Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Iowa soil so productive compared to other Midwest states?
The soil in central and eastern Iowa was built by thousands of years by tall prairie grass rotting into the ground after the glaciers melted. According to soil scientists from Iowa State University, this created land that holds 3 to 6 percent organic matter, which is an insanely high number compared to the rest of the world. The land holds water like a sponge and pumps endless nutrients into the crops. The state is also very flat so farmers can plant almost every single inch of land. Farmers have also buried endless miles of drainage pipes under the fields to suck out the extra water after heavy spring rains. Because of all this Iowa is the absolute best place in America to grow corn and soybeans.
How does tile drainage affect Iowa farmland value?
Underground drainage pipes commonly called tile are one of the biggest factors in pricing Iowa farmland. If a farm has a great tile system that can drain the whole field dry 24 to 48 hours after a massive storm it will grow massive crops every single year no matter the weather. The best farms have huge main pipes with smaller pipes running every 40 to 60 feet across the whole field. When you buy a farm you absolutely must ask for the tile maps to see where the pipes are buried. If a field does not have enough pipes you can pay to install more but according to farm contractors it will cost you 500 to 1000 dollars per acre which you need to factor into your purchase price.
What crops do Iowa farmers grow and what are typical yields?
Iowa farmers almost exclusively grow corn and soybeans. Most farmers in the center of the state just flip back and forth, planting corn one year and soybeans the next. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the state usually averages 190 to 210 bushels of corn per acre, but the absolute best land can easily pump out 220 to 250 bushels. Soybeans usually average 50 to 55 bushels per acre, with the best farms hitting 65 to 75 bushels. Up north, some farmers sign special contracts with big companies to grow seed corn, which pays a lot more money than standard commodity corn. A few farmers still grow oats or cut hay, but corn and beans rule the state.
