Illinois Farmland Auctions Top $4.1M as Midwest Land Values Hold Firm

Jim Rothermich with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers joined us to share the latest on farmland real estate markets across the Midwest.

Jennifer_Campbell_08_31_16_USA_IL_CAMPBELL_FARM_045.jpg

Campbell Farm in Franklin, Ill. (FarmHER Season 1, Ep. 25)

FarmHER, Inc.

DES MOINES, IOWA (RFD NEWS) — Several recent farmland auctions in Illinois posted some notable results. Four tracts were up for sale, and combined, they brought in roughly $4.1 million. Here’s a breakdown:

  • In Bureau County, 120 taxable acres sold for $9,400 per acre, totaling about $1.1 million.
  • In Marshall County, nearly 40 acres sold for approximately $550,000 — or about $14,000 per acre.
  • In McLean County, 118 acres brought $12,000 per acre.
  • In Stark County, 104 acres changed hands for more than $10,000 per acre.

Taken together, the sales offer another snapshot of how farmland real estate values are holding up in parts of the Midwest.

There have been several notable ag land sales across farm country in recent months, as producers weigh opportunities to buy or sell amid shifting market conditions. With multiple factors poised to influence the land market in the months ahead, interest remains high.

Jim Rothermich with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), who tracks land auctions across Iowa, joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report with an update on farmland auctions in the Midwest.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Rothermich discussed how market conditions played out in 2025 based on auction data. He also addressed the total number of acres auctioned in 2025, how activity is shaping up so far in 2026, and what opportunities may exist for land buyers heading into the year, as producers assess their next move in a changing market.

Related Stories
Livestock and government payments provide a boost, but crop receipts and rising expenses keep pressure on margins. Strong financial planning remains key in a volatile environment.
The decline in production marks the second consecutive year of contraction in the U.S. turkey industry.
We caught up with Karen Braun, Chief Market Analyst at Zaner Ag Hedge, at the Women in Agribusiness to discuss the data behind commodity trading.
Weston Brown joined us on Monday in the RFD-TV Studios in Nashville to share how he is preparing for the upcoming National FFA Convention & Expo.
Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn joined us Monday to share highlights from Secretary Brooke Rollins’ visit and her perspective on USDA’s new initiatives.
RFD-TV Farm Legal and Taxation expert, Roger McEowen, with the Washburn School of Law, joined us Monday to break down the changes and explain what producers should know.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Gov. Gavin Newsom has until October 12 to sign a bill passed by the California state legislature allowing E15 sales.
The Final Grain Stocks Report may be the last key figures we see if a government shutdown halts future updates.
USDA and EPA officials aim to maintain America’s robust food supply while ensuring farmers have access to key resources and crop protection tools.
The campaign is about more than just a digital push; NPB leaders hope it will become a rallying point for the entire industry.
The Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution that had been approved by the House the previous week. They could take it up again today, but it would take seven democrats to end the stalemate.
“Those could’ve easily been our beans going over there. It goes to show that if that opportunity is there, China would be willing to buy.”