Iowa Farmland Auction Results: What Is Tillable Farmland Selling For in 2026?

Sep 2, 2026

Iowa farmland auction results august 2026

Iowa Farmland Auction Results: What Is Tillable Farmland Selling For in 2026?

If you own Iowa farmland and have been wondering what your ground could bring in today’s market, recent auction results provide some useful insight.

August 2026 was a particularly active month for Iowa land auctions, with 10,821 acres auctioned across the state. Of those acres, 9,484 were tillable. August ranked third in auction volume since 2018, according to the August 2026 Land Talk Monthly report.

But amount of acres sold is only part of the story.

For farmland owners considering a sale, the bigger question is:

What are buyers actually paying for tillable Iowa farmland right now?

Iowa Tillable Farmland Auction Prices in August 2026

Looking at the results from August, there was a wide range of prices across Iowa.

Among the 70 sales identified as tillable farmland, excluding a few specialized tracts such as wind turbine, farmstead and CRP-tillable properties, the results show:

  • Weighted average sale price: approximately $12,250 per acre
  • Median sale price: approximately $12,150 per acre
  • Lowest sale price: $6,500 per acre
  • Highest sale price: $21,500 per acre
  • The sales represented nearly 7,800 acres of farmland.

These numbers demonstrate something important for Iowa landowners: there isn’t one single “Iowa farmland price.”

The value of an individual farm can vary dramatically depending on soil quality, CSR2, location, tillable percentage, tract size, improvements, drainage, access and buyer demand.

The August auction results show that range clearly.

Higher-Quality Iowa Farmland Continues to Bring Strong Prices

One of the clearest trends in the August results is the premium buyers are still willing to pay for higher-quality tillable farmland.

Among the disclosed tillable sales with a CSR2 of 80 or higher, the weighted average sale price was approximately $14,040 per acre.

Several individual sales were considerably higher.

For example:

  • O’Brien County: 78.27 acres sold for $19,000/acre with a 98 CSR2.
  • O’Brien County: 74.68 acres sold for $21,500/acre with a 93.2 CSR2.
  • Scott County: 162 acres sold for $18,600/acre with a 91.9 CSR2.
  • Sac County: 37.03 acres sold for $16,200/acre with an 86.9 CSR2.
  • Palo Alto County: 160 acres sold for $16,250/acre with an 85 CSR2.

These sales are a good reminder that quality farmland can still command a significant premium in the Iowa market.

For an owner of high-quality, highly tillable ground, looking only at a countywide average (or even a statewide average) may not tell the whole story on what your farm is worth.

Lower-CSR Farmland Is Still Selling, But at a Different Price Point

The other side of the August results shows just how much soil productivity can influence value.

For tillable sales with a CSR2 below 80, the weighted average was approximately $10,500 per acre.

Some examples included:

  • Clarke County: $7,100/acre with a 59.3 CSR2
  • Decatur County: $6,500/acre with a 52.6 CSR2
  • Van Buren County: $6,500/acre with a 54.8 CSR2
  • Montgomery-Mills County: $6,900/acre with a 70.4 CSR2
  • Johnson County: $7,700/acre with a 68.3 CSR2.

That doesn’t mean lower CSR farms aren’t valuable. It simply illustrates why the characteristics of your specific farm matter so much when determining its market value.

What Do These Results Mean for Iowa Farmland Owners?

If you’re a landowner who has been thinking about selling, these results offer a few important takeaways.

1. Buyers are still paying strong prices for quality farmland.

The August sales included multiple transactions above $15,000 per acre, with several high-quality farms selling for $18,000 to more than $20,000 per acre.

That doesn’t mean every Iowa farm is worth $15,000+ per acre. But it does show that strong buyer demand remains for the right property.

2. CSR2 still matters…but it isn’t the only factor.

Two farms with similar CSR2 ratings can sell for very different prices.

Location, farm size, field shape, drainage, access, tenant situation, competing buyers and the overall characteristics of the property can all influence the final sale price.

