The 2025 harvest is off to an early and efficient start as most farmers in our area have completed harvesting soybeans and have started picking corn. Many have finished soybeans in record time this year due to dry conditions and timely maturity. Harvest reports that I’ve heard have been anywhere from average to above-average yields, with most producers happy with their crop so far.
The biggest difference-maker in yields that I’ve heard of this year has been the timely application of fungicide on corn, with reports of 20- to 30-bushel-per-acre increases in yields for those who elected for one to two applications.
Positive crop reports are just one seasonal factor that can affect land values, but it is always a good feeling when our largest group of buyers has a better-than-average supply of commodities to sell, even if prices aren’t above par.
The most recent concerning news that may affect values coming into the fall land market is the newest tariff uncertainty between the U.S. and China. In the short term, farmland buyers may feel less confident about making a purchase when uncertainty and negativity swirl around trade policy.
Last year, we saw a similar cycle of tariff uncertainty that led to a tough land sale environment in the first part of 2025, followed by a round of assistance to farmers that resulted in a strong spring. Currently, we are in the midst of a federal government shutdown, which has brought talks of another wave of assistance to a standstill. While there may still be help on the way that provides relief from poor commodity markets, the uncertainty at the moment does not instill confidence.
Another consequence of the shutdown is that Farm Service Agency offices have been on furlough, rendering farm buyers unable to move forward with Beginning Farmer loan programs, among other things. Currently, we are working on one sale that involves FSA financing. While all parties involved feel confident that that loan program will eventually come through for us on this transaction, we are having to plan for a possible closing delay that is outside of our control.
As far as our latest observations regarding land sales are concerned, strong buyers are still coming to the table with offers and bids that are falling within our expectations. While the strong sales at this time are reserved for the highest quality parcels, the land market has yet to see a significant decline despite many farmer buyers lacking confidence in the short term. For now, here are a few recent sales:
Blue Earth County. East of Lake Crystal, approximately 76.38 acres sold for $14,702 per acre, or $14,756 per tillable acre. The farm consists of 76.1 tillable acres with a Crop Productivity Index of 97.
Brown County. West of Hanska, approximately 70.4 acres sold for $10,900 per acre, or $11,794 per tillable acre. The farm consists of 65.06 tillable acres with a CPI of 92.6.
Dodge County. South of West Concord, approximately 153.1 acres sold for $14,500 per acre, or $14,831 per tillable acre. The farm consists of 149.68 tillable acres with a CPI of 94.
Houston County. South of Spring Grove, approximately 95 acres sold for $10,000 per acre, or $12,459 per tillable acre. The farm consists of 76.25 tillable acres with a CPI of 73.1.
Martin County. Northwest of Sherburn, approximately 40 acres sold for $12,000 per acre, or $12,152 per tillable acre. The farm consists of 39.5 tillable acres with a CPI of 91.3.
Mower County. East of Austin, approximately 155.54 acres sold for $12,807 per acre, or $13,503 per tillable acre. The farm consists of 147.52 tillable acres with a CPI of 94.2.
Murray County. South of Chandler, approximately 39.16 acres sold for $12,768 per acre, or $12,890 per tillable acre. The farm consists of 38.79 tillable acres with a CPI of 93.3.
Waseca County. South of Morristown, approximately 154.28 acres sold for $13,200 per acre, or $13,447 per tillable acre. The farm consists of 151.44 tillable acres with a CPI of 93.
Hertz Farm Management compiled this list but did not handle all sales. Call Hertz at 507-345-5263 or visit hertz.ag.