The average value of Iowa farmland increased 4.9 percent in the year that ended March 1, according to the most recent survey of farmland specialists by The Realtors Land Institute – Iowa Chapter. The estimated prices were for bare, unimproved land with a sale price on a cash basis. Cropland values rose 2.9 percent from September 2017 to March, after increasing 2 percent for the period that ended in September 2017. All Iowa crop reporting districts showed an increase in the average farmland value, according to a release. Major factors contributing to current farmland values continue included slightly higher commodity prices, limited amount of land on the market and higher than expected yields