2025-08 PAER: Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey Results

August 19, 2025

Indiana farmland prices have continued the trend of record highs in 2025, according to the latest Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rents Survey results. The survey is conducted out of the Purdue University Department of Agricultural Economics and produced through the cooperation of numerous professionals knowledgeable about Indiana’s farmland market. These professionals provide an estimate of the market value for bare poor-, average- and top-quality farmland in December 2024, June 2025 and a forecast for December 2025.

The average price of top-quality farmland reached $14,826 per acre, a 3.0% increase from June 2024. Average- and poor-quality farmland also saw gains, with prices increasing 5.4% and 7.6% to $12,254 and $9,761 per acre, respectively.

“Farmland prices increased modestly in 2025 at the state-level and across the northern two thirds of the state,” said Todd Kuethe, the Schrader Endowed Chair in Farmland Economics at Purdue and the survey’s author. “However, farmland prices declined by varying degrees in the southern third of the state.” Both the southwest and southeast regions experienced declines between 4.6% and 11.3%, depending on quality grade.

Kuethe also noted that respondents expect a modest increase in farmland prices through the rest of 2025 for most of the state, though prices are anticipated to continue to decline in the southwest and southeast regions. Additionally, land transitioning out of agricultural production declined in value slightly by 5.3%,. Statewide cash rents saw minimal changes, with some variation across regions, reflecting broader trends in land values.

The Department of Agricultural Economics conducts the Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rents Survey each June and it is published in the quarterly publication Purdue Agricultural Economics Report.

Indiana Farmland Values & Cash Rental Rates: 2025 Update

aerial view of crop field next to trees near creek

Purdue ag economists Todd Kuethe and Michael Langemeier will discuss results from the 2025 Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey and implications for Indiana farmers and landowners on the Purdue Commercial AgCast. The episode should be released in Septemeber. Consider subscribing so you don’t miss these insights! Each June, the department of agricultural economics surveys knowledgeable professionals regarding Indiana’s farmland and cash rental market.

 

 

 

To view the full Farmland Values & Cash Rents survey results, as well as associated articles and charts, please select from the articles listed below.

Articles in this Publication:

Farmland Prices Increase Despite Downward Pressure

Are farmland price expectations “wrong”? It depends how you ask.

Is farmland a good investment? Comparing risk and returns to other asset classes

Trends in Farmland Price to Rent Ratios in Indiana

Latest Articles:

Farmland Prices Increase Despite Downward Pressure

August 19, 2025

Indiana farmland values hit new record highs in 2025 despite regional declines, with development demand and recreational land gains offsetting downward pressure from lower farm incomes, weaker crop prices, and interest rates.

READ MORE

Are farmland price expectations “wrong”? It depends how you ask.

August 19, 2025

Analysis of the Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey shows price expectations often seem inaccurate because they’re assumed to be averages—when many respondents report the most likely price. Viewed this way, expectations are rational in most cases, making them more useful for producers and investors.

READ MORE

Is farmland a good investment? Comparing risk and returns to other asset classes

August 19, 2025

Indiana farmland offers returns above bonds but below equities, with less volatility than stocks. Adding cash rents boosts returns, and its low correlation with equities and inverse correlation with bonds make it a strong portfolio diversifier.

READ MORE

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