Bids for some of the best farmland in South Dakota soared to $8,400, $8,600 and $9,500 per acre in public auctions in November. The land had soil ratings ranging from 0.846 to 0.932.

Prime farmland sets the pace
On Nov. 10, a 148-acre tract in Lincoln County, S.D., near Norway Center, with a sold rating of 0.846, sold for $9,500 per acre. On Nov. 9, an 80-acre farm in Turner County land near Chancellor, with a soil rating of 0.929, sold for $8,600 per acre. On Nov. 9, a 67-acre property in Turner County land northwest of Viborg, with a soil rating of 0.932, sold for $8,400 per acre. — Auctions managed and conducted by Westra Atkins Auctions, Beresford, S.D. Phone: 605-310-6941. westraatkins.com.

Northern N.D. cropland with woods
Excellent cropland with great soils and excellent hunting opportunities in McHenry County, N.D., sold for $1,300 per acre at an auction in September. The 157-acre property located between Minot and Bottineau featured well drained soils and a wooded, winding creek that flowed through the property. “This is a great place for farming as well as recreation,” the sale catalog read. — Auction managed and conducted by Pifer’s Auction and Realty, Moorhead, Minn. Phone: 877-700-4099. pifers.com.

$3,000/a buys Deuel County, S.D., farm
Approximately 140 acres in Deuel County, S.D., sold for $3,000 at an auction in September. The land sold in 80- and 60- acre tracts, each of which had a large percentage of land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. — Auction managed and conducted by Sutton Auctioneer and Land Broker, Sioux Falls, S.D. Phone: 605-336-6315. suttonauction.com.

Pasture with wetland, grassland easements
Quality pasture land subject to U.S. Fish and Wildlife wetland and grassland easements sold for $1,300 per acre at an auction in October. The 157-acre tract in Sheridan County, N.D., had a good water source, double fences on the north and west sides, and a 4-wire fence on the south side that was in good condition. The seller retained the mineral rights. — Auction managed and conducted by Pifer’s Auction and Realty, Moorhead, Minn. Phone: 877-700-4099. pifers.com.

Good cropland and wildlife habitat
A 148-acre farm in Clark County, S.D., sold for $3,350 per acre in a public auction in September. The sale bill promoted the property as “especially attractive to attractive to crop-livestock operators, investors, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.” The land had CRP acres, cropland, pasture and a wetland/slough area. Production of pheasants, deer and waterfowl was high due to the combination of CRP and wetland areas, according to the sale bill. — Auction managed and conducted by Sutton Auctioneer and Land Broker, Sioux Falls, S.D. Phone: 605-336-6315. suttonauction.com.

Land with potential building sites
Eighty acres in southern Moody County, S.D., with potential rural building sites, productive cropland, CRP and pasture, according to the sale bill, sold for $5,850 in a September auction. “This farm has been well farmed and operated in a steward like fashion utilizing terraces and other conservation practices and has drain tile installed in strategic areas in order to enhance the farmability of this land,” the sale bill said. The property overall had a 59.9 Surety Agri Data productivity index. — Auction managed and conducted by Sutton Auctioneer and Land Broker, Sioux Falls, S.D. Phone: 605-336-6315. suttonauction.com.

Close to Sioux Falls
144 acres in Lincoln County, just 12 miles southwest of Sioux Falls, S.D., sold for $6,200 per acre at an auction Sept. 28. “Great location … close to Lennox and the land’s eastern boundary is on a hard surface road. The land includes three housing eligibilities and is available to the new owner for the 2018 crop year,” the sale bill said. — Auction managed and conducted by Westra Atkins Auctions, Beresford, S.D. Phone: 605-310-6941. westraatkins.com.