Nick Westgerdes, AFM

09/03/2026

🌼🦋🐝Goldenrod GALORE this time of year in the prairie. Phenomenal late season pollinator food that isn't an allergen as some assume. It's often confused with ragweed, which also blooms this time of year and is indeed an allergen. Monarch Watch Illinois Audubon Society Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't

08/27/2026

🚨 2026 ISPFMRA Mid-Year Survey Results 🚨

- 61% of respondents expect land values to maintain through the end of 2026
- 49% expect to see more listings and fewer auctions
- 87% expect land values to be the same or higher in the next 2 years

- Cash Rent Projections for 2027 remain strong! With the recent increase in commodity prices since the survey was requested, it seems that 2027 market value rents will hold steady, or even increase slightly compared to 2026.

08/21/2026

🌾 Curious where Illinois farmland prices and rents are headed? Join us for a FREE farmdoc Daily webinar presenting the latest mid-year survey results from the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ISPFMRA)!

Rents and Prices Outlook
📅 Date: Thursday, August 27
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM CDT (1 hour)
📍 Where: Online (Advance registration required)
💲 Cost: FREE!

What we'll cover:
Year-end outlook for Illinois farmland prices
Cash rent projections
Trends in wind and solar leases, plus data center activity

Featured Speakers:
Luke Worrell, AFM (Worrell Land Services & ISPFMRA Land Values Chair)
Juo-Han Tsay (Assistant Director, TIAA Center for Farmland Research at UIUC)

Registration is open right up until start time!

🔗 Register now: https://farmdoc.illinois.edu/webinars (Scroll down on the page to sign up)

08/19/2026

Over the past few days, I traveled throughout a good portion of N. Illinois. Safe to say that we stand to have another really good harvest this fall! Corn pollination was more than adequate and disease pressure remains fairly low; while soybeans have received most if not all the August rain they'll need to finish out. Only downside currently with soybeans is that we might end up with lodging issues as many fields have gotten tall and heavy rains have caused some plants to fall over.

08/19/2026

🌽 1987: 1.2 billion bushels | 132 bu./acre
🌽 2024: 2.31 billion bushels | 217 bu./acre

Amazing how much Illinois corn production has increased since the late 80's. Nearly 100 bushels per acre 🤯, and only a modest increase in planted acres.

Take a look at Illinois corn production in 1987 then fast forward to 2024.

2024: Illinois farmers produced 2.31 billion bushels - nearly twice as much corn while harvested acres increased only about 17%. Average yield climbed to 217 bushels per acre.

Better genetics, technology, equipment, precision agriculture and improved farming practices have helped farmers produce more without needing anywhere near twice as much land.

🌽 1987: 1.2 billion bushels | 132 bu./acre
🌽 2024: 2.31 billion bushels | 217 bu./acre

Nearly twice the corn. From only modestly more acres. That's producing more with less.

08/07/2026

📈 Land Values: Market Shift vs. Poor Strategy 📉

Recently, conversations with investors, brokers, and lenders often center on one topic: a potential short-term decrease in land values. Many point to select sales as "proof" that the market is already receding.

Before we assume a mass market correction is underway, we must consider a critical, often-overlooked factor: The Method of Sale.

When you dig into the details of properties that didn't reach their full potential, you have to ask: Is this a market downturn, or simply an example of NOT choosing the correct sale method?

Some of the "market signals" being used to show decreasing land values are actually misdiagnosed cases of flawed sales strategy.

In real estate, local knowledge and deep analysis are paramount. Don’t settle for a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Partner with a broker who can analyze your unique property and execute the specific sale method that will create the optimum result.

07/31/2026

Hope this rainfall forecast holds true. Slight drought conditions have popped up again in the area as corn and soybeans enter a critical stage.

Soaking rain with thunder starting around lunchtime on Friday and continuing through Saturday morning. The heaviest rain will occur Friday night. 1-2 inches of rain is possible through Saturday afternoon.

07/30/2026

⏰ 2027 CASH RENT Projections: Planning Ahead 📋

Are you maximizing your farmland investment while staying aligned with current market conditions? At New Roots Farm Brokerage, we help landowners navigate changing market trends with complete confidence:

Customized Rent Analysis: We evaluate your farm's specific soil quality, field layout, historical yields, commodity price projections and local supply and demand to determine a personalized, accurate, fair-market cash rent.

Lease Structure Comparison: Curious if a flex lease, crop-share arrangement, or custom farming agreement fits your risk tolerance better than a standard fixed cash rent? We analyze and compare net returns across multiple lease models.

Turnkey Professional Farm Management: From tenant relations and lease negotiations to soil health tracking and capital improvement oversight, we handle all day-to-day details, so you don't have to!

📩 Thinking about what your land should rent for in 2027? Send me a direct message or give me a call today to discuss your options!

NEW ROOTS FARM BROKERAGE
Client Driven & Farm Focused

Nick Westgerdes, AFM
Accredited Farm Manager
IL Designated Managing Broker
Wisconsin Broker
IL Auctioneer 441.002833
815-570-1484
[email protected]
www.newrootsfarms.com

07/30/2026

📈 2026 Fall FARM SALE SEASON: Quickly Approaching 📉

Are you up to speed on land values across Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin? At New Roots Farm Brokerage, we help landowners navigate changing market trends with complete confidence:

LOCAL Market Awareness: We continuously track regional sales, auctions, market activity and supply and demand to deliver accurate Comparative Market Analysis personalized to each prospect.

Tailored Sale Strategies: Every property is unique! We always recommend the sale strategy that maximizes your land’s return – whether that means a private treaty listing, a private off market sale, or one of many competitive auction formats.

Turnkey Professional Real Estate Service: From proposal to marketing, negotiating, completing contracts and the closing process, we handle all day-to-day details, so you don't have to!

📩 Thinking about selling or curious what your land is worth? Send me a direct message or give me a call today to discuss your options.

NEW ROOTS FARM BROKERAGE
Client Driven & Farm Focused

Nick Westgerdes, AFM
IL Designated Managing Broker
Wisconsin Broker
IL Auctioneer 441.002833
Accredited Farm Manager
815-570-1484
[email protected]
www.newrootsfarms.com

07/28/2026

Interesting article here by Dorothy Neufeld and Visual Capitalist outlining America's Most Valuable Farmland by State. Illinois is ranked 10th with Wisconsin coming in at 17th. Farmland values vary more than 30-fold across the U.S., from $725 per acre in New Mexico to $22,500 per acre in Rhode Island.



https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-states-with-americas-most-valuable-farmland/