By Blake Jackson
While Missouri’s farmland values have remained mostly steady, new data from the University of Missouri Extension’s annual Farmland Values Opinion Survey highlights growing demand and higher prices for timberland and recreational properties.
The 2025 survey, led by MU Extension assistant professor Juo-Han Tsay, not only tracks land values but also sheds light on who’s buying and selling farmland across the state.
Market Trends and Drivers
Survey results show the average value of “good” nonirrigated cropland at $8,596 per acre, with minimal change from the previous year. While pastureland saw a slight decline, timberland and hunting or recreational land experienced notable value increases.
Tsay attributed the shift to increasing interest in non-agricultural land uses, which is fueled in part by limited land supply.
Farmland values were highest around urban areas like St. Louis and lowest in the south-central region. From March to May 2025, the survey gathered 417 responses and data from over 2,000 land transactions, highlighting Missouri’s diverse land market.
Tsay explained that although local farmers are believed to represent over one-third of buyers, activity from investors and recreational or lifestyle buyers is on the rise. These two buyer groups each made up more than 20% of purchases statewide.
On the seller side, more than two-thirds were reportedly estate sales, retired farmers, or families carrying out succession plans. Tsay noted that “favorable market prices may have factored into sellers’ decisions.”
“Across the board, we observed a flat trend in farmland values from last year’s survey, outside of decreasing irrigated cropland values,” said Tsay. “As expected, we continue to see increases in timberland and hunting/recreational land values.”
2026 Market Outlook
Expectations for 2026 are mixed. Some respondents predict small gains in farmland values in urban, central, and south-central Missouri. However, MU Extension economist Ben Brown cautioned, “Although our respondents are expecting modest bumps, the economic outlook for agriculture could put a damper on things.”
Brown cited projections of a 23% drop in Missouri net farm income for 2026, tied to shrinking government payments and high input costs, alongside concerns like interest rates and land quality.
Why the Survey Matters
Tsay emphasized the survey’s importance in a state with no mandatory land sales reporting: “This information is critical to help people stay poised to make sound decisions when buying, selling or holding farmland.”
Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey
Categories: Missouri, Business, Education