Farmland values across the state are trending upwards, but industry leaders say they are still a long ways off the record prices of five years ago. A recent study released by Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha reviewed sale information and appraisals from 21 Iowa farms, shows a slight increase of 1.8 percent.
An Iowa State University study, conducted in December of last year mirrors those results, showing a modest 2 percent increase in crop values, giving the state an average value of $7,326 an acre. Realtor Betty Hansen says the problem isn’t rising values, which is still lower than the record prices farm ground commanded a few years ago, it’s demand. Hansen, a realtor in Chariton has been in the real estate business for more than 25 years. Working out of her office on the square in Chariton, Hansen and her staff of five have weathered the ups and downs for the real estate market for more than two decades. In years past, her goal was to maintain 24 active listings, now she has only one active listing.