Who Is Buying Land?
Survey responses showed 54% of farmland buyers planned to farm the land themselves (Map 4). This is a 4% increase over 2007. The number planning to rent out the land and the number planning to use for non-farm purposes both declined by 2%. Comments indicated weakness in the general economy, fuel prices, and problems in financial markets discouraged purchases for homesites or investment, but strong grain prices encouraged farmers to purchase land. Outlook (Map 6.) Most respondents were skeptical that farmland values will continue to increase at the rate of the past few years-citing concerns about the general economy, increasing fuel and input costs, and volatility in grain prices. They expect the average value for all Missouri farmland to increase 1.5%, with cropland up 3%, but pasture up only 0.2%, and other types of farmland falling 0.2%. Comments from respondents indicate the positive factors influencing farmland prices are not felt equally over the state. Areas with very little good
