December 27, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 22, 2013:  ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

Jan. 29, 2013:  Private Pesticide Applicators Recertification, Scott County Extension Office, 9:30 am-11:30 am

Jan. 29, 2013:  Private Pesticide Applicators Recertification, Scott County Extension Office, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm

Visit our events calendar at our web site: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

AMES, Iowa – Average Iowa farmland value is estimated to be $8,296 per acre, an increase of 23.7 percent from 2011, according to results of the Iowa Land Value Survey conducted in November. This is the third year in a row where values have increased more than 15 percent. The 2012 values are historical peaks.

The increase is somewhat higher than results of other recent surveys of Iowa farmland value: the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank estimated an 18 percent increase in Iowa land values from October 2011 to October 2012 and the Iowa Chapter of the Realtors Land Institute estimated a 7.7 percent increase from March to September 2012.

"The difference in survey estimates could be due to values increasing more rapidly in the past few months than earlier in the year. Better than expected crop yields and the level of land sale activity due to the proposed changes in land related taxes contributed to the increasing values," said Mike Duffy, Iowa State University economics professor and extension farm management economist who conducts the survey. "The Iowa State survey samples different populations, and uses different wording than the other surveys. This could also lead to different results especially in times of uncertainty. Even within the Iowa State survey there was considerable variation in the estimates."

O'Brien County had an estimated $12,862 average value, the highest average county value. O'Brien County also had the highest percentage increase and highest dollar increase in value, 35.2 percent and $3,348, respectively. Osceola, Dickinson and Lyon counties also saw 35.2 percent increases. The Northwest Crop Reporting District, which includes all four counties, reported the highest land values at $12,890, an increase of $3,241 (33.6 percent) from 2011. "The 2012 land value survey covers one of the most remarkable years in Iowa land value history," said Duffy. "This is the highest state value recorded by the survey, and the first time county averages have reached levels over $10,000. While this is an interesting time, there is considerable uncertainty surrounding future land values."

Why Iowa farmland values are increasing

Duffy said understanding some of the causes for the current increase in farmland values is helpful in assessing the situation. Farmland values are highly correlated with farm income. As farm income increases, so will land values. In 2005, corn prices averaged $1.94 per bushel in Iowa. The preliminary estimated price for November 2012 is $6.80. Soybean prices changed from $5.54 to $13.70 over the same period. Coming into 2012 there was a general sentiment that prices would decline from their peaks. But, the drought changed this and the prices remained at high levels. How long the high prices will last is unknown.

There has been considerable variation in commodity prices over the past few years, but farm income has increased substantially. The Iowa State economist goes on to say, the increase in income has been the primary cause for the increase in farmland values, but not the only one. "There are other causes for the increase," Duffy said. "Interest rates are at the lowest level in recent memory. Farmland purchased by investors went from 18 percent in 1989 to 39 percent of purchases in 2005, but investor purchases are back to the 1989 level of 18 percent this year after decreasing for the third year in a row."

Another key component is the costs of production. In the past, costs have risen in response to higher commodity prices. This is especially true for rents. Iowa State University estimated costs of crop production have shown a 61 percent increase in the cost per bushel since 2005. Without land, the increase has been 87 percent.

Duffy believes there is still discipline in the land market, while land values have increased 64 percent in the past three years, in 2009 values did decrease by 2.2 percent. Therefore, it is prudent to be mindful of the factors that influence land values. The economist said there are several key components to watch:

• Weather related problems - both here and around the world
• Government policies - especially policies related to estate and capital gains tax rates
• The amount of debt incurred with land acquisition
• What happens to input costs - land being the residual claimant to any excess profits in agriculture
• Government monetary policies as they relate to inflation and interest rates
• The performance of the U.S. economy and economies throughout the world - which impact commodity prices, which in turn impact land values

Overview of 2012 Iowa land values

While the highest county land values were reported in O'Brien County, Decatur County remained the lowest reported land value, $3,242 per acre, and the lowest dollar increase, $521.

Keokuk and Washington Counties had the lowest percentage increase, 14.8 percent, with reported average values of $6,330 and $8,226, respectively.

Low grade land in the state averaged $5,119 per acre and showed a 20.2 percent increase or $862 per acre, while medium grade land averaged $7,773 per acre; high grade land averaged $10,181 per acre. The lowest land value was estimated in the South Central Crop Reporting District, $4,308, while the lowest percentage increase was in the Southeast Crop Reporting District with an 8.2 percent increase. The Northwest Crop Reporting District reported a 36.8 percent increase, the highest district average percentage reported. Maps showing 2012 values, percentage change and comparisons to 2011 data and additional information from Duffy are available at www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/landvalue.

