Wisconsin farmland values have held firm across the state, with increases in areas seeing high demand from dairy operations, according to a new report from Compeer Financial.
Compeer’s latest report, Farmland Value Trends: Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, shows that land values have remained strong in 2026 despite challenges for farmers with corn, soybeans and milk prices.
The ten benchmark locations across the state showed an increase in value of 10.8% from December 2024 to December 2025. From January through June of this year, values rose by an average of 4.5%.
“A lot of the highest-value land is near dairies,” said Jeff Jens, Certified Appraiser at Compeer in Wisconsin. “Close proximity to cropland lowers manure hauling and feed costs for those operations.”
Values are also supported by a lack of supply. Across the three states, sales volume was consistent in recent years at about 2,800 transactions per year from 2021-2024. In the most recent period, that dropped to about 1,680.
“So far, land values have been resilient despite the challenges farmers are seeing,” Jens said.
Fall and year-end auctions will be key benchmarks in seeing whether the recent resiliency in land values holds steady, according to the report.
Also in the report, Minnesota and Illinois land values are holding firm behind the same dip in sales volume, but they are not seeing the gains that some areas in Wisconsin have seen.
Compeer will dive into this topic further in a webinar – 2026 Farmland Market Check-Up – on August 19. The virtual event is free and open to all. Can’t make the webinar? Sign up anyway, and Compeer will send the replay to your inbox.
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