If you’ve been on the hunt for farmland, but aren’t sure where to start searching, you might want to take a look at the 2017 Farmland Values report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The annual report, released on August 3, showed an average increase in 2017 farmland values. The U.S. farm real estate (farmland and buildings) value averaged $3,080 per acre, a significant increase from last year’s value at $70 per acre (2.3 percent).

The highest farm real estate values were seen in the states of California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island at over $8,400 per acre. The Mountain region (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) had the lowest average values at $1,130 per acre. But the biggest drop was in South Dakota, down 3.1 percent to $2,180 an acre.

Cropland values across the country stayed at $4,090 per acre from the last year, while the Southern Plains region (Oklahoma and Texas) had an increase of 6 percent. The report also provided data on the nation’s pasture values, showing an increase of 1.5 percent from 2016 at $20 per acre. The biggest dip in pasture values was seen in the Corn Belt region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio) at 1.7 percent.

Remember that with any price average, values can range significantly. Our land professionals are committed to helping you find farmland within your budget. Take a look at our farmland listings to see what we offer across the country.