Farmland hits $6,708 statewide average

“This is the highest percentage increase recorded by the survey.” —Mike Duffy ISU farm management economist
AMES (ISU) – Average Iowa farmland value is estimated to be $6,708 per acre, an increase of 32.5 percent from 2010, according to results of the Iowa Land Value Survey conducted in November.
This is the highest percentage increase ever recorded by the Iowa State University annual survey.
The increase matches results of other recent surveys of Iowa farmland value -the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank’s estimated 31 percent increase in Iowa land values and the Iowa Chapter of the Realtors Land Institute’s 12.9 percent increase estimated for six months of 2011. The 2011 values are historical peaks.
“The 2011 land value survey covers one of the most remarkable years in Iowa land value history,” said Mike Duffy, ISU economics professor and Extension farm management economist, who conducts the survey. “This is the highest percentage increase recorded by the survey, and the average land value of $6,708 per acre, when adjusted for inflation, is at an all-time high.” The previous inflation-adjusted high was in 1979.
Scott County, with an estimated $9,223 average value for all farmland, saw the highest percentage increase and highest increase in value, 37.7 percent and $2,524, respectively.
The Northwest Crop Reporting District, which includes O’Brien County, reported the highest land values at $8,338, an increase of $1,983, up 31.2 percent, from 2010.
“This rate of increase in 2011 has led to concerns that farmland may be the next speculative bubble,” said Duffy. “Some people feel farmers are setting themselves up for a fall similar to the 1980s.
“Without a doubt, it’s an interesting time and something to watch, but it isn’t a time to panic.”
Duffy said that examining some of the causes for the current increase in farmland values and the reactions is helpful in assessing the situation.
Farmland values are highly correlated with gross farm income. In 2005, corn prices averaged $1.94 per bushel in Iowa. The preliminary estimated price for November 2011 is $6.05. Soybean prices changed from $5.54 to $11.40 over the same period.
There has been considerable variation in commodity prices over the past few years, but net farm income has increased substantially and is projected to increase even more for 2011.
Duffy said increasing in income has been the primary cause for rising farmland values, but also, “Interest rates are at the lowest level in recent memory.
“Farmland purchased by investors went from 18 percent in 1989 to 39 percent of purchases in 2005, but investor purchases decreased this year to 22 percent.”
Another factor, due to stock market weakness, is people want to put their money into farmland, Duffy said. where else to put their money. The increase in farm income, the changes in investor demand and the changes in investment alternatives have all led to a volatile market. One area where the volatility is revealed is in the number of sales. Land value survey respondents have shown considerable variation over the past few years when queried about the number of sales. Sales decreased considerably in 2009. They improved somewhat in 2010 and based on the results reported in 2011, most people are seeing more sales or at least similar sales in 2011 relative to 2010.
One of the differences is in the use of auctions; respondents noted what appears to be a rapid increase in the use of this method of sale. Preliminary analysis of 2011 sales data shows an increase in price by using an auction. As one respondent said, economics may get the person to the auction but emotion often leads to the purchase.
Duffy believes farmland values should remain strong for the next several months at least. Beyond that there is a fair degree of uncertainty with respect to whether land values can maintain their current levels. The economist said there are several key components to watch:
The amount of debt incurred with land acquisition
Government policies especially policies related to energy
What happens to input costs land being the residual claimant to any excess profits in agriculture
The performance of the overall economy, especially with respect to income
Government monetary policies as they relate to inflation and interest rates
The performance of the U.S. economy and economies throughout the world which impact commodity prices, which in turn impact land values
Weather related problems both here and around the world
Overview of 2011 Iowa land values
While the highest county land values were reported in O’Brien County, Decatur County had the distinction for the second year in a row as having the lowest reported land value, $2,721 per acre, and the lowest dollar increase, $636. Washington County had the lowest percentage increase, 28.2 percent, with a reported $7,166 average value.
Low grade land in the state averaged $4,257 per acre and showed a 26.8 percent increase or $900 per acre, while medium grade land averaged $6,256 per acre; high grade land averaged $8,198 per acre. The lowest land value and smallest percentage increase were estimated in the south central crop reporting district, $3,407 and 26.7 percent respectively. The southwest crop reporting district reported a 36.5 percent increase, the highest district percentage reported. Maps showing 2011 values, percentage change and comparisons to 2010 data and additional information from Duffy are available at HYPERLINK ““http://www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/landvalue”>www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/landvalue“ \o “www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/landvalue“ www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/landvalue.
The Iowa Land Value Survey was initiated in 1941 and is sponsored by the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Iowa State University. Only the state average and the district averages are based directly on the ISU survey data. The county estimates are derived using a procedure that combines survey results with data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture.
The survey is based on reports by licensed real estate brokers and selected individuals considered knowledgeable of land market conditions. The 2011 survey is based on 487 usable responses providing 642 county land value estimates. The survey is intended to provide information on general land value trends, geographical land price relationships and factors influencing the Iowa land market. It is not intended to provide an estimate for any particular piece of property.