U.S. Farmland Markets, Water Rights, and What’s Ahead for Agricultural Real Estate with Court Merrigan
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Reference: Impact Farming
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U.S. Farmland Markets, Water Rights, and What’s Ahead for Agricultural Real Estate with Court Merrigan
In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Tracy sits down with agricultural broker and consultant Court Merrigan from LandVest to explore the evolving landscape of farmland real estate in the United States.
Court shares insights from working across diverse agricultural regions, providing a fascinating high-level view of how farmland markets are responding to economic pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, and changing resource dynamics.
From water scarcity in arid regions to the resilience of diversified farming systems, this conversation offers valuable perspective for farmers, landowners, and investors watching farmland values closely.
In This Episode...
Court’s background in agricultural real estate
- His journey into farmland brokerage and consulting
- Regions and states where he works with farmland transactions
- What makes agricultural real estate unique compared to traditional property markets
U.S. farmland markets in recent years
- How the farmland market performed in 2025 compared to prior years
- Trends in farmland demand, pricing, and buyer behaviour
Political instability and global uncertainty
- How wars, tariffs, and trade tensions are affecting U.S. farmers
- Whether geopolitical uncertainty is slowing or accelerating land purchases
Farmland demand and buyer appetite
- What current buyers are looking for
- Whether uncertainty is making investors cautious or increasing interest in farmland as a hard asset
How 2026 is shaping up
- Current listings and sales activity
- What Court is seeing in the market right now
Water and farmland value
- Why water access is becoming one of the biggest determinants of farmland value in certain regions.
- The importance of irrigation rights and water availability in arid regions
Crop diversity and resilience
- Why regions with more diversified crop systems tend to withstand commodity price shocks better
- What that means for farmland value and long-term stability
Looking ahead
- Court’s outlook for farmland markets through the rest of 2025
- Key trends farmers and landowners should be watching
Farmland is more than just an asset. It’s the foundation of food production, generational wealth, and the future of agriculture. Conversations like this remind us how interconnected global markets, natural resources, and local farming realities truly are.
If you found value in this episode of The Impact Farming Show, please take a moment to subscribe, share the episode with a fellow farmer or industry professional, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue bringing important conversations about agriculture, farm management, and the future of farming to audiences around the world.
Thanks for tuning in,
Tracy
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🔗RESOURCES:
Connect with the Guest
Guest: Court Merrigan
Company: LandVest
Learn more about agricultural brokerage and land advisory services through LandVest.
https://landvest.com/realestate/agent/court-merrigan/
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Thank You to our Show Sponsor
Here at The Impact Farming Show, our goal is to bring our audience the people and ideas that will IMPACT their farming operation. We couldn't do it without the continued support of our sponsors that are committed to supporting our show and our shared vision of helping farmers succeed.
Please take a moment to check out this week's show sponsor: KWS Seeds Canada
Seeding the future – since 1856
Learn more about KWS Seeds Canada:
Website: www.kws.com/ca/en/
Social Media: Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube
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About the Guest:
Court Merrigan
Agricultural Brokerage & Consulting
For public-facing listings, Court deploys a sophisticated marketing engine with a global reach. He positions premier agricultural, recreational, and commercial assets before an international audience of qualified capital, ensuring that productive and legacy properties receive the institutional-grade exposure they deserve. By bridging the gap between the productive realities of the American landscape and the wealth preservation goals of a global market, he ensures his clients capture maximum value.
For those requiring a more private approach, Court provides specialized consultancy and acquisition services focused on non-correlated assets. Much of his business is conducted through proprietary, off-market channels, where he manages private deals for family offices and investors with discretion. Court’s approach is defined by a commitment to the client, the land and a fiduciary-grade focus on the landowner’s legacy.
This strategic perspective is informed by a decade of experience in East Asia and a professional background in regional banking, where Court managed property acquisitions, trusts, and government relations. Fluent in Japanese and Thai, he brings a global lens to domestic land stewardship, extending his reach through a nationwide network of trusted institutional partners to bridge the gap between global capital and the American agricultural landscape.
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* Disclaimer - As always, this information is not intended to provide business or medical advice. To ensure that your own circumstances have been properly considered and that action is taken based on the latest information available, you should obtain professional advice from qualified business or medical professionals before acting on any of the information in this post.
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The Impact Farming Show
Welcome to Impact Farming, Farm Marketer's video and audio show dedicated to helping Canadian farmers excel in the business of farming. Our goal with this show is to introduce our audience to the people and ideas that are going to make an IMPACT on their farming operation.
Show Host - Tracy Brunet
CEO of Farm Marketer
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Tracy and her husband are cattle ranchers in South East, Manitoba. As host of the show, primary producer and agvocate, Tracy is passionate about helping farmers succeed in the business of farming.
In each episode, Tracy chats with today's most successful farm advisors and industry leaders to bring our audience the best and most important ideas.
Connect with Tracy Brunet - Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Linked in
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