South Dakota land prices rising as corn demand grows

In South Dakota, pasture land prices are on the rise as a result of increased demand for planting corn, primarily for ethanol and for export. The lack of available land has pushed up both purchase and rental prices as well as feed prices as livestock producers have less pasture land to rely on.

Annual rental rates in east-central South Dakota are nearly $62 per acre compared to $11.65 per acre in southwest South Dakota.