The agricultural land market demonstrates remarkable resilience in early 2024, despite ongoing concerns about tariffs, interest rates, and commodity price fluctuations. In this information-packed episode, we dive deep into current farmland trends with special guest Jim Rothermich, "The Iowa Land Guy," who tracks every land auction in Iowa and provides crucial market insights.

Rothermich reveals that Northwest Iowa continues to see premium farmland prices exceeding $20,000 per acre, driven primarily by local producers rather than outside investors. This producer-dominated market reflects the strategic importance of land acquisition beyond simple ROI calculations—farmers recognize that expansion opportunities may be once-in-a-lifetime chances. Despite rising interest rates reducing the buyer pool somewhat, most transactions still involve significant cash positions from farmers with strong balance sheets.

The conversation shifts to recent auction results across several states, showcasing the tremendous range in current land values. From recreational properties selling for $3,800/acre in Pembina County, North Dakota, to premium farmland reaching $12,500/acre in Brown County, Minnesota, and multi-parcel offerings near Moorhead bringing $9,600/acre, the market demonstrates continued strength across diverse property types.

Hosts Steve Link and Andy Murdock share exciting details about upcoming auctions, including a 3,000-acre ranch property in Golden Valley County and a unique 840-acre offering near Custer State Park in South Dakota featuring parcels with direct views of Mount Rushmore. The episode provides valuable perspective on market trends, buyer motivations, and what both sellers and purchasers should consider in today's dynamic land market.

Discover why agricultural real estate continues to attract strong interest despite economic headwinds, and gain insights that could help you make more informed decisions about your land assets. Visit piferscom to explore complete details on upcoming land and equipment auctions mentioned in this episode.

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The heartbeat of southwest North Dakota pulses through the iconic white grain elevators of the Scranton Equity Exchange. For 110 years, this cooperative has adapted, evolved, and expanded to remain the cornerstone of its community—a testament to rural resilience in an ever-changing agricultural landscape.

General Manager Ben Hetzel takes us behind the scenes of this remarkable operation that stretches far beyond a typical grain elevator. From its robust feed plant that once defined the company to its modern grocery store, C-stores, lumber yard, and truck shop, the Scranton Equity embodies the diverse needs of the communities it serves. What truly sets this cooperative apart is its forward-thinking approach to agricultural services, especially evident in its recently completed 24,000-ton fertilizer storage facility.

The fertilizer plant represents a quantum leap from the days of 50-pound bags of Elephant Brand fertilizer unloaded manually from rail cars. Today's automated system allows for precision blending in seconds, delivering higher quality products with greater efficiency. This forward-thinking investment allows the cooperative to ship fertilizer as far as the Canadian border and deep into Montana, turning Scranton into a hub for agricultural inputs across the Northern Plains.

Looking ahead, the horizon of Scranton is set to change again with plans for a new slip elevator and additional dump pits designed to improve traffic flow and accommodate the increasingly diverse crop mix grown in southwest North Dakota. From traditional wheat and durum to newer crops like corn, canola, and pulses, the cooperative continues to evolve with its producer-members.

What makes the story of Scranton Equity particularly compelling is how it balances technological advancement with community service—maintaining vital services like its beloved bakery and meat department while investing in cutting-edge agricultural technology. It's a formula that has sustained this cooperative for over a century and positions it for generations to come. Discover how rural businesses can thrive by embracing change while honoring their community roots.

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North Dakota stands at the crossroads of agricultural evolution, with livestock diversification emerging as a powerful economic driver for farms across the state. In this revealing conversation with Amber Wood of the North Dakota Livestock Alliance, we uncover how this relatively young organization (established 2017) is reshaping the future of animal agriculture across the Peace Garden State.

For a state dominated by crop production and beef cattle, the potential for dairy, swine, and poultry expansion represents an untapped frontier. Amber shares the remarkable story of two proposed dairy operations that could literally transform the industry overnight - a 12,500-cow facility near Abercrombie and a 24,000-cow operation near Hillsboro. Together, these projects would triple North Dakota's current dairy population, potentially attracting processing infrastructure that has been steadily disappearing from the region. This chicken-and-egg dilemma of needing processors to support farmers while processors need sufficient volume to justify investment highlights the delicate balance required for agricultural growth.

Beyond the economics of scale, we explore how livestock integration enhances land value through what Amber playfully calls "number two being number one" - the profound impact of manure on soil health. Beyond providing the basic NPK nutrients, livestock waste delivers micronutrients, organic matter, and moisture retention capacity that commercial fertilizers simply cannot match. This natural enhancement creates a virtuous cycle where crops feed animals and animals nourish the soil.

The NDLA offers a suite of services that remove barriers for producers considering livestock diversification. From free site analyses examining everything from power availability to road infrastructure, to guiding farmers through complex permitting processes that can span hundreds of pages of documentation, they provide the expertise many landowners simply don't possess. We also touch on current challenges facing livestock producers, including the recent spread of avian influenza into dairy herds and the promising developments in vaccination technology that could help control its spread.

Whether you're a crop producer considering diversification, a current livestock operator looking to expand, or simply curious about the future of North Dakota agriculture, this conversation illuminates the tremendous potential waiting to be unlocked. Connect with the North Dakota Livestock Alliance at ndlivestock.org to explore how livestock might fit into your agricultural operation.

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Contact the team at Pifer's