The UK farmland market is being reshaped by shifting tax policy,economic uncertainty, and evolving buyer motivations. According to Ed Blundy of Brown & Co., tax-driven purchasers continue to dominate, with rollover relief remaining a major force behind land reinvestment.

Geopolitical strategist and bestselling author Peter Zeihan warns that declining immigration could have significant consequences for U.S. agriculture and the broader economy. Known for his work on global demographics, energy, and security—and followed widely through his books, newsletter, and YouTube channel—Zeihan argues that America’s historic strength has come from welcoming newcomers. With the U.S. population now slipping, he says agriculture-dependent regions may feel the impact first as labor shortages deepen. Zeihan will expand on these trends as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Land Investment Expo.

R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard is calling for Congress to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef, arguing it would provide consumers with clearer information and help U.S. cattle producers compete. Bullard says growing beef imports, especially from Argentina, highlight the need for labeling reforms and tariff tools to protect domestic ranchers. He contends that the 2015 repeal of COOL misleads consumers and weakens both market transparency and national food security.

When Nebraska farmland owner and lifelong dairy enthusiast Brian Burgett began researching milk digestion, it was to help his daughter manage dairy sensitivities—not to launch a new venture. His research led to the creation of a proposed “NonBCM Certified” seal, aimed at identifying dairy products free from the peptide BCM-7, a byproduct of A1 milk digestion linked to discomfort in some consumers. Drawing on his background in animal science, Burgett hopes the certification will promote greater understanding of milk types and restore confidence in traditional dairy.

Illinois land broker and farm manager Liz Strom says farmland values have leveled off after several years of record highs. From 2021 to 2023, A-quality farms in central Illinois regularly sold for over $20,000 per acre, driven by strong commodity prices and investor demand. Prices have since eased to around $15,000–$17,000 per acre, but Strom notes the market remains steady and competitive. Demand for top-tier farmland continues across the Midwest, especially among farmers and long-term investors.

In an era when farmland values often make headlines for their soaring price per acre, Indiana broker and farmer Johnny Klemme reminds us that land’s worth runs deeper than numbers. As co-owner of Geswein Farm & Land Realty and author of American Family Farmland: A Landowner’s Guide to Inheriting the Farm, Klemme explores the emotional, generational, and financial dimensions that define what “value” truly means.

Through his work with farm families, he emphasizes that understanding these perspectives—whether rooted in duty, legacy, or stewardship—can turn conflict into connection. For Klemme, land isn’t just an asset; it’s a living inheritance that binds people, soil, and story across generations.

Mallory DeVries built a thriving specialty mushroom business in northeast Iowa, selling more than 2,000 pounds annually. Despite her success, she decided to stop farming after realizing the operation’s heavy reliance on plastic waste, imported materials, and chemical use conflicted with her values of sustainability. Now, DeVries works to help other farmers develop more sustainable systems and localize agricultural infrastructure. Her experience, she says, taught her that real success in farming means staying aligned with one’s purpose.

Shrimp may not be what you expect to find on a farm in rural Indiana, but Karlanea Brown has turned it into a thriving business. As co-owner of RDM Aquaculture, she raises shrimp indoors without pumps, filters, or antibiotics—selling directly to customers and hosting tours. Rising tariffs on imported shrimp have made her locally raised product more competitive, opening doors for U.S. aquaculture. Brown hopes more farmers will see the opportunity, but reminds them: shrimp farming takes skill, patience, and daily work.

Wind turbines can bring significant financial opportunity to farmland, with Dr. Dave Muth noting land value premiums of 3–16% and lease revenues now exceeding $20,000 per turbine each year. While investors often value the cash flow more than traditional farmers, Muth emphasizes that contracts, easements, and decommissioning responsibilities must be carefully considered to protect landowners in the long term.

Washington fruit grower and social media personality Kait Thornton, known online as “Applegirlkait,” is using her platform to highlight both the challenges and opportunities in apple and pear farming. A fourth-generation farmer from Tonasket, Thornton manages orchards that grow apples, pears, and apricots while navigating shifting consumer demand, labor shortages, and volatile markets. Despite these challenges, she continues to invest heavily in crops and shares the realities of farming online. With over half a million followers across TikTok and Instagram, she hopes to bridge the gap between agriculture and consumers.

