The agricultural equipment market is experiencing a remarkable recovery in 2025, defying early predictions and showcasing surprising strength across multiple categories. This episode of America's Land Auctioneer dives deep into these market dynamics with Chris Bair, Regional Manager at Pifer's Worthington-Sioux falls office, who shares firsthand insights from recent highly successful auctions.

Bair reveals how their March auction became "the strongest sale in almost five years," setting the stage for a robust spring season. The conversation explores the fascinating phenomenon of pre-COVID equipment commanding premium prices, with examples like a 2012 John Deere 4830 sprayer recently fetching $171,000—breaking a three-year price ceiling. Meanwhile, newer equipment faces accelerated depreciation of $1,000-1,500 per hour, creating a market environment where quality used machinery has become increasingly attractive to buyers calculating operational costs.

The heart of the discussion focuses on auction methodologies and how Pifer's has evolved to maximize returns for sellers while maintaining their commitment to the live auction experience. Despite technological advances, over 50% of auction value still comes from on-site buyers, and research indicates roughly 16% of American farms lack internet access altogether. This reality has shaped Pifer's hybrid approach—combining the energy and momentum of live auctions with sophisticated online bidding platforms that together engage up to 1,400 bidders per event.

Particularly fascinating is the company's strategic pivot from timed online-only auctions to "live online" formats that allow equipment to remain at owners' locations while still benefiting from live auctioneer engagement and multiple bidding platforms. As Bair eloquently states, "Technology should never replace the auctioneer. Technology should always complement the auctioneer."

The episode concludes with previews of upcoming auctions, including the May 13th Summer Equipment Auction in Worthington featuring construction equipment, vehicles, and recreational items, along with several farm retirement auctions throughout the Upper Midwest. Whether you're looking to buy or sell agricultural equipment, this episode provides valuable market intelligence and strategic insights that could significantly impact your next auction experience.

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Beneath the expansive North Dakota skies, a transformative mega-project is reshaping the landscape and future of the Red River Valley. The Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion Project stands as one of America's most ambitious civil engineering undertakings – a 30-mile channel designed to protect communities from the devastating floods that have repeatedly threatened homes and livelihoods.

Gil Gilbert from ASN Constructors takes us behind the scenes of this monumental project, revealing the staggering scale of operations that most observers can barely glimpse from nearby highways. "We're moving 45 million cubic yards of excavation," Gilbert explains, painting a picture of massive earth-moving that would cover the entire NDSU campus with several feet of soil. The $130+ million investment in locally-purchased equipment includes specialized excavators so large they require five separate truckloads just to transport to the site. These machines operate 24/7, accumulating 8,000 hours in just two years before retirement – a testament to their relentless workload.

What makes this project particularly fascinating are the extreme challenges overcome through engineering ingenuity. Construction continues year-round despite temperatures plunging to -50°F, where metal components crack under stress and excavation equipment battles ice chunks that can cause $100,000+ in damage with a single impact. The Red River Valley's notorious clay soils present their own obstacles, requiring specialized techniques like discing mud to facilitate drying. Surprisingly, winter operations often achieve higher production rates than summer work, thanks to expertise brought in from mining operations in Northern Canada. The project employs a diverse workforce, including local farmers during winter months, international experts, and NDSU graduates through internship programs.

When completed in 2027, this infrastructure marvel will deliver far more than flood protection. The diversion channel will feature recreational trails and parks, creating lasting community amenities alongside its primary purpose of eliminating the need for flood insurance in Fargo-Moorhead. Though designed to be used for flood protection only once every 20-50 years, its daily impact on regional resilience and quality of life represents a blueprint for how modern civil engineering can transform environmental vulnerabilities into opportunities. Ready to witness this extraordinary transformation firsthand? Take a drive along I-94 or I-29 to glimpse the future of Fargo-Moorhead taking shape before your eyes.

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Agricultural land values across the Upper Midwest are showing remarkable resilience, with recent auction results highlighting the market's continued strength. From Burke County farmland bringing $3,400 per acre to an exceptional Emmons County property fetching $7,500 per acre, today's buyers are proving willing to pay premium prices for quality land.

The pattern is clear throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota – premium cropland continues to command top dollar while more marginal properties sell for predictably lower values. This growing price disparity reveals how sophisticated agricultural investors have become in evaluating productivity potential, soil quality, and long-term value. In Wells County, quality cropland sold for $3,100 per acre while nearby pasture land brought $1,250, perfectly illustrating this market dynamic.

