Whitley County Indiana farmland brings $3.5 million in Schrader auction

SOUTH WHITLEY, Indiana (April 7, 2026) - Approximately 262 acres of farmland in Whitley County, Indiana, sold for $3,530,000 with Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company conducting the event.

The property, the former farm of Virgil and Janel Hicks, was offered in seven individual tracts and combinations along Henry Road, approximately five miles south of South Whitley.

"This was an excellent result driven by the quality of the soils and strong local demand," said Kevin Jordan, auction manager. "Eighty percent Blount and Pewamo soils - that's what these buyers were looking for in farmland."

The auction attracted 24 registered bidders from four states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Two buyers acquired the property in two combinations. Tracts 1, 2, and 3 - approximately 159 tillable acres - sold for $2,085,000, or approximately $13,080 per acre. The remaining four tracts, totaling approximately 110 acres, brought $1,445,000, or approximately $13,090 per acre.

"We had buyers that were both operators and investors, showing the continued demand for farmland from both buyer classes," said R.D. Schrader, president of Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company. "During this period of tighter profit margins for farm incomes it is encouraging to see a desire to buy from operators and investors."

The property featured productive tillable farmland with established waterways, woods for hunting and recreation, and immediate possession for the 2026 farming season.

Individuals seeking additional information about buying or selling in Schrader auctions may visit www.schraderauction.com or call 800-451-2709.

Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company, based in Columbia City, Indiana, is a leading auctioneer of agricultural land and equipment throughout the United States. The company is a five-time USA Today/National Auctioneers Association Auction of the Year winner.

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