After dropping modestly in 2009, U.S. farm real estate value this year is up 1.4% from the start of 2009, at $2,140, USDA reports. At the two extremes, the Northern Plains rose the most, 4.9%, while the Southeast fell 3.3%. Cropland increased $30 to $2,700 nationally; a strong 6.9% in the Northern Plains and 6.6% in the Delta.

Cash rents didn’t take a break in their upward trend in 2009 and they rose for the fourth year in a row in 2010. At $102, cropland cash rents are up $3. Appalachia had the largest ash rent increase—7.6%. The Northern Plains is up $2.50.acre to $71 and the Corn Belt, $3 to $152.

Nationally, pasture value was unchanged, at $1,070, but the Southeast fell 5.6%, while the Northern Plains rose 3.8%. Rent also was unchanged, at an average of $11/acre.

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