Latest News From Land

Antler Madness: Deer Shed Thieves Poach Farmland, Private Property
Antler Madness: Deer Shed Thieves Poach Farmland, Private Property

Lust or greed, trespassers are drawn to farmland by deer sheds. Private property is no barrier to a shed thief.

Metal Detecting Addict Finds Buried Treasure Under Farmland
Metal Detecting Addict Finds Buried Treasure Under Farmland

Crackle, whine, beep, and buzz, Andy Thaxton metal detects farmland, hunting coins, keys, bullets, bells—and one more holy grail.

Is Foreign Farmland Ownership Putting The Future At Risk In The ‘Land Of The Free’?
Is Foreign Farmland Ownership Putting The Future At Risk In The ‘Land Of The Free’?

Steve Cubbage explores the true intentions behind foreign land ownership, and if it could be planting seeds of risk for our food security and national security.

Which Foreign Country Owns the Most Farmland in the U.S.? Hint: It's Not China
Which Foreign Country Owns the Most Farmland in the U.S.? Hint: It's Not China

In October 2023, Arkansas became the first state to ban foreign-owned farmland. More states look to adopt similar laws, but one policy expert says the issue is rooted in politics and warns of unintended consequences.

Government Seizes Control of Rancher’s Land for Endangered Bug Habitat
Government Seizes Control of Rancher’s Land for Endangered Bug Habitat

The government seized control of John Yearwood’s ranchland in the name of a tiny bug. “There is no shame in Washington,” he says.

Lost and Found: Bottle Hunter Digs Extraordinary Farmland Treasures
Lost and Found: Bottle Hunter Digs Extraordinary Farmland Treasures

Tom Askjem disappears under farmland, descends to depths of 13’-plus, and returns to the surface with treasure—bottles and glassware from agriculture’s past.

Look Out Iowa! Cropland Auction Sets Fresh Record in North Dakota
Look Out Iowa! Cropland Auction Sets Fresh Record in North Dakota

North Dakota auction company announces new record-high land sale for cropland in the northeast corner of the state at $17,500 per acre, while in Iowa farmland sales are starting to cool off.

How Have Cropland Values Changed from 2022?
How Have Cropland Values Changed from 2022?

“People sometimes refer to farmland as an investment in gold, plus a coupon,” Bruce Sherrick says. “You get a fairly low annual cash flow, fairly high long-term rates of return and tax advantages to the asset classes.”

John Phipps: Why Water is the New Oil for Landowners
John Phipps: Why Water is the New Oil for Landowners

John Phipps says there are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S. He thinks it's a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.

Senate Votes to Limit Foreign Land Ownership
Senate Votes to Limit Foreign Land Ownership

Roughly 37.6 million acres of U.S. ag land is foreign owned, according to USDA. However, select purchases of U.S. land could come to an end following a Senate vote this week.

New Farmland Bill Would Create a Public Database for Foreign Land Ownership
New Farmland Bill Would Create a Public Database for Foreign Land Ownership

The Farmland Security Act of 2023 seeks to further boost transparency in foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.

U.S. Committee Proposes New Roadblock for Foreign Land Ownership
U.S. Committee Proposes New Roadblock for Foreign Land Ownership

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) introduced an act to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting U.S. land near security sites, and would push a review of current ownership in these areas.

High-Quality Farmland Is Still Inching Up In Price Across 18 States
High-Quality Farmland Is Still Inching Up In Price Across 18 States

A mid-year report from Farmers National shows land values are increasing by single digits instead of the double digits common in 2021-22. But the company says it has a strong roster of listings headed into late summer.

Scrutiny of Land Purchases by Foreigners Proposed in New Bill
Scrutiny of Land Purchases by Foreigners Proposed in New Bill

Under the bill, the USDA and the FDA would become members of CFIUS and their powers would be expanded to better consider ag needs when it decides if a purchase would create national security risks.

Supreme Court Rules Against EPA in WOTUS Case
Supreme Court Rules Against EPA in WOTUS Case

Court Justice Samuel Alito said the EPA's interpretation of its powers went "too far."

Small-Town Bank CEOs are Cautiously Optimistic, says Rural Mainstreet Index Survey
Small-Town Bank CEOs are Cautiously Optimistic, says Rural Mainstreet Index Survey

Despite the positive sentiment, local community bankers report concerns about lower commodity prices, the ‘big bank mess’ and another potential rate hike in June by the Fed.

Want to Grow Your Farm? Ask These 10 Questions First
Want to Grow Your Farm? Ask These 10 Questions First

More than 50% of farmers intend to grow their operation, based on responses in Purdue’s February 2023 Ag Economy Barometer. If you’re thinking about scaling your farm, it’s important to first ask these questions.

US Treasury Dept. Moves to Limit Foreign Land Purchases Near Military Bases
US Treasury Dept. Moves to Limit Foreign Land Purchases Near Military Bases

The Office of Investment Security proposed a rule on Friday that would require foreign entities to garner U.S. government approval before they are able to purchase land within 100 miles of eight military bases.

Missouri Moves to Tighten Reins On Foreign Land Ownership
Missouri Moves to Tighten Reins On Foreign Land Ownership

The Missouri Senate on Wednesday backed a plan to amend the state's foreign land ownership threshold. The bill also includes a provision that would limit foreign countries from acquiring farmland in Missouri by Sept. 1.

How Many Farms Are in the U.S.?
How Many Farms Are in the U.S.?