Northwest cherry growers are shifting strategy as tariffs have pushed exports to China down by more than a third. With costs too high for Chinese consumers, producers are pivoting toward new markets like Vietnam, Thailand, and India. Southeast Asia has shown strong demand, while India—with its growing middle class—could become a major export destination despite logistical hurdles. Industry leaders say diversification isn’t just a strategy anymore—it’s survival.

Arkansas farmer Adam Chappell is sounding the alarm about the financial challenges facing producers across the state. Once farming 8,000 acres with his brother, Chappell now manages about a third of that land as neighbors leave agriculture behind. He says high input costs, low prices, and market consolidation are pushing 30 to 40 percent of farmers toward bankruptcy. Chappell worries the decades-long decline of family farms is accelerating and wonders if he will be next.

Hansen’s Dairy, a seventh-generation Iowa Dairy Farm, operates a creamery that produces butter, cheese curds, and ice cream, along with offering farm tours that include cows and kangaroos. While the farm faces challenges with oversupply of milk, the Hansens are looking at new opportunities. They believe A2A2 milk, which may be easier for some consumers to digest, could help bring in new customers and reduce waste.

Washington rancher and legislator Tom Dent says supporting small farmers requires reducing regulatory burdens while recognizing their role as environmental stewards. He points to rising costs, heavy state-level rules, and the realities of family farms working long hours just to stay afloat. Dent argues that while federal farm programs remain important, they are not enough on their own. A more balanced approach, he says, begins with listening to farmers themselves.

Corn is growing in places it never used to, while Florida citrus has dropped 90% in two decades. Across the country, farmers are experiencing drought, flooding, and billion-dollar weather disasters. Climate Land Leaders, led by Teresa Opheim, brings farmland owners together to focus on soil health, water quality, and land legacy planning—without getting stuck in political debates. Their approach: unitearound conservation so the land can thrive for generations to come.

Farmland analyst Randy Dickhut sees continued strong interest in farmland through late 2025, but expects a modest rise in land available for sale. Financial pressures on some producers and missed earlier market highs could bring more parcels to market. Livestock profits are supporting pastureland values, while crop prices remain under pressure. Buyers may range from neighboring farmers to outside investors, with no large-scale selloff expected.

Farmers in Arkansas are sounding the alarm—and for good reason. While financial stress is widespread across U.S. agriculture, Arkansas is experiencing Chapter 12 bankruptcies at a pace faster than almost any other state.

Dr. Ryan Loy, an agricultural economist at the University of Arkansas, has been tracking the numbers closely. He warns the data likely understates the real picture. “Some farmers aren’t yet reflected in the latest filings,” he told American Farmland Owner. “The stress is worse than what we’re seeing on paper.”

Farmland values across eight Midwest states rose 1.1% in early 2025, according to Farm Credit Services of America’s latest report. But Executive VP Tim Koch says market headwinds—like softer commodity prices and uncertain interest rates—could push values down in the coming months. “It’s a very local market,” he notes, driven by nearby buyers and cautious producer sentiment.

After two decades of fighting for immigration reform, Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout believes change may finally be within reach. Amid chaos and uncertainty for farm employers and their workforce, Naerebout remains focused on creating legal pathways for essential dairy workers. He discusses the unique labor demands of dairy operations and how recent policies from the White House may affect that.

Mike and Cathy Pullins didn’t plan to become Ohio’s berryambassadors, but customers, and life, had other ideas. From double lung transplants to black raspberries and family succession, the couple behind Champaign Berry Farm opens up about why more farmers should consider growing berries and how it might just be the perfect second career. In our interview they discuss:

• Berry crops as a high-value, small-acreage specialty suitable for diversified farms

• Labor seasonality and integrated weed management for perennial fruit systems

• Physiological resilience, aging farmers, and sustainable farm succession models

• Real-world examples of role delineation and adaptive management in family-run horticultural operations