Agricultural land values across the Upper Midwest are showing remarkable resilience, with recent auction results highlighting the market's continued strength. From Burke County farmland bringing $3,400 per acre to an exceptional Emmons County property fetching $7,500 per acre, today's buyers are proving willing to pay premium prices for quality land.

The pattern is clear throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota – premium cropland continues to command top dollar while more marginal properties sell for predictably lower values. This growing price disparity reveals how sophisticated agricultural investors have become in evaluating productivity potential, soil quality, and long-term value. In Wells County, quality cropland sold for $3,100 per acre while nearby pasture land brought $1,250, perfectly illustrating this market dynamic.

Even more impressive has been the extraordinary machinery market we're witnessing this spring. Four-wheel drive tractors remain the stars of equipment auctions, with well-maintained units bringing stellar prices. A John Deere 9560R with 2,500 hours sold for $240,000 at our Bowman consignment sale, while a 2015 model 9620R with similar hours fetched $275,000 at a farm retirement auction.

The transportation segment has been particularly remarkable, with semi-trailers reaching unprecedented values. A 2012 Wilson grain trailer recently sold for $50,000, and even older cattle trailers from the late 1990s are bringing $30,000 to $50,000. This reflects both limited new inventory and the essential nature of these assets for agricultural operations.

Looking ahead, we highlight several exciting opportunities for buyers, including a 3,000-acre working ranch auction in Golden Valley County on May 8th and an extraordinary 840-acre property in Custer County with direct views of Mount Rushmore coming up in July. Whether you're a farmer expanding operations, an investor seeking agricultural assets, or someone dreaming of your own piece of the Black Hills, these upcoming sales offer rare opportunities to acquire exceptional properties.

Join us each week for the latest insights on land and equipment markets across the region, and visit Pifers.com to explore our complete inventory of upcoming auctions and past results.

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Step into the fast-paced world of agricultural auctions with this engaging conversation between host Jim Sabby and special guest Cliff Sanders, a veteran livestock auctioneer who recently joined the Pifer's team. Their friendship spans decades, beginning at auctioneer school in Mankato, Minnesota, where both men stood out wearing cowboy hats among their classmates.

The auction market remains remarkably strong despite economic uncertainties. A recent Fent tractor sold for $395,000, highlighting how premium equipment still commands top dollar. The podcast showcases several upcoming sales, including the Sheely auction in Drake featuring pristine 2017-2019 John Deere equipment that was professionally maintained and stored indoors. Another upcoming sale in Mandan features a 2012 Bobcat with just 35 hours – virtually new despite its age.

Sanders brings a distinctive livestock auctioneer's cadence to machinery sales, maintaining the faster pace that livestock auctioneers are known for. His territory covers eastern North Dakota, including the Devil's Lake region where he previously worked at the auction barn. Throughout the conversation, both auctioneers emphasize that live auctions with online bidding consistently outperform online-only formats, drawing buyers from across North America.

The social dimension of auctions emerges as a central theme. As Albert Roerick from Pifer's Steel location explains, "Building relationships is the main thing with all the sellers, buyers." These relationships extend beyond individual sales, with auctioneers often connecting buyers with specific equipment they're seeking. In rural communities, auctions serve as gathering places where neighbors reconnect, highlighting their importance beyond just commerce.

Join us to discover why quality farm equipment continues to bring strong prices, how the hybrid auction model maximizes returns, and why the personal connections forged at rural auctions remain irreplaceable in our increasingly digital world. Check out Piferscom for upcoming sales across the Upper Midwest!

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Farming isn't just about what you grow above ground—it's also about what lies beneath. The fertility of your soil could be worth thousands in tax savings through a little-known provision that's been hiding in plain sight for over 60 years.

Stephanie Scherbinski from Arthur Companies joins us to unpack Section 180 of the IRS tax code, a powerful tax strategy allowing farmers to depreciate soil nutrients when purchasing farmland. While farmers have long been able to depreciate equipment, buildings, and improvements, the land itself has traditionally offered few tax advantages—until now.

We explore how this overlooked tax provision works in practice. When you purchase farmland, comprehensive soil testing can identify valuable nutrients—from nitrogen and phosphorus to zinc and boron—that represent a depreciable asset. The numbers are striking: farmers in the Red River Valley are seeing deduction values of $1,800-$1,900 per acre, while those in central North Dakota average around $1,200 per acre. On a quarter section of land, that could mean tax savings approaching $100,000 for farmers in higher tax brackets.

