Survey information released from the U-S-D-A shows a big increase in farmland values and cash rent. Iowa State University livestock economist, Lee Schulz, says the cropland increased 19-point-seven percent.

Schulz says this is one set of numbers in the overall picture.

He says high commodity prices are one of the big drivers of land values.

Schulz specializes in livestock and says that industry is having an impact on pasture land values.

He says as the commodity prices rise there’s competition for that land. The Fed Reserve recently raised interest rates again and Schulz says that is going to continue to impact land values along with the other factors.

Iowa State releases its annual land value survey in December.