Frequently Asked Questions
What is irrigated cropland worth in Nebraska?
According to the 2026 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey irrigated farm dirt along the Platte River with active center pivot systems and strong water rights trades for $9,000 to $12,500 per acre which is way higher than dryland dirt.
The irrigation equipment perfectly protects the crops from dry weather that constantly hurts dryland farms in the area. During years with normal rain the irrigated dirt grows 20 to 30 percent more corn than nearby dryland fields.
Having old water rights is incredibly important because senior rights are fully protected during droughts while newer junior rights can be completely cut off by the local water districts. Properties with water rights from before 1970 are worth a lot more money than farms with newer rights.
What crops are grown on Nebraska farmland?
Nebraska farmers mostly rotate corn and soybeans in the eastern part of the state and the Platte River area grows some of the highest corn numbers in the Great Plains under irrigation. Farmers grow winter wheat out in the central and western dryland counties.
Dry edible beans are a very popular specialty crop in the Panhandle near Scottsbluff. Farmers also grow sugar beets in the North Platte River valley near Scottsbluff and Gering using irrigation.
Growing alfalfa hay is a massive business in the Sandhills where ranchers use the high quality irrigated alfalfa to feed their cattle through the winter. Nebraska is always a top five state for raising beef cattle in the massive feedlots located in the central Platte area.
How does the Nebraska farmland investment market compare to Iowa and Illinois?
Nebraska farm dirt offers a fantastic discount compared to Iowa and Illinois for buyers who do not mind slightly lower soil quality and a less famous deer hunting reputation. Eastern Nebraska crop dirt delivers very steady farming money at prices 20 to 40 percent cheaper than similar dirt in Iowa and Illinois.
Buying irrigated Nebraska dirt gives you totally different water security benefits compared to the rain dependent farms in the Corn Belt.
The mix of steady farming money the ability to rent the land out to pheasant and deer hunters and cheaper buying prices makes Nebraska a fantastic choice for long term land investment. The University of Nebraska Lincoln puts out a yearly land value and rent survey that gives buyers the absolute best local price information to use.
