Area Updates 

Please see below for details regarding conditions throughout our service area… 

Illinois: Penny Lauritzen, AFM, CFP, Lanark, Illinois, reports: There is about 5% of corn still in the field in our area which is now under three inches of snow. We have soybean yields below average and corn yields above average. Land prices have slipped about 15 to 20% for Class C and B soils as recent auctions have indicated, compared to appraisals done in early summer on the same class of land. The values for Class A soils are still holding steady. 

For additional information, please contact Penny Lauritzen, AFM, at (815) 493-6098 or email plauritzen@farmersnational.com.  

Northeast Nebraska: Jerome Settles, Farm Manager, Norfolk, Nebraska, reports: The harvest is coming to a close in the Norfolk area. As a whole the soybeans yields were lower than expected due to the lack of timely rains for them. On the other hand the corn crop was above average on the good ground. Due genetic advancements on the corn plants, the fall dry down was a major problem. 

Real estate is really a roller coaster!  If the property is near a neighbor, it is still in strong demand. If not it gets very interesting. The best property is still selling good, but the average land is having problems finding new ownership compared to the sellers prices. 

For additional information, please contact Jerome Settles, Farm Manager, at (402) 565-4800  or email jsettles@farmersnational.com.  

Southwestern Kansas and Southeastern Colorado: Mark Callender, Farm Manager, Dighton, Kansas, reports: Fall harvest was later than usual this year primarily because of the cool second half of August and the month of September. The cool weather slowed crop development and delayed harvest. By the first of December harvest was complete with irrigated yields near normal and dryland yields below normal. Irrigated corn yields ranged from 160 bpa to 255 bpa while dryland corn yields were 5 bpa to 60 bpa. Most milo is planted on dryland acres and that yield ranged from 30 bpa to 85 bpa.    

There was good soil moisture to get the 2009 wheat crop started but slightly fewer acres were planted this year. The late fall harvest prohibited some producers from planting wheat after the fall harvested crops. 

Even though commodity prices have declined this fall, land values remain strong on good quality land. Land of poorer quality is beginning to see a slight decline in sale price. Most producers are slow to make crop input commitments because of the drop in commodity prices and the still relatively high input costs.  

For additional information, please contact Mark Callender, Farm Manager, at (620) 397-5160 or email mcallender@farmersnational.com. 

For information about your specific area, please contact Jerry Warner, Lee Vermeer, or Jim Farrell toll free at 1-800-346-2650. 

Jackson Elected Iowa Chapter Land Institute President 

Carl Jackson, AARE, Real Estate Sales, West Des Moines, Iowa, was elected President of the Iowa Farm and Land Chapter REALTORS® Land Institute at the 2008 Convention in Des Moines. Jackson will represent the Iowa Chapter at national and state meetings and functions. 

The Iowa Farm and Land Chapter REALTORS® Land Institute of the Iowa Association of REALTORS® is an organization of professional land realtors serving those who have an interest in the ownership, use, and value of land. 

Congratulations, Carl! 

Real Estate & Auction News 

Historic Western Nebraska
Ranch For Sale 

11,040+ Acres,
The Wagon Box Ranch 

The Wagon Box Ranch is a secluded oasis with rocky canyons and tree lined bluffs that provide an amazing glimpse of an exciting and challenging time in our history and are so calming that you can almost see the unsuspecting buffalo grazing as an Indian hunting party waits nearby.  

Since 1970 the Wagon Box Ranch has been home to a fully operational natural beef and organic grain operation with modern facilities and late model irrigation equipment. The present owner has called this ranch home for thirty-eight years and pride of ownership is evident. 

There are 800+ acres of irrigated land on the ranch distributed through six late model pivot systems. Irrigation water is provided through six wells. An extensive waterline system with miles of underground pipeline crosses the ranch connecting wells to pasture water tanks.  

The Wagon Box Ranch lies within Banner, Cheyenne, and Morrill Counties, Nebraska, with county gravel roads from three directions providing easy access to the ranch.  

Driving through the Wagon Box Ranch gives one the feeling of driving through a well-managed state park more than an operating ranch as elk, deer, turkey, and pheasant cross your path. For additional information contact Jay Johnson, (308) 762-3155 or Paul Schadegg, (308) 254-2826. 

Would you like to Know About New Land Listings and Upcoming Auctions in Your Area? 

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