Even more impressive has been the extraordinary machinery market we're witnessing this spring. Four-wheel drive tractors remain the stars of equipment auctions, with well-maintained units bringing stellar prices. A John Deere 9560R with 2,500 hours sold for $240,000 at our Bowman consignment sale, while a 2015 model 9620R with similar hours fetched $275,000 at a farm retirement auction.

The transportation segment has been particularly remarkable, with semi-trailers reaching unprecedented values. A 2012 Wilson grain trailer recently sold for $50,000, and even older cattle trailers from the late 1990s are bringing $30,000 to $50,000. This reflects both limited new inventory and the essential nature of these assets for agricultural operations.

Looking ahead, we highlight several exciting opportunities for buyers, including a 3,000-acre working ranch auction in Golden Valley County on May 8th and an extraordinary 840-acre property in Custer County with direct views of Mount Rushmore coming up in July. Whether you're a farmer expanding operations, an investor seeking agricultural assets, or someone dreaming of your own piece of the Black Hills, these upcoming sales offer rare opportunities to acquire exceptional properties.

Join us each week for the latest insights on land and equipment markets across the region, and visit Pifers.com to explore our complete inventory of upcoming auctions and past results.

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Step into the fast-paced world of agricultural auctions with this engaging conversation between host Jim Sabe and special guest Cliff Sanders, a veteran livestock auctioneer who recently joined the Pifer's team. Their friendship spans decades, beginning at auctioneer school in Mankato, Minnesota, where both men stood out wearing cowboy hats among their classmates.

The auction market remains remarkably strong despite economic uncertainties. A recent Fent tractor sold for $395,000, highlighting how premium equipment still commands top dollar. The podcast showcases several upcoming sales, including the Sheely auction in Drake featuring pristine 2017-2019 John Deere equipment that was professionally maintained and stored indoors. Another upcoming sale in Mandan features a 2012 Bobcat with just 35 hours – virtually new despite its age.

Sanders brings a distinctive livestock auctioneer's cadence to machinery sales, maintaining the faster pace that livestock auctioneers are known for. His territory covers eastern North Dakota, including the Devil's Lake region where he previously worked at the auction barn. Throughout the conversation, both auctioneers emphasize that live auctions with online bidding consistently outperform online-only formats, drawing buyers from across North America.

The social dimension of auctions emerges as a central theme. As Albert Roerick from Pifer's Steel location explains, "Building relationships is the main thing with all the sellers, buyers." These relationships extend beyond individual sales, with auctioneers often connecting buyers with specific equipment they're seeking. In rural communities, auctions serve as gathering places where neighbors reconnect, highlighting their importance beyond just commerce.

Join us to discover why quality farm equipment continues to bring strong prices, how the hybrid auction model maximizes returns, and why the personal connections forged at rural auctions remain irreplaceable in our increasingly digital world. Check out Piferscom for upcoming sales across the Upper Midwest!

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Farming isn't just about what you grow above ground—it's also about what lies beneath. The fertility of your soil could be worth thousands in tax savings through a little-known provision that's been hiding in plain sight for over 60 years.

Stephanie Scherbinski from Arthur Companies joins us to unpack Section 180 of the IRS tax code, a powerful tax strategy allowing farmers to depreciate soil nutrients when purchasing farmland. While farmers have long been able to depreciate equipment, buildings, and improvements, the land itself has traditionally offered few tax advantages—until now.

We explore how this overlooked tax provision works in practice. When you purchase farmland, comprehensive soil testing can identify valuable nutrients—from nitrogen and phosphorus to zinc and boron—that represent a depreciable asset. The numbers are striking: farmers in the Red River Valley are seeing deduction values of $1,800-$1,900 per acre, while those in central North Dakota average around $1,200 per acre. On a quarter section of land, that could mean tax savings approaching $100,000 for farmers in higher tax brackets.

Stephanie walks us through who qualifies (active farmers, inherited land) and who doesn't (gifted land), while addressing common questions about the process. Unlike some tax strategies, Section 180 can be utilized repeatedly as land changes hands through inheritance, creating multi-generational tax advantages for farm families.

As land prices continue to climb and margins tighten, this tax strategy could be the competitive edge farmers need when expanding operations or helping the next generation get started. Whether you purchased land recently or years ago, Section 180 might be the financial tool you've been overlooking.

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The agricultural land market is defying conventional wisdom. Despite economic headwinds and rising interest rates, farmland values are reaching unprecedented levels across the Midwest, with premium soils commanding exceptional prices at recent auctions.

A Clay County farm recently sold near $9,000 per acre while Lamoure County land exceeded $7,000 per crop acre - both representing some of the strongest results ever seen in their respective markets. What's driving these remarkable numbers? The answer lies primarily in soil quality. Properties featuring loam-based soils continue attracting intense competition from both neighboring farmers and outside investors who recognize the long-term productivity such land offers.

