By Blake Jackson
University of Missouri Extension is encouraging landowners, agricultural lenders, rural appraisers, real estate professionals, and others familiar with farmland transactions to participate in the 2026 Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey.
The annual survey gathers information about farmland prices across Missouri, helping farmers, financial institutions, policymakers, and researchers evaluate market conditions and regional trends.
Its county-level findings provide additional insight alongside statewide farmland estimates published by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
"Broad participation is essential to help us develop a representative picture of Missouri's farmland market," said Ryan Milhollin, MU Extension associate professor and survey organizer.
"Responses from people familiar with land transactions help us better understand regional differences and offer information that Missourians can use when making decisions about farmland purchases, sales, leases, and investments."
The survey requests estimates of farmland values as of November 2026 across several categories, including cropland, pastureland, timberland, and recreational and hunting land.
Participants can submit information for up to three counties per survey and complete additional surveys if they have knowledge of other areas. Questions also address the purposes behind farmland purchases and factors affecting the state's agricultural land market.
Results from the 2025 survey, which collected more than 400 responses, indicated relatively steady farmland values compared with the previous year.
Average values for good-quality non-irrigated cropland reached $8,596 per acre, while good pastureland averaged $5,651 per acre. Timberland and recreational or hunting properties also recorded increases.
"Farmland markets can vary considerably by region and land type, making local insights even more important," Milhollin said. "Each response helps strengthen the information available to those working in Missouri agriculture and making decisions about farmland."
The anonymous online survey takes approximately five to 10 minutes to complete and closes December 31, 2026. Interested participants can submit their responses at muext.us/farmlandvaluesurvey26.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Missouri, Crops, General