Approximately 272 acres of high quality tillable land sold in Carroll County recently for $1.82 million or $6,687 per acre.

Thirty bidders spent more than an hour competing for the land, according to Rex Schrader, president of Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company, Columbia City, the firm conducting the auction.

"This was high-quality land, with a soil index of 129 for corn," said Schrader. "Even with that taken into consideration, it's still clear that this was another example of the remarkable strength we're seeing in land values. Despite a troubled economy and lower prices for corn and soybeans, investors are continuing to recognize the longterm value and stability of agricultural land."

The property, located along CR 100N. and CR 625 between Delphi and Flora, sold in four tracts to three different bidders. Prices ranged from $5,680 per acre to $7,639 per acre.