Stephanie walks us through who qualifies (active farmers, inherited land) and who doesn't (gifted land), while addressing common questions about the process. Unlike some tax strategies, Section 180 can be utilized repeatedly as land changes hands through inheritance, creating multi-generational tax advantages for farm families.

As land prices continue to climb and margins tighten, this tax strategy could be the competitive edge farmers need when expanding operations or helping the next generation get started. Whether you purchased land recently or years ago, Section 180 might be the financial tool you've been overlooking.

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The agricultural land market is defying conventional wisdom. Despite economic headwinds and rising interest rates, farmland values are reaching unprecedented levels across the Midwest, with premium soils commanding exceptional prices at recent auctions.

A Clay County farm recently sold near $9,000 per acre while Lamoure County land exceeded $7,000 per crop acre - both representing some of the strongest results ever seen in their respective markets. What's driving these remarkable numbers? The answer lies primarily in soil quality. Properties featuring loam-based soils continue attracting intense competition from both neighboring farmers and outside investors who recognize the long-term productivity such land offers.

Tax planning has become increasingly critical for landowners contemplating a sale. Many current sellers purchased their land decades ago for a fraction of today's values, creating potential tax liabilities that require careful consideration. Proactive strategies like 1031 tax-deferred exchanges can help manage these implications effectively. Without proper planning, tax obligations can substantially reduce net proceeds from even the most successful auction.

On the rental front, rates have generally maintained stability across the Northern Plains despite some downward pressure from current commodity prices. The pastureland rental market has been particularly strong, supported by healthy cattle prices and continued demand for quality grazing opportunities. This rental stability further reinforces investor confidence in farmland as a reliable income-producing asset.

Looking ahead to spring, an impressive lineup of equipment auctions features several notable retirement sales with exceptionally well-maintained machinery. These sales present valuable opportunities for producers looking to upgrade their operations without the premium costs of new equipment.

Despite various challenges facing agriculture today, professionals remain cautiously optimistic about both land values and farming opportunities. Their advice: stay focused on operational excellence and long-term planning rather than becoming distracted by short-term market volatility or political noise. Those who approach the market with patience, prudence, and a commitment to quality management will likely continue to see farmland demonstrate its enduring value.

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The agricultural land market demonstrates remarkable resilience in early 2024, despite ongoing concerns about tariffs, interest rates, and commodity price fluctuations. In this information-packed episode, we dive deep into current farmland trends with special guest Jim Rothermich, "The Iowa Land Guy," who tracks every land auction in Iowa and provides crucial market insights.

Rothermich reveals that Northwest Iowa continues to see premium farmland prices exceeding $20,000 per acre, driven primarily by local producers rather than outside investors. This producer-dominated market reflects the strategic importance of land acquisition beyond simple ROI calculations—farmers recognize that expansion opportunities may be once-in-a-lifetime chances. Despite rising interest rates reducing the buyer pool somewhat, most transactions still involve significant cash positions from farmers with strong balance sheets.

The conversation shifts to recent auction results across several states, showcasing the tremendous range in current land values. From recreational properties selling for $3,800/acre in Pembina County, North Dakota, to premium farmland reaching $12,500/acre in Brown County, Minnesota, and multi-parcel offerings near Moorhead bringing $9,600/acre, the market demonstrates continued strength across diverse property types.

Hosts Steve Link and Andy Murdock share exciting details about upcoming auctions, including a 3,000-acre ranch property in Golden Valley County and a unique 840-acre offering near Custer State Park in South Dakota featuring parcels with direct views of Mount Rushmore. The episode provides valuable perspective on market trends, buyer motivations, and what both sellers and purchasers should consider in today's dynamic land market.

Discover why agricultural real estate continues to attract strong interest despite economic headwinds, and gain insights that could help you make more informed decisions about your land assets. Visit piferscom to explore complete details on upcoming land and equipment auctions mentioned in this episode.

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The heartbeat of southwest North Dakota pulses through the iconic white grain elevators of the Scranton Equity Exchange. For 110 years, this cooperative has adapted, evolved, and expanded to remain the cornerstone of its community—a testament to rural resilience in an ever-changing agricultural landscape.

