Sioux County Land Auction Shatters Iowa Farmland Record at $32,000 Per Acre

Dec 04, 2025
By Farms.com

Iowa Farm sets new benchmark for premium farmland as demand stays strong despite cooling market trends

Farmland values in reached a new milestone as Zomer Company Realty & Auction facilitated a record-breaking sale in Sioux County, Iowa. The 35.5-acre tract, featuring 22 tillable acres and a higher-than-average CSR2 soil rating, sold for an astonishing $32,000 per acre on behalf of seller Audrey J. Gesink.

This sale surpasses the previous Sioux County record of $30,000 per acre set in November 2022, reaffirming the strong demand for premium agricultural land—even as broader market conditions show signs of cooling.

It was a small parcel of farmland, but record-breaking prices nonetheless.

Market Context
Throughout 2025, U.S. farm real estate values continued their upward trajectory, though at a slower pace compared to previous years. According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) (released in August), agricultural real estate values rose by 4.3%, or $180 per acre, bringing the national average to $4,350 per acre. This marks the fifth consecutive annual increase, following a 5% rise between 2023 and 2024.

Cash rent values for cropland also hit a record $161 per acre, while pastureland rents held steady at $16 per acre. However, higher interest rates and weaker commodity prices have tempered buyer aggressiveness, signaling a more cautious market overall.

Despite these headwinds, the Sioux County auction demonstrates that quality farmland remains a prized asset. Strong soil ratings, location advantages, and long-/term value continue to drive competitive bidding among farmer-buyers.

As the agricultural sector navigates shifting economic conditions, this record-breaking sale serves as a reminder: premium farmland commands premium prices.

Video: Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

When was the last time you read the label on your honey?

We spent a day at Molenkamp Honey Farms with Michael Molenkamp, who has been keeping bees for 17 seasons and runs three to four thousand hives. In mid-September, he was finishing treatments and getting his bees ready for winter, and he walked us through how Alberta honey gets made.

Alberta has just 150 commercial beekeepers running 300,000 colonies, and together they produce 40% of Canada’s honey. Long summer days and golden canola fields give Alberta honey a light flavour that’s hard to match anywhere else.

Molenkamp calls Alberta beekeepers some of the most resilient farmers he knows. There’s plenty of Alberta honey to go around, but a lot on our shelves isn’t from here, so his ask is simple. Give the label a second look and choose honey made by Alberta beekeepers, or buy straight from a beekeeper near you.