Resources
Welcome to the Hiatt Land Management Resource Center. Whether you're a landowner, investor, or farm operator, staying informed is essential to making confident decisions. Below, you'll find curated tools, reports, and insights to help you stay ahead of land values, lease trends, and ag economics in Central Illinois and beyond.
An Industry on the Rise: 2026 ISPFMRA Industry Profile
Published by: Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ISPFMRA)
Released: April 2, 2026
The 2026 ISPFMRA survey shows continued growth in professional farm management and rural appraisal services across Illinois. Responding firms reported more than 2.7 million acres under management — roughly 11.3% of all Illinois cropland — with reported acres, properties managed, and average acres per manager all rising substantially since the last survey in 2016. Respondents also expect continued growth in clients and managed acres over the next decade.
Key Figures
| Metric | Data | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Acres under management | 2,709,119 | 11.3% of Illinois cropland; up 156% since 2016 |
| Total valuation of managed property | $27.94 billion | Across 9,418 properties |
| Properties under management | 9,418 | Up 218% from 4,318 in 2016 |
| Average acres per manager | 10,582 | Up from 5,489 in 2016 |
| 10-year forecast — managed acres | +24.6% | Average expected increase |
| 10-year forecast — clients | +39.2% | Average expected increase |
| 2025 appraisals | 1,717 | $6.43 billion total valuation |
Key Updates
- Rapid growth since 2016: acres under management rose 156% and total properties managed rose 218%, reported across 86 farm-management firms (averaging 4.3 managers per office).
- Conservation tillage gaining ground: strip-till and other practices jumped from 1.4% to 12.7% of managed acres, no-till rose to 21.8%, and conventional tillage fell from 34.4% to 27.0%.
- Lease mix: of reported acres, crop share leads at 43.5%, followed by variable cash rent at 27.9% and fixed cash rent at 22.4%.
- Client base diversifying: family corporations, non-family corporations, and limited partnerships are growing as a share of clients, while individuals and trusts decline.
- Strong appraisal activity: 10 reporting firms completed 1,717 appraisals in 2025 totaling $6.43 billion in valuations, with 92.5% involving farmland.
Crops Under Management (Acres)
| Crop | 2026 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Corn | 1,351,838 | 565,804 |
| Soybeans | 1,273,056 | 469,213 |
| Wheat | 70,998 | 5,151 |
| Alfalfa | 4,253 | 688 |
| Pasture | 5,106 | 12,177 |
| Other | 2,892 | 6,395 |
Tillage Practices on Land Managed (%)
| Practice | 2026 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Tillage | 27.0 | 34.4 |
| Mulch Till | 31.0 | 39.7 |
| Ridge Till | 7.3 | 5.0 |
| No Till | 21.8 | 19.4 |
| Other (strip till) | 12.7 | 1.4 |
Land Managed by Lease Type
| Lease Type | Acres | % of Total | 2030 Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crop Share | 265,480 | 43.5 | 198,703 |
| Fixed Cash Rent | 136,544 | 22.4 | 150,634 |
| Variable Cash Rent | 170,478 | 27.9 | 146,834 |
| Bushel | 1,402 | 0.2 | 1,500 |
| Custom | 34,452 | 5.6 | 32,923 |
| Direct | 1,948 | 0.3 | 1,000 |
Client Diversity (%)
| Client Type | 2026 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Trusts | 20.9 | 31.0 |
| Individuals | 20.9 | 38.0 |
| Family Corporations | 14.0 | 8.6 |
| Limited Partnership | 12.8 | — |
| Multiple Ownership | 9.3 | 8.6 |
| Non-Family Corp. | 8.1 | 2.6 |
| Partnership | 5.1 | — |
| Creditor/Receivership | 4.7 | — |
| Other | 4.2 | — |
Appraisal Services (2025)
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Firms reporting appraisal work | 10 (avg. 1.7 appraisers on staff) |
| Total appraisals completed | 1,717 (avg. 60.8 per appraiser) |
| Total valuations | $6.43 billion |
| Farmland as share of properties appraised | 92.5% |
| Commercial as share of properties appraised | 29.9% |
⇩ Download the 2026 Industry ProfileContact Us for a Personalized Analysis
2026 Illinois Land Values & Lease Trends Report
Published by: Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ISPFMRA)
Released: April 2, 2026
We recommend reviewing the 2026 Land Values & Lease Trends Report, widely regarded as the most trusted source for current farmland values and rental rate data across Illinois. This annual report provides comprehensive insights into a market currently transitioning toward stabilization.
Key Market Figures
| Metric | Data | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Class A Farmland | −3% | Slight decline in 2025 |
| Variable Cash Rent Leases | 34% | Of all managed agreements |
| Corn Price Outlook | $4.00 – $4.50/bu | 2026 season estimate |
| E. Central IL — Excellent Land | $10,350 – $11,400/ac | Recent trade range |
Key Updates
- Farmland Market “Plateau”: After record-breaking highs, the market has reached a plateau. While Class A farmland saw a slight decline of approximately 3% in 2025, values for Class C, D, and recreational land remained resilient or slightly increased.
- Shifting Lease Trends: While cash rents remain historically strong, many new agreements for 2026 are incorporating flexible provisions to manage market uncertainty. Variable cash rent leases now account for about 34% of managed agreements.
- Economic Outlook: High input costs and modest commodity prices — with corn expected to range between $4.00 and $4.50 per bushel — are creating tight profit margins for the 2026 season.
- Regional Breakdowns: Detailed data for all 10 regions, including East-Central Illinois, where Excellent quality land recently traded between $10,350 and $11,400 per acre.
⇩ Download the 2026 Report Contact Us for a Personalized Analysis
2025 Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Mid-Year Survey
Farmland Prices
- Values declined 2–3.5% during the first half of 2025.
- 61% of buyers were farmers; 67% of sellers were estates.
- Outlook for late 2025: 49% expect small declines, 33% stable, 18% larger declines.
- By 2027, expectations are mixed: 23% higher, 44% steady, 33% lower.
Cash Rents in 2026
Most farm managers expect 2026 rents to be lower than 2025 rents by between $15 and $20 per acre.
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Expected rent change | −$15–$20 per acre in 2026 |
| 2025 corn price expectation | $3.95/bu |
| 2025 soybean price expectation | $9.95/bu |
| Expecting additional disaster payments | 76% |
Leasing Trends
Lease distribution in 2025:
| Lease Type | Share |
|---|---|
| Share rent | 21% |
| Modified share rent | 14% |
| Fixed cash rent | 25% |
| Variable cash rent (growing steadily) | 34% |
| Custom farming | 6% |
- Variable leases often use a base rent plus a revenue-based bonus.
- 97% of managers are satisfied with variable cash leases, noting easier negotiations.
- The average supplemental rent on a share rent lease is $31 per acre.
Wind and Solar
| Energy Type | Activity |
|---|---|
| Wind energy | 53% reported new contracts in early 2025 |
| Solar energy | 26% reported new contracts |
| Sales with renewable agreements | 57% of farmland sales, often boosting land appeal |
