Farm Economics
Land Value Estimator
Estimate farm land value based on comparable sales and productivity.
Input
Fill in the fields below, then click Calculate.
Your field vs comparable (higher = better soil)
No results yet
Fill in the fields and click Calculate to see results.
Related Calculators
What to Calculate Next
How to Use This Calculator
Enter a comparable sale price per acre from a recent nearby transaction. Provide the soil productivity index (CSR or PI) for both your field and the comparable sale. Enter your parcel size in acres. The calculator adjusts the sale price based on relative soil quality.
Why This Matters
Accurate land valuation is essential for buying, selling, estate planning, and securing farm loans. Soil productivity is the strongest predictor of farmland value, so adjusting for it gives a more reliable estimate than using raw comparable sales alone.
Methodology
Adjusted value = Comparable sale price × (Your productivity index / Comparable productivity index). Total parcel value = Adjusted value per acre × Acres. The productivity adjustment accounts for yield potential differences between your field and the comparable sale.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using comparables from too far away — land values vary significantly even within a county.
- Ignoring non-soil factors like drainage quality, field shape, road access, and buildings.
- Using a single comparable sale instead of averaging 3-5 recent transactions.
- Not adjusting for market timing — a sale from 2 years ago may not reflect current values.
Tips & Best Practices
- Always use recent comparable sales within 5 miles if possible.
- Soil quality (CSR/PI) is the strongest predictor of farm land value.
- Drainage, road access, and field shape also affect value.