That’s why looking at a handful of nearby sales is generally more useful than simply asking, “What’s farmland selling for in Iowa?”

3. Auction results can reveal what buyers are actually willing to pay.

An auction provides an opportunity for multiple qualified buyers to compete for the same property.

That competition can create a very different result than simply putting a price on a farm and waiting for one buyer to make an offer.

August’s results included everything from farms selling in the $6,000-$8,000 range to premium properties bringing more than $18,000 or $20,000 per acre.

The property and how it is marketed matters. 

Is Now a Good Time to Sell Iowa Farmland?

That’s a much more personal question than simply looking at the highest sale price.

For some landowners, selling may make sense because of retirement, estate planning, an upcoming ownership transition, taxes, debt, family circumstances or simply because they believe it is the right time to capture the value they have built.

For others, continuing to own and rent the land may be the better decision.

The important thing is to understand what your farm could realistically sell for before making that decision.

Recent auction results can provide valuable benchmarks, but they shouldn’t be used as a substitute for analyzing the individual property.

Thinking About Selling Iowa Farmland This Fall?

Fall is one of the busiest times of year for farmland auctions, and the 2026 auction season is already shaping up to be an active one.

August saw 10,821 acres auctioned across Iowa, making it the third-highest August for auction volume since 2018. The increase in auction activity is expected to continue into the fall, with auctioneers reporting a strong number of calls from landowners considering auctions.

If you’ve been thinking about selling your Iowa farmland, now is the time to start the conversation. Not after harvest is over and the calendar is already full.

At DreamDirt, we can help you evaluate your property, discuss current market conditions, determine the best strategy for your farm and build a marketing plan designed to put your property in front of qualified farmland buyers.

Ready to Sell?

If you’re ready to make a move, let’s get your auction on the calendar.

We’re currently planning farmland auctions for October through the end of 2026. Starting the process now gives us time to properly prepare your property, develop the marketing campaign and get it in front of buyers before auction day.

Thinking about selling? Contact DreamDirt today to discuss your farm and reserve your auction date.

Jason J Smith

Jason J Smith

Auctioneer & Land Broker

Jason Smith is an experienced farmland broker and auctioneer with extensive experience helping landowners sell farmland across the Midwest. As the founder of DreamDirt and a licensed real estate broker and auctioneer, Jason has worked with hundreds of landowners to navigate farmland sales and create advantageous outcomes.

If you're considering selling farmland, schedule a confidential consultation with Jason to discuss your property, current market conditions and your selling options.

Read Jason's Full Bio Here

Phone: 515-537-6633     Email: Jason@dreamdirt.com

The following table of data includes 80% or more TILLABLE farms that SOLD by auction in August 2026 in Iowa.