Total land in farms decreased 1.9 million acres to 893,400,000 acres in 2022 versus 2021. Here is other noteworthy farmland data, courtesy of USDA’s Farms and Land in Farms 2022 Summary. 

Who's Really Behind All These Record Farmland Sales?
Who's Really Behind All These Record Farmland Sales?

Farmers National Company released its 2023 land values report this week, showing land sold at auctions set records in several states with values across Corn Belt States seeing a year-to-year increase between 20% and 34%.

When to Sell Your Farmland
When to Sell Your Farmland

If development surrounds your farmland and you are feeling pressured to make a decision, here's what to consider before you shake hands with a buyer.

Paige Carlson
The Hit Series “Yellowstone” and Its Ironic Truth

Although the hit series highlights the struggle of the Dutton ranch fighting to maintain a family legacy, a rather ironic story truth surfaces and an unfortunate reality hits home.

Foreign Farmland Ownership to be Addressed in New Study
Foreign Farmland Ownership to be Addressed in New Study

House Republicans asked the General Accountability Office to conduct a study on U.S. lands owned by foreign entities. The letter was signed by scores of other House Republicans.

U.S. Cropland Cash Rents Hit All-Time High
U.S. Cropland Cash Rents Hit All-Time High

For 2022, the national average for cash rents on cropland is $148 per acre. That’s up $7 from last year and eclipsed the previous high of 2015’s $144 per acre.

China's Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk
China's Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk

Fufeng Group recently bought 300 acres of land in North Dakota and the proximity to a U.S. military base has many concerned. But this isn’t the first time questions have been raised about China’s stake in the U.S.

John Phipps: Is the U.S. Running Out of Farmland?
John Phipps: Is the U.S. Running Out of Farmland?

John Phipps breaks down the 900 million acres of farmland in the U.S. by land use and answers a looming question about if the U.S. has enough farmland to feed America.

Hunting Club Lawsuit Challenges Power of Government Surveillance on Private Land
Hunting Club Lawsuit Challenges Power of Government Surveillance on Private Land

How much power do game wardens possess without a warrant or probable cause? A hunting club lawsuit is heating up over the bounds of government access to private land.

Texas rural land values rose again in 2016, marking six consecutive years of increases, according to data gathered by the Texas Real Estate Center (REC) and Texas A&M University.
White House Will Recruit Rural Land For New Clean Energy Projects, Could it Create Too Much Competition for Land?

The Biden Administration is deploying money and resources to ramp up clean energy projects across rural America. The White House says the plan taps federal lands to install wind, solar and geothermal energy projects.

Farmers Saw Biden's 30x30 Plan As A 'Land Grab,' Here's Why You No Longer Hear About It
Farmers Saw Biden's 30x30 Plan As A 'Land Grab,' Here's Why You No Longer Hear About It

AFBF President Zippy Duvall told members this week he will continue to press for policy that progresses agriculture, citing AFBF's work on changes to the White House's "America the Beautiful" plan as an example.

How High Can Farmland Prices Go?
How High Can Farmland Prices Go?

Prepare for a dynamic farmland market in 2022.

NCBA Warns Listing Lesser Prairie-Chicken as Endangered Could Harm Conservation Partnerships
NCBA Warns Listing Lesser Prairie-Chicken as Endangered Could Harm Conservation Partnerships

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing to list the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act. The chicken's habitat spans parts of five states, including Colorado, Kansas and Texas.

2018’s Top Ranch Sales

Several large ranches changed hands this year, each offering a unique opportunity to invest in ranch life. See our coverage of these top listings from 2018.

KBCarterRanch
$51-Million KB Carter Ranch For Sale in Texas

The 15,000-acre property includes a 3,500-cattle herd with capacity for 10,000 stockers, 2,000-acres of cropland, a private airstrip, oil and gas rights, a family retreat and about 14-miles of Trinity river frontage.

Controlling invasive species in hard to reach areas is requiring a new approach to brush control.
Helicopter Herbicides Attack Invasive Weeds in Pastures

Controlling invasive species in hard to reach areas is requiring a new approach to brush control.

Wildfires are becoming more prevalent. One thing that could help manage these higher fuel loads? Livestock grazing.
Nalivka: Grazing Is A Sensible Fire Suppression Tool That Benefits All

Wildfires are becoming more prevalent. One thing that could help manage these higher fuel loads? Livestock grazing.

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Livestock Prices Push Down Ag Economy Index in May

Concerns about livestock prices took some air out of the Purdue/CME Ag Economy Barometer, pushing the new index down to 97 in May from April’s 106.

iStock Brown Barn
Couple Donates Farm to Pennsylvania's Juniata College

Juniata College has taken ownership of more than 300 acres in Bedford County after a farm was donated by Altoona couple Jack L. and Carolyn A. Sparks.

Fire_Damage
Through the Fire and Flames

Is it better to graze it or blaze it?  

BT_Brazil_Amazon_Cattle
Brookfield Said to Raise $300 Million for Brazil Farmland Fund

Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Canada’s largest alternative asset manager, reportedly has raised $300 million for a new agricultural fund targeting Brazilian farmland.

farmland
Farmland Price Plateau Ahead, Bankers Say

While good values and cash rental rates rose in some places, they fell in other states, and some bankers are worried about farmer financial health.

p68 Dakota Corn and Soybean Production Explode
Dakota Corn and Soybean Production Explode

North and South Dakota farmers see landscape move away from pastures and toward row crops.