Wisconsin lenders are starting to encourage farmers to have conversations with land owners they’re renting ground from on lowering rent rates for 2019. The uncertainty on what international business will be available for U.S. farm goods is causing those conversations. In the first half of 2018, land values in Wisconsin held firm, but not knowing what’s next with trade discussion and farm policy work is requiring a lot of thought on how to pencil out 2019.
Wisconsin’s farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $5,320 per acre, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Land Values 2018 Summary. This was up $120 per acre or 2 percent from last year’s level.
Cropland value, at $5,150 per acre, decreased 1 percent from a year ago. Pasture, at $2,450 per acre, increased 4 percent from a year ago.
