value of land and assets; it's about understanding the intricacies of farming practices, environmental impacts, and the overall sustainability of agricultural operations. Agricultural appraisal ensures that lenders can make informed decisions while offering financial support to farmers, fostering growth in rural economies, and ensuring food security.
July 25, 2024

Why Invest in Farmland with Lower Cash Yields Compared to Current Treasuries

Investing in farmland with a cash yield of only 2.5% might seem less attractive when current treasuries yield 5% or more. However, several strategic reasons exist to consider farmland a valuable addition to your investment portfolio. This article will explore these reasons, including inflation hedging, portfolio diversification, long-term appreciation, and other benefits that make farmland a compelling investment.
July 10, 2024

California Farmland Investment in a Dynamic Market

California has long been the United States’ most significant agricultural producer in terms of crop diversity and total crop value – its ag exports alone are worth more than the total production of 44 states and California is the only state that generates over 10% of America’s agricultural receipts.
July 2, 2024

Iowa Land Values Update | 2024 Quarter 2

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.
July 2, 2024

Land Auction Results | June 2024

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 87 tracts or 7,243 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during June 2024. The average dollar per acre was $11,298, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,538, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $168.
June 13, 2024

Eminent Domain Valuation

Farmland owners face several challenges to ownership related to utility companies, pipeline companies, highways, and others who need to acquire property for a potential new corridor through their land. There are increasing demands for power and energy sources which is leading to increased demands from agencies needing to acquire land. It is important for landowners and companies that need to acquire a corridor to understand the process of completing appraisals for eminent domain purposes.
June 10, 2024

Farmland as an Inflationary Hedge – What Types of Agriculture Production Should be Considered?

As inflation rates continue to rise in the United States, investors have renewed interest in alternative investment opportunities that can outperform traditional asset classes without sacrificing stability. In 2021, The Land Report named Bill Gates as the top private farmland owner in America, since then investors of all sizes and backgrounds have flocked to the agricultural sector.
June 5, 2024

Land Auction Results | May 2024

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 37 tracts or 3,711 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during May 2024. The average dollar per acre was $11,238, the average dollar per tillable acre was $12,604, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $165.

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May 6, 2024

Land Auction Results | April 2024

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 50 tracts or 3,514.48 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during April 2024. The average dollar per acre was $10,852, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,624, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $181.
May 2, 2024

Deciphering the Dynamics of the Midwest Land Market

At Peoples Company, the question that is heard daily up and down the halls is a simple yet pivotal one: “What is happening in the land market?” In recent years, the answer has been straightforward - an upward trajectory.
April 4, 2024

Iowa Land Values Update - 2024 Quarter 1

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.
April 3, 2024

Evaluating Impacts of Transition to "Net Zero" on Farmland Values

In 2021 the U.S. rejoined The Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change, and published “The Long-Term Strategy of the United States, Pathways to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 [1]. Net zero refers to a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) that is produced and the amount of GHG removed from the atmosphere. Agriculture accounts for approximately 10% of total GHG emissions in the U.S. [2].
April 2, 2024

Land Auction Results - March 2024

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 82 tracts or 6,803.16 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during March 2024. The average dollar per acre was $11,316, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,574, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $174.
March 4, 2024

Land Auction Results - February 2024

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 85 tracts or 7,064.51 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during February 2024. The average dollar per acre was $13,389, the average dollar per tillable acre was $14,935, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $185.
February 6, 2024

Land Auction Results - January 2024

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 40 tracts or 3,868.91 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during January 2024. The average dollar per acre was $12,060, the average dollar per tillable acre was $14,071, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $183.
January 5, 2024

Iowa Land Values Update - 2023 Quarter 4

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.
January 4, 2024

Land Auction Results - December 2023

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 94 tracts or 9,929.61 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during December 2023. The average dollar per acre was $12,104, the average dollar per tillable acre was $14,085, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $180.
December 27, 2023

Commercial Real Estate vs. Farmland

After reading yet another negative headline on the $20 trillion commercial real estate (CRE) market, I was reminded of the investment characteristic I once assumed the CRE market shared with the $4 trillion farmland market.
December 7, 2023

Choosing a Certified General Appraiser or a Realtor for Your Property Appraisal: Which One is Right for You?

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.
December 4, 2023

Land Auction Results - November 2023

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.