Farmland value in the United States continues on an upward trajectory, paving the way for agricultural development in the country. As per the United States Department of Agriculture, the value of farm real estate averaged $4,170 per acre in 2024. With the value of agricultural land going upward, the opportunity for selling and buying such lands has also increased. Earlier established as a traditional auction firm, Schrader Auction has continued to evolve and emerge as a multi-tract auctioning company specializing in auctioning agricultural lands. With its innovative approaches as the cornerstone of its transactions, Schrader has transformed the auction industry to help its clients reach maximum value for their assets.
Schrader Auction’s multi-dimensional approach to auctioning has titled it as one of the ‘Most Innovative Companies to Watch 2025’ by The CEO Views. Let’s have an insight into its impeccable journey in the auction industry that validates this achievement in all the best ways possible.
A Journey to Auctioneering
Established by Denzil Schrader in 1944, Schrader Auction remained a client-centric auction company since its inception. Upholding the principle of offering solutions to client’s problems, the company rises above the boilerplate processes, looking at each transaction as unique. Schrader Auction commenced its journey as a traditional livestock and estate auction company but later expanded into a “multi-tract” auction firm. During the 80s, Rex Schrader and Gene Klingman devised the multi-tract auction process. This process allowed the delivery of large portfolios of agricultural land in numerous tracts that could be bid on in any combination, even as a whole property.
The multi-tract process enabled both small farmers and large institutions to participate. It exceeds clients’ expectations by ensuring sellers meet the higher asset values and buyers get complete flexibility in purchasing as per their choices. RD Schrader, CEO of Schrader Auction, states, “Today, we have focused on consistently improving technology through the process for a quicker and more efficient system.”
A Client-Centric Service Approach
The company embraces the combination of “new school and old school” approaches, which has given it a leg up. Recently, it has expanded its services to the commercial land transaction sector, achieving irreproachable success there.
It sells both land and equipment through auction and private transaction processes. The in-house marketing and appraisal team, print department, legal counsel, and auction day staff allow the company to execute these processes. As a one-stop shop for clients looking to dispose of land and agricultural-oriented businesses, Schrader Auction has emerged as a renowned auction company in the country.
Breaking Down Barriers
The land auction industry is in continuous need of extensive research. Auction companies must adopt rigorous research to get a good gr asp on the worth of a farm with alternative uses of solar, data centers, and more. A company lacking in research into various areas of the energy infrastructure can leave significant dollars on the table for its clients. Schrader Auction has established strong relationships with energy experts in the industry to cohesively understand the potential energy upside a farm may or may not have.
Espousing Innovation
The company prefers to try new methods in its process, such as advertising and value approaches, and works with the mentality that it has never “arrived.” Continuous learning and observing trends are the keys to Schrader Auction’s innovation. To keep pace with the rapid industry changes, the company continuously keeps an eye on the changing trends.
Schrader Auction embraces innovation through its multi-tract auctions, executed at a unique scale. Recently, the firm coordinated a $46 million sale offered in 103 tracts in a two-day setting. Apart from these, Schrader Auction has conducted several land auctions above $25 million and two auctions that exceeded $50 million. The immense successes of the company validate its unique approach to innovation.
Reaping a Culture of Innovation
Schrader Auction’s primary focus is to have a healthy mix of innovation and consistency in its culture. As RD pointed out, “We do not want to stray too far from our core focuses and values that we lose sight of the basics of our client solutions.” At the same time, the company refuses to be complacent to this approach, identifying that it can never take it through the next 80 years as it is doing now. RD considers it to be a fine line to cross.
Schrader Auction has a great team that is willing to do whatever it takes to give a successful transaction to clients. The team comprises in-house professionals from both non-farming and farming backgrounds, sharing a common value of establishing genuine relationships. This culture reaped by the company has helped it embrace innovation through its service delivery.
Envisaging the Future Position
As the demand for land continues to grow, and the nature of it being a limited supply asset, the auction method should continue to be a positive transaction medium. Envisioning such a future, Schrader Auction plans to be in a position where it can combine its past experiences with new and growing technology and relationships.
Navigating Entrepreneurs
As an innovator, the company advises aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs to always keep their clients in mind. RD believes one can ‘look’ good and be as flashy as one wants to be, but failing to put the clients first can prove to be disastrous. According to him, solving clients’ problems should be the main motto of entrepreneurs to ensure their sustainability in the industry lasts longer.
