Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report

Nebraska Farmland Values and Cash Rental Rates

2026 Preliminary Results

Updated March 18, 2026

The market value of agricultural land in Nebraska declined by 1% over the prior year to an average of $3,905 per acre as of Feb. 1, according to the 2026 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey. This marks the second consecutive year that the market value of agricultural land in Nebraska has declined since reaching the record high non-inflation-adjusted statewide land value in 2024. 

Results are published by region and land type below.

2026 Preliminary Report PDF  2025 Final Report PDF 

Previous Years Reports

Virtual Workshops March 24 and 26, 2026

Two virtual landlord/tenant cash rent workshops will cover 2026 land values, rental rates, leasing strategies, financial considerations for farm transition planning, and more. Register here.

2026 Survey Highlights

• The statewide all-land average value for the year ending Feb. 1, 2026, averaged $3,905 per acre, a 1% decrease from the prior year’s value of $3,935 per acre.
• This marks the second consecutive year of declining agricultural land values in Nebraska since the market reached a record non-inflation-adjusted statewide land value of $4,015 per acre in 2024.
• Land industry professionals responding to the survey cited lower crop prices, elevated farm input costs, and prevailing interest rates as the primary factors influencing agricultural land values.
• Lower commodity prices have tightened the financial positions of many crop producers, while interest rates remain above the 10-year average and continue to increase borrowing costs for operating credit and real estate purchases.
• The estimated market value of dryland cropland without irrigation potential decreased 1% statewide compared to the previous year.
• Dryland cropland with irrigation potential declined 2% statewide.
• Center pivot irrigated cropland averaged 2% lower in 2026, with declines in several regions ranging from 4% to 8%.
• Gravity irrigated cropland declined an average of 3% statewide.
• In contrast, grazing land and hayland values increased between 4% and 7%, led by nontillable grazing land, which rose 7% statewide as strong cattle prices increased competition for grazing acres.
• Cash rental rates for dryland and irrigated cropland declined across Nebraska, generally falling between 1% and 9% depending on land type and region.
• Pasture and cow-calf pair rental rates increased about 4% to 5% statewide, reflecting stronger cattle prices and shifts in national livestock inventories.