There were some large parcels of farmland up for sale in the Dakotas in March. On the auction block were 1,200 acres of farmland in Lincoln County, S.D., 1,818 acres in Stutsman County, N.D., and 1,200 acres in Hettinger and Adams counties in North Dakota. It was a good test of the land market, says one auctioneer of his sale.

Stutsman County cropland brings $3,700 per acre
Cropland in central Stutsman County, N.D., sold for as much as $3,700 per acre at auction in March. Approximately 1,818 acres were sold in nine different parcels. Soil productive ratings ranged from 70 to 85. Two tracts brought $3,700 per acre, one sold for $3,625 per acre and the remainder sold for $2,800, $2,850 and $2,900 per acre. — Auction managed and conducted by Pifer’s Auction and Realty, Moorhead, Minn. Phone: 877-700-4099. pifers.com.

Good test of S.D. land market
An auction of more than 1,200 acres of farmland in Lincoln County, S.D., in late March was a good test of the land market, says Peter Aitkens, of Westra Aitkens Real Estate and Auctioneers, Beresford, S.D. "Overall it was a strong sale with the higher quality land in strong demand," Aitkens says. "The highest selling tract was a quarter located north of Canton bringing $9,175 per acre. Approximately 70 acres east of Harrisburg about four miles brought $9,050. Several tracts brought $8,250 to $8,800 and the balance sold for $5,650 to $7,900 per acre. We had a very large crowd and as demand for high quality was strong." — Auction managed and conducted by Westra Atkins Land & Auction, LLC, Beresford, S.D. Phone: 605-310-6941. westraatkins.com.

Western S.D. land sells for $650 per acre
A “very productive farm/ranch” consisting of 640 acres located in Corson County, S.D., southwest of Lemmon near Shadehill Reservoir and Recreation Area sold in March for approximately $650 per acre. Of the 640 acres, about 180 acres was farmland or hayland. There was a nice pond for livestock water and wildlife on the property, according to the sale bill. — Sold by Farmers National Co., Jeff Garrett, agent. Phone 605-641-0574. farmersnational.com.

Access to grain terminals, ethanol plants a plus
Approximately 74 acres Lincoln County, S.D., sold at an auction on March 28 for $9,375 per acre. There were 70 acres of cropland and about four acres of roads, waterway and a small area of shrubs. The property had a soil rating of .873. The sale bill described the location as "excellent" with several grain terminals and ethanol plants nearby. — Auction managed and conducted by Sutton Auctioneer and Land Broker, Sioux Falls, S.D. Phone: 605-336-6315. suttonauction.com.

Steele County, N.D., cropland bring $1,785 per acre
Approximately 476 acres in Steele County, N.D., sold for $1,785 per acre in March. All but 12 acres were farmland. The property was located near Highway 200 and was enrolled ARC-County program. — Sold by Farmers National Co., Rob Loe, listing agent. Phone: 701-797-3275. farmersnational.com.

Western N.D. cropland sold
Approximately 1,200 acres of cropland, hayland and pasture in Hettinger and Adams Coiunty, N.D., sold in five parcel at an auction in March. The cropland bought between $1,825 and $2,050 per acre. The pasture and hayland parcels sold for $1,000 per acre. — Auction managed and conducted by Pifer’s Auction and Realty, Moorhead, Minn. Phone: 877-700-4099. pifers.com.