Tax planning has become increasingly critical for landowners contemplating a sale. Many current sellers purchased their land decades ago for a fraction of today's values, creating potential tax liabilities that require careful consideration. Proactive strategies like 1031 tax-deferred exchanges can help manage these implications effectively. Without proper planning, tax obligations can substantially reduce net proceeds from even the most successful auction.

On the rental front, rates have generally maintained stability across the Northern Plains despite some downward pressure from current commodity prices. The pastureland rental market has been particularly strong, supported by healthy cattle prices and continued demand for quality grazing opportunities. This rental stability further reinforces investor confidence in farmland as a reliable income-producing asset.

Looking ahead to spring, an impressive lineup of equipment auctions features several notable retirement sales with exceptionally well-maintained machinery. These sales present valuable opportunities for producers looking to upgrade their operations without the premium costs of new equipment.

Despite various challenges facing agriculture today, professionals remain cautiously optimistic about both land values and farming opportunities. Their advice: stay focused on operational excellence and long-term planning rather than becoming distracted by short-term market volatility or political noise. Those who approach the market with patience, prudence, and a commitment to quality management will likely continue to see farmland demonstrate its enduring value.

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The agricultural land market demonstrates remarkable resilience in early 2024, despite ongoing concerns about tariffs, interest rates, and commodity price fluctuations. In this information-packed episode, we dive deep into current farmland trends with special guest Jim Rothermich, "The Iowa Land Guy," who tracks every land auction in Iowa and provides crucial market insights.

Rothermich reveals that Northwest Iowa continues to see premium farmland prices exceeding $20,000 per acre, driven primarily by local producers rather than outside investors. This producer-dominated market reflects the strategic importance of land acquisition beyond simple ROI calculations—farmers recognize that expansion opportunities may be once-in-a-lifetime chances. Despite rising interest rates reducing the buyer pool somewhat, most transactions still involve significant cash positions from farmers with strong balance sheets.

The conversation shifts to recent auction results across several states, showcasing the tremendous range in current land values. From recreational properties selling for $3,800/acre in Pembina County, North Dakota, to premium farmland reaching $12,500/acre in Brown County, Minnesota, and multi-parcel offerings near Moorhead bringing $9,600/acre, the market demonstrates continued strength across diverse property types.

Hosts Steve Link and Andy Murdock share exciting details about upcoming auctions, including a 3,000-acre ranch property in Golden Valley County and a unique 840-acre offering near Custer State Park in South Dakota featuring parcels with direct views of Mount Rushmore. The episode provides valuable perspective on market trends, buyer motivations, and what both sellers and purchasers should consider in today's dynamic land market.

Discover why agricultural real estate continues to attract strong interest despite economic headwinds, and gain insights that could help you make more informed decisions about your land assets. Visit piferscom to explore complete details on upcoming land and equipment auctions mentioned in this episode.

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The heartbeat of southwest North Dakota pulses through the iconic white grain elevators of the Scranton Equity Exchange. For 110 years, this cooperative has adapted, evolved, and expanded to remain the cornerstone of its community—a testament to rural resilience in an ever-changing agricultural landscape.

General Manager Ben Hetzel takes us behind the scenes of this remarkable operation that stretches far beyond a typical grain elevator. From its robust feed plant that once defined the company to its modern grocery store, C-stores, lumber yard, and truck shop, the Scranton Equity embodies the diverse needs of the communities it serves. What truly sets this cooperative apart is its forward-thinking approach to agricultural services, especially evident in its recently completed 24,000-ton fertilizer storage facility.

The fertilizer plant represents a quantum leap from the days of 50-pound bags of Elephant Brand fertilizer unloaded manually from rail cars. Today's automated system allows for precision blending in seconds, delivering higher quality products with greater efficiency. This forward-thinking investment allows the cooperative to ship fertilizer as far as the Canadian border and deep into Montana, turning Scranton into a hub for agricultural inputs across the Northern Plains.

Looking ahead, the horizon of Scranton is set to change again with plans for a new slip elevator and additional dump pits designed to improve traffic flow and accommodate the increasingly diverse crop mix grown in southwest North Dakota. From traditional wheat and durum to newer crops like corn, canola, and pulses, the cooperative continues to evolve with its producer-members.

What makes the story of Scranton Equity particularly compelling is how it balances technological advancement with community service—maintaining vital services like its beloved bakery and meat department while investing in cutting-edge agricultural technology. It's a formula that has sustained this cooperative for over a century and positions it for generations to come. Discover how rural businesses can thrive by embracing change while honoring their community roots.

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Contact the team at Pifer's