General Manager Ben Hetzel takes us behind the scenes of this remarkable operation that stretches far beyond a typical grain elevator. From its robust feed plant that once defined the company to its modern grocery store, C-stores, lumber yard, and truck shop, the Scranton Equity embodies the diverse needs of the communities it serves. What truly sets this cooperative apart is its forward-thinking approach to agricultural services, especially evident in its recently completed 24,000-ton fertilizer storage facility.

The fertilizer plant represents a quantum leap from the days of 50-pound bags of Elephant Brand fertilizer unloaded manually from rail cars. Today's automated system allows for precision blending in seconds, delivering higher quality products with greater efficiency. This forward-thinking investment allows the cooperative to ship fertilizer as far as the Canadian border and deep into Montana, turning Scranton into a hub for agricultural inputs across the Northern Plains.

Looking ahead, the horizon of Scranton is set to change again with plans for a new slip elevator and additional dump pits designed to improve traffic flow and accommodate the increasingly diverse crop mix grown in southwest North Dakota. From traditional wheat and durum to newer crops like corn, canola, and pulses, the cooperative continues to evolve with its producer-members.

What makes the story of Scranton Equity particularly compelling is how it balances technological advancement with community service—maintaining vital services like its beloved bakery and meat department while investing in cutting-edge agricultural technology. It's a formula that has sustained this cooperative for over a century and positions it for generations to come. Discover how rural businesses can thrive by embracing change while honoring their community roots.

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North Dakota stands at the crossroads of agricultural evolution, with livestock diversification emerging as a powerful economic driver for farms across the state. In this revealing conversation with Amber Wood of the North Dakota Livestock Alliance, we uncover how this relatively young organization (established 2017) is reshaping the future of animal agriculture across the Peace Garden State.

For a state dominated by crop production and beef cattle, the potential for dairy, swine, and poultry expansion represents an untapped frontier. Amber shares the remarkable story of two proposed dairy operations that could literally transform the industry overnight - a 12,500-cow facility near Abercrombie and a 24,000-cow operation near Hillsboro. Together, these projects would triple North Dakota's current dairy population, potentially attracting processing infrastructure that has been steadily disappearing from the region. This chicken-and-egg dilemma of needing processors to support farmers while processors need sufficient volume to justify investment highlights the delicate balance required for agricultural growth.

Beyond the economics of scale, we explore how livestock integration enhances land value through what Amber playfully calls "number two being number one" - the profound impact of manure on soil health. Beyond providing the basic NPK nutrients, livestock waste delivers micronutrients, organic matter, and moisture retention capacity that commercial fertilizers simply cannot match. This natural enhancement creates a virtuous cycle where crops feed animals and animals nourish the soil.

The NDLA offers a suite of services that remove barriers for producers considering livestock diversification. From free site analyses examining everything from power availability to road infrastructure, to guiding farmers through complex permitting processes that can span hundreds of pages of documentation, they provide the expertise many landowners simply don't possess. We also touch on current challenges facing livestock producers, including the recent spread of avian influenza into dairy herds and the promising developments in vaccination technology that could help control its spread.

Whether you're a crop producer considering diversification, a current livestock operator looking to expand, or simply curious about the future of North Dakota agriculture, this conversation illuminates the tremendous potential waiting to be unlocked. Connect with the North Dakota Livestock Alliance at ndlivestock.org to explore how livestock might fit into your agricultural operation.

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Join us as we dive deep into the current dynamics of the beef industry with Julie Ellingson, the Executive Vice President of the North Dakota Stockman's Association. With high demand for beef juxtaposed with recent drought challenges, we unravel the complexities of this sector that is more vital than ever to local economies and beyond. Julie brings her expert knowledge to discuss the impact of recent legislation, particularly concerning property taxes, and how they affect ranchers. Hear about the innovative strategies the Stockman's Association is employing in response to recent wildfires with their "Out of the Ashes" disaster relief initiative.

We also tackle broader trends influencing consumer choices between beef and its substitutes, offering a glimpse into the future of the beef market. Through enhanced promotional efforts and agricultural education, the beef industry continues to adapt and thrive. This episode is an insightful look into the trials and triumphs that characterize today’s ranching landscape, a must-listen for anyone interested in agriculture's evolving role.

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Contact the team at Pifer's