The Iowa Land Value Survey was initiated in 1941 and is sponsored by the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Iowa State University. Only the state average and the district averages are based directly on the Iowa State survey data. The county estimates are derived using a procedure that combines survey results with data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture.

The survey is based on reports by licensed real estate brokers and selected individuals considered knowledgeable of land market conditions. The 2012 survey is based on 486 usable responses providing 663 county land value estimates. The survey is intended to provide information on general land value trends, geographical land price relationships and factors influencing the Iowa land market. It is not intended to provide an estimate for any particular piece of property.

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The production of crossbred calves yields advantages in both heterosis and the blending of desirable traits from two or more breeds. However, the largest economic benefit of crossbreeding to commercial producers comes from having crossbred cows for multiple reasons.

Maternal heterosis improves calf survivability to weaning and increases calf weaning weight. Crossbred cows exhibit improvements in calving rate of nearly 4 percent and an increase in longevity of more than one year due to heterosis. Heterosis results in increases in lifetime productivity of approximately one calf and 600 pounds of calf weaning weight over the lifetime of the cow. Crossbreeding can have positive effects on a ranch's bottom line by not only increasing the quality and gross pay weight of calves produced but also by increasing the durability and productivity of the cow factory.

Traits of most economic value to commercial, self-replacing herds are reproductive traits including age at first calving, reproductive success and replacement rate. These maternal traits are sex-limited, lowly heritable and some are expressed quite late in life. This has precluded replacement heifer selection on these traits, and frustrated genetic progress. In fact, the antagonism between terminal and some maternal and calving traits may have led to negative progress, as positive selection on the terminal traits can result in negative selection on the maternal traits. It has been suggested that U.S. cow-calf producers should have a relative economic emphasis of 47 percent on reproduction, 24 percent on growth, and 30 percent on carcass traits.

So with all these advantages, why doesn't every cattleman practice crossbreeding to capture the added value of heterosis?

Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Brian McCulloh, Woodhill Angus in Wisconsin; and Dale Green, Castalia, Iowa seedstock producer, will have a panel discussion on this topic at the upcoming Driftless Region Beef conference Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2013, in Dubuque, Iowa.

The conference will begin at 1 p.m. on Jan. 31 and run till 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 1. Thursday's afternoon program will focus on feed efficiency at all stages of production, with an evening discussion focused on straight versus crossbreeding. Friday morning's program includes three breakout sessions for feedlot operations and three for cow herds.

Registration for the conference is $80 before Jan. 15 or $100 after Jan. 15. Additional information about the conference is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/beef .

The Driftless Region Beef Conference is sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the University of Minnesota Extension, and University of Wisconsin Extension. The planning team strives to deliver the latest in research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information or to receive a brochure, contact Denise Schwab at 319-721-9624.

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Iowa State University Extension is offering business and farm succession workshops to help business and farm families begin those conversations and start putting transition plans on paper. Gene Mohling, ISU Extension Regional Director, says the Business and Farm Succession Workshops are a result of needs expressed by residents in SE Iowa.

"I hear people express concerns about the future, about whether a spouse will be OK with their goals and about parents or children not knowing what the other plans to do - or when," said Mohling. "As I listen, I hear that the situations involve the whole family - men and women and more than one generation. That is why we are bringing Iowa State University transitioning experts to SE Iowa."

The workshops are planned as a multi-generational event for exiting owners and spouse, and succeeding owners and spouse. The two session workshops will be held on consecutive days to allow for the initiation of conversations and written plans. David Baker and John R. Baker, Beginning Farmer Center Administrator and Attorney at Law, will present the workshops. Workshops are scheduled for Dec. 14-15 at the Washington County Extension Office

Over the two days, participants will review the retirement plan concept and receive information on transfer plans, estate plans and a process for creating a family statement of intention. Family groups will be given time to write a statement of intent and vision of the future. "Families will go home with a blueprint to the future - knowing what they need to do, who they need to talk to, and understanding that the plan may need to be adjusted along the way."

Pre-registration can be made by contacting the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811 or email Nancy Adrian at nadrian@iastate.edu. This program is sponsored in part by Farm Credit Services.

For more information about the workshop contact the hosting county offices. Additional information about the Beginning Farmer Center is available online at www.extension.iastate.edu/bfc/ , by e-mailing bfc@iastate.edu, or calling 877-BFC-1999. The Beginning Farmer Center is backed by 20 years of research and experience helping farmers with transition plans.

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