Cropland Prices Dip Slightly

Average cropland value in the U.S. dropped 1 percent in 2016, the first drop since 2009, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average cropland value per acre stood at a high of $4,130 in 2015 and dipped to $4,090 this year.

In 2006, when corn, soybean and wheat prices began moving to what looked like a new average, the average cropland price was $2,300 per acre.

States showing the biggest increase in cropland value were Georgia (7.9 percent), Oregon (5 percent), Washington (4.9 percent), Louisiana, (4.8 percent), and Wisconsin (4.3 percent).

States showing the greatest decrease in cropland value were Kansas (7.2 percent), North Dakota (6.5 percent), Nebraska (4.3 percent), South Dakota (5.6 percent), and North Carolina (3.2 percent).

The average farm real estate value of $3,010 per acre fell by $10 from 2015. The value of pasture remains $1,330 an acre.