There aren’t any clear signs of significantly softer land prices in eastern South Dakota in January and February land auctions. One farm sold for $9,400, another for $8,150 and several for $6,150 to $6,800 per acre. The auctions took place in from mid-January through early February.

Moody County, S.D., land sales
Three different pieces of land in Moody County were sold at auction in January and February.

Land appears to be holding its value at some land auctions.

Approximately 160 acres sold for $9,400 per acre. Located in the “Garden Spot of eastern South Dakota,” according to the sale bill, the land had “excellent quality high producing soils and has been maintained in an excellent state of cultivation.” It was sold subject to an existing lease. The buyers received $300 per acre on approximately 150 acres of cropland and $150 per acre on approximately 10 acres of grass hayland.

A 50-acre tract with a Surety AgriData productivity index of 54.2 sold for $4,100 per acre.

Eighty acres consisting of 25 acres of cropland, 41 acres of Conservation Reserve Program and 12 acres of non-tillable land sold for about $3,700 per acre. The CRP contracts expire in 2019.

The auctions were conducted managed by Chuck Sutton Auctioneer and Land Broker, Sioux Falls and Flandreau, S.D. Phone: 605-997-3777. www.suttonauction.com

Lake County, S.D., farm brings $8,150 per acre
A Lake County, S.D., farm sold in two tracts at auction ry for $8,150 and $6,500 per acre in January. The $8,500 per acre property had predominantly all tillable high yielding Class I and II soils. It had an average Surety Agridata productivity index rating of 80. About 3,600 feet of tile has been installed.

The land that sold for $6,500 had a Surety Aridata productivity index rating of 74.6, The tract had 73.65 acres of cropland acres. Trees had been dug up on the south side of the property, providing new buyers additional tillable acres. The seller offered a $5,000 credit at closing to new buyers for cost of burying trees.

Auction conducted and managed by Burlage Peterson Auctioneers & Realtors, Brookings, S.D. Phone 605-692-7102. hwww.burlagepeterson.com

$6,800 buys irrigated cropland
Approximately 117 irrigated acres in Yankton County, S.D., sold for $6,800 per acre at an auction in January. The land had a productivity index of 69.1. The sale included a 2013 Valley 7-tower, low-pressure center pivot system, diesel engine, 900 gallon fuel tank, submersible pump and other irrigation equipment..

Auction managed and conducted by Wieman Land and Auction Co., Marion, S.D. Phone: 800-251-3111. www.wiemanauction.com.

Hand County lands tops $6,000 per acre
About 317 acres in Hand County, S.D., sold for $6,175 per acre at an auction in January.

The property had a weighted productivity index of 85.9 with the potential to be nearly all tillable or to could be maintained as pasture.

Auction conducted and managed by Burlage Peterson Auctioneers & Realtors, Brookings, S.D. Phone 605-692-7102. www.burlagepeterson.com.