DATE COUNTY LAND TYPE SOLD ACRES $ PER ACRE TILLABLE CSR2 TILLABLE ACRES $/TILLABLE CSR2 % TILLABLE $/TILLABLE ACRES TOTAL
08/01/26 Crawford Tillable 77.56 $8,850 65.1 67.36 $157 86.85 $10,190 $686,406
08/01/26 Crawford Tillable 74.49 $9,850 62 70.6 $168 94.78 $10,393 $733,727
08/04/26 Winneshiek Tillable 40.48 $9,700 54.6 33.44 $215 82.61 $11,742 $392,656
08/04/26 Sac Tillable 89.84 $11,250 73.3 88.31 $156 98.30 $11,445 $1,010,700
08/04/26 O'Brien Tillable-Wind Turbine 158.8 $17,700 97.5 154.64 $186 97.38 $18,176 $2,810,760
08/04/26 O'Brien Tillable 92.53 $17,800 91.4 90.22 $200 97.50 $18,256 $1,647,034
08/04/26 O'Brien Tillable 159.76 $18,400 97.7 152.63 $197 95.54 $19,260 $2,939,584
08/04/26 O'Brien Tillable 78.27 $19,000 98 74.94 $202 95.75 $19,844 $1,487,130
08/04/26 O'Brien Tillable 74.68 $21,500 93.2 67.81 $254 90.80 $23,678 $1,605,620
08/05/26 Dickinson Tillable 155 $12,200 80.8 146.63 $160 94.60 $12,896 $1,891,000
08/05/26 Buchanan Tillable 86 $14,200 86.9 80 $176 93.02 $15,265 $1,221,200
08/06/26 Poweshiek Tillable 220.5 $8,900 56.6 206.51 $168 93.66 $9,503 $1,962,450
08/06/26 Dallas Tillable-Farmstead 148 $9,350 79.1 123 $142 83.11 $11,250 $1,383,800
08/06/26 Dallas Tillable 82.44 $10,700 79 79.36 $141 96.26 $11,115 $882,108
08/06/26 Dallas Tillable 78.1 $11,400 81.5 76.1 $144 97.44 $11,700 $890,340
08/06/26 Dallas Tillable 49.5 $12,900 83.4 49 $158 98.99 $13,032 $638,550
08/06/26 Dallas Tillable 81.5 $13,600 75.7 79.36 $185 97.37 $13,967 $1,108,400
08/06/26 Marshall Tillable 88.8 $13,900 95 88 $148 99.10 $14,026 $1,234,320
08/06/26 Dallas Tillable 158.1 $14,000 86 158.1 $163 100.00 $14,000 $2,213,400
08/06/26 Dallas Tillable 47.6 $15,200 82.7 44.6 $196 93.70 $16,222 $723,520
08/06/26 Cherokee Tillable 189.62 $16,000 88.7 182.95 $187 96.48 $16,583 $3,033,920
08/06/26 Hancock Tillable 80 $16,000 87.8 79 $185 98.75 $16,203 $1,280,000
08/07/26 Monona Tillable 149.96 $10,250 75.3 149.96 $136 100.00 $10,250 $1,537,090
08/07/26 Calhoun Tillable 150.52 $12,100 82.3 146.1 $151 97.06 $12,466 $1,821,292
08/07/26 Calhoun Tillable 38.59 $14,500 81.5 37.83 $181 98.03 $14,791 $559,555
08/11/26 Webster Tillable 114.06 $13,500 83.7 114.06 $161 100.00 $13,500 $1,539,810
08/12/26 Ida Tillable 154.9 $13,635 68.8 152 $202 98.13 $13,895 $2,112,062
08/13/26 Decatur Tillable 168.2 $6,500 52.6 154.67 $134 91.96 $7,069 $1,093,300
08/13/26 Clarke Tillable 120.81 $7,100 64 115.12 $116 95.29 $7,451 $857,751
08/13/26 Clarke Tillable 147.32 $7,100 59.3 143.59 $123 97.47 $7,284 $1,045,972
08/13/26 Decatur Tillable 102.55 $9,400 68.2 98.92 $143 96.46 $9,745 $963,970
08/13/26 Decatur Tillable 92 $10,000 67.9 89 $153 96.74 $10,337 $920,000
08/13/26 Decatur Tillable 74.99 $11,100 67.1 70.98 $175 94.65 $11,727 $832,389
08/14/26 Hancock Tillable 158 $10,300 75.7 153.45 $140 97.12 $10,605 $1,627,400
08/14/26 Plymouth Tillable 120 $11,200 56.7 112.22 $211 93.52 $11,976 $1,344,000
08/14/26 Buchanan Tillable 33.75 $11,500 88.9 30.89 $141 91.53 $12,565 $388,125
