The 2018 growing season continues across the Midwest. Since spring planting, rainfall patterns have ranged from scarce across much of southern Iowa to excessive in the north-central and northwest regions, while the east-central region has had average to adequate moisture.

Both historic flooding and moderate drought was seen within just a few counties of each other. Fortunately, corn and soybean crops continue to develop. And once corn pollination is complete, another harvest season will soon be here.

As the farmland marketplace gears up for the traditional beginning of the fall-winter selling season, the overall land market remains stable. However, localized differences in growing-season success can play a role in fall’s farmland sales.

High-quality farms with the most productive soils, solid drainage, easy farm-ability and strong fertility will continue to sell best. And farmers are likely to remain the most prevalent group of buyers, even though many nonfarming investors are active across Iowa.

Again, variability in sale results for similar quality farms located in different areas can be attributed to local factors playing an increasing role in the farmland market in the coming months.

NORTHWEST

Buena Vista County: Southeast of Newell, 79 acres recently sold at public auction for $8,300 per acre. The farm consists of 79 tillable acres with an 83.4 CSR2 and equals $99 per CSR2 point on the tillable acres.

NORTH CENTRAL

Butler County: Recently, 94 acres sold at public auction for $6,600 per acre. The farm has 91.5 tillable acres with a 70.4 CSR2. The sale equals $96 per CSR2 point on the tillable acres.

NORTHEAST

Delaware County: North of Greeley, 115 acres sold for $8,076 per acre. All 115 acres are tillable with a 60.1 CSR2, so the sale equals $134 per CSR2 point. Buyer is a local investor.

WEST CENTRAL

Guthrie County: In Richland Township, 80 acres sold for $7,950 per acre with 66 tillable acres and a 62.9 CSR2. The sale equals $153 per CSR2 point on the tillable acres.

CENTRAL

Hamilton County: In Williams Township, 147 acres sold for $9,100 per acre.  The farm consists of 143.6 tillable acres with an 83.8 CSR2. The sale equals $111 per CSR2 point on the tillable acres.

EAST CENTRAL

Linn County: East of Springville, 155 acres for $10,200 per acre at public auction. The farm has 149.5 tillable acres with a 79.9 CSR2. The sale equals $132 per CSR2 point on the tillable acres.

SOUTHWEST

Fremont County: East of Sidney, 224 acres sold for $5,357 per acre. This river-bottom farm has 222 tillable acres with an 80.6 CSR2. The sale equals $67 per CSR2 point on the tillable acres.

SOUTH CENTRAL

Appanoose County: East of Cincinnati, 46 acres sold at public auction for $2,625 per acre. The land is growing alfalfa hay and includes a 1-acre stocked pond. The property features a 33.6 CSR2 rating on the entire farm.  

SOUTHEAST

Henry County: North of Trenton, 80 acres sold for $6,475 per acre. The farm has 66 tillable acres with a 66.4 CSR2; balance of the acres includes timber and a pond. The sale equals $118 per CSR2 point on the tillable acres. 

Hertz Real Estate Services compiled this list, but not all sales were handled by Hertz. Call Hertz at 800-593-5263 or visit hertz.ag.