A swing in commodity prices has softened the market a bit for farmland in Illinois. According to a recent study, prices for farmland in Illinois declined by an average of $600 over the last year. While commodity prices have had a significant impact on land values, location and quality remain major influencers on land values. Analysts say that when higher quality farmland becomes available, it remains highly sought after and pricing remains pretty stable while mid- to lower-level quality land decline 3 to 8 percent. There has been an increase among investor groups adding acres to their respective portfolios, which is good news for landowners. The report says that all indications show that farmland will continue to be viewed as a very favorable/viable investment.