Illinois Turns Attention to the Farmland Market as Harvest Wraps Up

David Klein with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) shares an end-of-harvest update and a peek at the farmland market in Central Illinois.

BLOOMINGTON, ILL. (RFD-TV) — The agricultural market has now gone a whole month without harvest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and with combines nearing the finish line in many areas, farmers are shifting their focus to post-harvest conditions.

David Klein with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report with an end-of-harvest update.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Klein said farmers in central Illinois are averaging corn and soybean prices close to those of last year. He also discussed trends in sales methods as producers and landowners assess current conditions.

Klein said that while there have been some business-planning delays in the state farmland market, approximately 22,000 acres were set for auction in November, but they are adding new listings every day. While trends seem to favor auctions, he is also seeing many traditional listings and sealed-bid auctions when sellers have a price point they want to hit. He said, overall, the market is down about 2.5%, but much lower in some areas of the state, suggesting there’s plenty of opportunity for investors interested in picking up high-quality land.

Related Stories
Rising beef supplies and lower cattle prices, weaker hog markets, and softening dairy prices will shape producer margins heading into 2026.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities breaks down the outlook on grain storage and domestic supply chain strength as producers weigh planting decisions with forthcoming federal aid.
Experts say flooding the zone with more money could have unintented consequences without opening new markets for planted crops and inputs under significant pressure.
A permanent national E15 standard would boost corn demand, lower fuel costs, and provide a stable path for U.S. energy security.
Farm Journal Foundation Senior Policy Adviser Dr. Stephanie Mercier outlines new research on the top sixteen biosecurity threats in agriculture/
American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland shares the soybean sector outlook following the announcement of farm aid to offset losses for U.S. row crop growers.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lily Pryer’s passion shows how National FFA members are making an impact in classrooms and communities all across Rural America.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147, joined us with his 2026 cattle market outlook and insights on beef prices.
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.
The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024.