 Tim Cook, executive vice president for the two associations that operate as a collaboration, said, quote, the combination of higher interest rates and tighter margins for grain producers is having an impact on cropland values. Several years of strong profitability created optimism in the real estate market and helped offset the impact of the Fed's rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, end quote. Now, while buyers seem willing to compete for limited land, falling grain prices are shifting attention to the more challenging economic environment.