USDA: Land Values Up 4.3% in 2025

OMAHA (DTN) -- The value of all agricultural real estate continues to increase, rising an average of 4.3% this year to $4,350 per acre, USDA reported Friday.

The average cropland value nationally reached $5,830 an acre, up 4.7% from 2024.

The average value of pasture was $1,920 an acre, up 4.9% from a year ago.

USDA on Friday released its annual Land Values Summary report. The average value includes the value of both the land and buildings on farms.

To compile the Land Values Summary, USDA used a sample of 28,475 operations. All agricultural producers in the sample were contacted and recorded land value information for all the cropland and pasture they operate. Information was also collected on the value of buildings for a producer's operation. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) field offices then conducted an analysis of the information and estimated land values, and their assessments were sent to the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB) for independent review. Regional and national estimates were weighted by the amount of cropland and pasture in each state, based on the most recent Census of Agriculture, NASS explained in the report.

Every state reported increases in overall farmland land value. Michigan had the highest increase in land value at 7.8%; Tennessee at 7.7%; South Dakota at 6.8%; and Ohio, Texas and Utah each at 6.1%.

Average farmland values ranged from a low of $725 an acre in New Mexico to $22,500 in Rhode Island.

CROPLAND VALUES

Utah's cropland value increased 9.7%, the highest rate in the country; Michigan at 8.2%; Tennessee at 7.8%; Minnesota at 7%; and Oklahoma at 6.9%.

In the Corn Belt, the average value of cropland ranged from $5,150 per acre in Missouri to $10,300 per acre in Iowa. Ohio cropland values increased 5.2%; Iowa, 5.1%; Missouri, 4.9%; Indiana, 4.8%; and Illinois, 3.1%.

In the Northern Plains, cropland ranged from $2,710 an acre in North Dakota up to $6,800 an acre in Nebraska. South Dakota cropland values increased 6%; Kansas and North Dakota at 4.2%; and Nebraska cropland values rose 4%.

The Land Values report also breaks down differences in cropland value for irrigated and non-irrigated land. In Florida, for instance, irrigated cropland is valued at $12,400 an acre, which is $3,400 higher than non-irrigated land. In Nebraska, irrigated cropland is valued at $8,850 an acre, which is $3,250 higher than non-irrigated ground.

PASTURELAND VALUES

Pasture values increased in every state but at lower rates than in 2024. Last year, USDA reported double-digit gains in value in five states.

This year, the highest increase in pasture value was seen in the Northern Plains states, with North Dakota showing an 8.6% increase; Kansas, 8.1%; and Nebraska, 7.9%. In the Corn Belt, Illinois reported a 5.8% increase.

Pasture values averaged $946 an acre across Mountain states while reaching an average of $5,720 an acre across the Southeast.

LAND VALUES OF TOP TEN AG STATES

The overall farm real-estate values of the top 10 states for agricultural production based on crops and livestock cash receipts:

1. California, $13,700 per acre, up 2.2%.

2. Iowa, $9,790 per acre, up 3.9%.

3. Nebraska, $4,250 per acre, up 4.2%.

4. Texas, $2,970 per acre, up 6.1%.

5. Illinois, $8,930 per acre, up 2.6%.

6. Minnesota, $6,790 per acre, up 5.3%.

7. Kansas, $3,100 per acre, up 4.2%.

8. Indiana, $8,850 per acre, up 4%.

9. North Carolina, $5,470 per acre, up 5.4%.

10. Wisconsin, $6,420 per acre, up 4.9%.

To see the full report, go to www.nass.usda.gov.

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com

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