The total value of all land and buildings on farms in Wisconsin rose to $49.0 billion during 2006, a 12 percent increase from the previous year. According to the USDA, both cropland and pasture rates increased over the past year, as cropland rose to $3,520 per acre–up $520. Pasture values grew by $300 to $2,100 per acre.
Overall, farm real estate, including land and buildings increased 19 percent to $3,800. As of January 1, Wisconsin had a cropland rental rate of $72 per acre, $13 below the national average of $85. Wisconsin topped the nation with the most expensive pasture rent. The value of an acre of pasture grew to $40, well above the U.S. average of $12 per acre.
Nationally, the total value of farm real estate totaled $1.71 trillion, climbing 15 percent over the past year. Farmland values ranged from as high as $12,500 per acre in Rhode Island to a low of $560 per acre in Wyoming. The highest cropland and pasture values were found in New Jersey, while North Dakota had the lowest values.
