YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Texas' rural land in hot demand

By Gary Joiner
Publisher

It’s not surprising so many people want their own piece of Texas.

Statewide rural land sales were up almost 18% in 2021, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.

More than 846,000 acres of rural Texas changed hands last year. That’s an increase of 53% from 2020.

Researchers say it’s the most active period in Texas land market history, and Texas farmers and ranchers see the land rush and impact on production agriculture every day.

The typical rural Texas tract size sold in 2021 was more than 1,300 acres. And prices last year were higher, as well. Up 29% to $3,954 per acre statewide. But some land has sold for even more—upwards of $10,000 per acre.

The rush to buy rural land land makes it especially hard for farmers and ranchers who lease land. They often lose access to the land and their lease to the buyer willing to pay top dollar.

More folks are coming to Texas, too. That puts farms and ranches and their acres in high demand. Once farm and ranch land is developed, it leaves production agriculture forever.

It’s a cruel irony that a burgeoning state and nation that needs more food to feed a growing population is actually gobbling-up the acres it needs to grow that food.

We need to keep private property in agriculture. We need to keep farmers and ranchers on the land, because it’s good for the land, and it’s good for you, me and Texas.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

Media outlets: This content may be used without further permission.