08/14/26 Plymouth Tillable 80 $11,900 62.7 79.09 $192 98.86 $12,037 $952,000
08/14/26 Floyd Tillable 140 $12,350 90.6 138.92 $137 99.23 $12,446 $1,729,000
08/14/26 Plymouth Tillable 185 $17,100 46.9 181.8 $371 98.27 $17,401 $3,163,500
08/17/26 Fremont Tillable 42.93 $8,300 73.6 37.9 $128 88.28 $9,402 $356,319
08/18/26 Montgomery-Mills Tillable 146.08 $6,900 70.4 135.28 $106 92.61 $7,451 $1,007,952
08/18/26 Montgomery Tillable 273.31 $9,100 74.8 247.1 $135 90.41 $10,065 $2,487,121
08/18/26 Montgomery Tillable 61.55 $9,800 69.4 58.85 $148 95.61 $10,250 $603,190
08/18/26 Montgomery Tillable 115.98 $10,800 76.6 108.8 $150 93.81 $11,513 $1,252,584
08/18/26 Hancock Tillable 82.69 $14,200 87.8 81.78 $164 98.90 $14,358 $1,174,198
08/18/26 Kossuth Tillable 69 $14,400 82.9 66.77 $180 96.77 $14,881 $993,600
08/18/26 Palo Alto Tillable 160 $16,250 85 156.55 $195 97.84 $16,608 $2,600,000
08/19/26 Ringgold CRP-Tillable 80 $6,300 57.8 70.67 $123 88.34 $7,132 $504,000
08/20/26 Crawford Tillable 115.44 $11,500 68 104.5 $187 90.52 $12,704 $1,327,560
08/20/26 Crawford Tillable 232.45 $11,600 69.4 222.37 $175 95.66 $12,126 $2,696,420
08/21/26 Story Tillable 114 $9,900 81.4 95.06 $146 83.39 $11,873 $1,128,600
08/21/26 Plymouth Tillable 80 $14,100 86.9 77.7 $167 97.13 $14,517 $1,128,000
08/21/26 Sac Tillable 73.21 $15,700 79.3 73.01 $199 99.73 $15,743 $1,149,397
08/21/26 Sac Tillable 76.6 $16,100 81.7 76.6 $196 100.00 $16,100 $1,233,260
08/21/26 Sac Tillable 37.03 $16,200 86.9 37.03 $186 100.00 $16,200 $599,886
08/25/26 Johnson Tillable 71.14 $7,700 68.3 68.93 $116 96.89 $7,947 $547,778
08/25/26 Scott Tillable 162 $18,600 91.9 158.5 $207 97.84 $19,011 $3,013,200
08/26/26 Mitchell Tillable 78 $14,200 88.9 78 $157 100.00 $14,200 $1,107,600
08/27/26 Fayette Tillable 108.32 $10,800 84.4 103.46 $134 95.51 $11,307 $1,169,856
08/27/26 Henry Tillable 158.48 $11,000 83 138.96 $151 87.68 $12,545 $1,743,280
08/27/26 Fayette Tillable 43.54 $11,200 85.3 40.74 $140 93.57 $11,970 $487,648
08/27/26 Floyd Tillable 141.11 $11,500 88.7 141.11 $130 100.00 $11,500 $1,622,765
08/27/26 Tama Tillable 74.5 $12,700 88 74.09 $145 99.45 $12,770 $946,150
08/27/26 Tama Tillable 68.7 $12,750 89.4 68.02 $144 99.01 $12,877 $875,925
08/27/26 Tama Tillable 76 $12,800 85.8 76 $149 100.00 $12,800 $972,800
08/28/26 Plymouth Tillable 129.85 $12,500 64.5 106.51 $236 82.03 $15,239 $1,623,125
08/28/26 Benton Tillable 278.86 $13,300 88.5 266.38 $157 95.52 $13,923 $3,708,838
08/29/26 Crawford-Shelby Tillable 201.54 $11,600 66.5 196.81 $179 97.65 $11,879 $2,337,864
08/29/26 Shelby Tillable 136.71 $12,800 69.4 126.93 $199 92.85 $13,786 $1,749,888
08/29/26 Shelby Tillable 39 $13,000 68 39 $188 100.00 $13,000 $507,000
Totals/Averages 7,870.24 $12,422 77.58 7,494.57 $168 95.33 $13,000 $96,919,644

READY TO SELL YOUR IOWA FARMLAND?
October through year-end auction dates are being scheduled now.
Let’s talk about your farm. Call us at 641-423-6400 or email Jason@dreamdirt.com

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