JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) — The cost of cropland continues to rise in some parts of North Dakota.

A spokesman for a Fargo-based auction service says bidding on a less than half-square-mile tract of land in Stutsman County earlier this week approached nearly $1 million.

John O’Meara of Pifer’s Auction Service says the first parcel included 153 acres, of which 145 acres were cropland. The second parcel was 160 deeded acres with 55 acres of pasture land and 103 acres of cropland.

There were more than 20 bidders registered for the sale.

Noel Johnson, a certified real estate appraiser, saays  interest in owning land is high because of high commodity prices and low interest rates.