March 2026 Southern Minnesota Farmland Market Update
Market Snapshot
- Buyer demand remains strong for farms with productive soils and good drainage
- High-quality farms continue to bring stable prices
- Farms with challenges are showing more variation in results
- Several farmland auctions are scheduled across Southern Minnesota before spring planting
- Buyer demand for hunting and recreational land remains steady, though available inventory is limited
What We’re Seeing in the Market
Farmland activity across southern Minnesota has remained steady through the winter months. We currently have five auctions scheduled before spring planting along with additional listings currently available.
Buyer interest continues to focus on farms with strong characteristics including good soils, established drainage, and open field configuration.
The Kruse Estate auction, highlighted later in this article, reflects something we’re seeing more often right now, which is results can vary quite a bit depending on the individual farm. Farms with strong characteristics continue to perform well, while farms with layout challenges or other limitations tend to see a wider range of results.
We’re also seeing continued interest from buyers looking for hunting and recreational land, although available inventory remains limited.
Looking at the broader agricultural markets, corn prices have seen some recent support as input costs for fuel and fertilizer have increased. Global uncertainty, including the conflict with Iran, has contributed to higher production costs for fertilizers. Markets will continue to watch how these factors influence both commodity prices and farm profitability through the growing season.
What This Means for Landowners
The current market continues to present solid opportunities for landowners considering a sale, particularly for farms with strong production characteristics.
At the same time, every farm is different. Soil productivity, drainage, field configuration, local buyer demand, and the goals of the landowner all influence how a farm will perform in today’s market.
That’s why the first step is usually taking a close look at the property and the local market before deciding whether an auction, listing, or private sale approach makes the most sense.
If you’d ever like to talk through your farm or get a sense of what it might bring in today’s market, feel free to reach out.
FEATURED AUCTION RESULT
Jeanette Kruse Estate & Charles Kruse Estate
Auction — Blue Earth County, Minnesota
The Kruse farm was offered in five parcels with
several combination options, allowing buyers to
compete on individual tracts or combine parcels.
Parcels 1 & 2 — 113.71± Acres (sold together)
Both tracts had productive soils and established
tile drainage with private mains. Parcel 1 included a drainage ditch and just under 15 acres enrolled in CRP. Parcel 2 was a 40-acre tract with a mostly square configuration.
Sold for $10,506 per deeded acre.
Parcel 3 — 44.9± Acres
This tract surrounded a building site and had a drainage ditch running through it. While the soils were good and the farm had tile drainage, the field configuration was less efficient.
Sold for $6,936 per deeded acre.
Parcels 4 & 5 — 224.24± Acres (sold together)
Contiguous tracts with productive soils, strong field configuration, and pattern tile drainage.
Sold for $13,056 per deeded acre.
