KANSAS CITY, MO (RFD NEWS) — Farmland values across the Midwest and Plains held steady in 2025 even as farm income, credit conditions, and repayment trends softened through the year, according to Federal Reserve agricultural credit surveys.
Francisco Scott and Ty Kreitman report cropland values were unchanged or slightly higher across participating Federal Reserve Districts, supported by resilient land demand and ad hoc government assistance despite tightening farm finances. Financial stress remained limited overall through late 2025.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Strong land values continue masking tighter farm finances.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Farm income weakened gradually in the fourth quarter, though declines slowed in some regions. Credit conditions also softened but at a slower pace, with fewer lenders reporting year-over-year deterioration in repayment rates across several Districts. Farm loan interest rates declined modestly from 2023 peaks to about 7.5 percent on average — still above long-term norms.
Regional farmland trends varied. Nonirrigated cropland values rose by more than 5 percent in northern Indiana, Kansas, and Texas but fell by about 4 percent in South Dakota, highlighting localized supply, income, and weather dynamics.
January 03, 2025 11:08 AM
·
RFD-TV ag law and tax expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law dives into common disputes over boundaries and conflicting surveys in agriculture.
December 01, 2024 12:51 PM
·
Key legal & tax insights for farmers, like accumulated earnings tax, using 401(k) to start farming, ag data in court, and maximizing farm home-sale exclusions when selling your farm.
November 14, 2024 05:03 PM
·
A U.S. Federal District Court upheld an Arizona rancher’s legal complaint against the Biden Administration’s decision to halt construction on a U.S.-Mexico border wall violated environmental law and the plaintiff’s property rights.
October 30, 2024 01:09 PM
·
In his latest Firm to Farm blog post, Ag Legal & Taxation Expert Roger McEowen examines contracts, insurance, and property rights and how those legal processes can impact your farm or ranch operation.
October 08, 2024 02:26 PM
·
RFD-TV ag legal expert Roger McEowen examines common issues facing farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners: SAF fuel, R&D credit, drones, and cleaning fencerows.
September 17, 2024 12:15 PM
·
