With the average age of New Zealand farmers pushing 60, and land values on a steady increase, it’s no surprise succession planning is currently top-of-mind for the agricultural industry.

Interest in dairy sheep is slowly but surely rising in New Zealand, claims real estate company Bayleys.

The median price for dairy farms per hectare has risen 50% over the past 12 months, says the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).

Orchard values are going through the roof compared even with pre-Psa levels, says Zespri chief operating officer Simon Limmer.

Mount Cook Station has been sold to a local couple who intend to farm it themselves.

The next couple of months could be a telling time for decisions on dairy farm sales, says Real Estate Institute of NZ rural spokesman Brian Peacocke.

A drop in the primary produce commodity price index will scarcely affect land prices, says the real estate industry.

THE REAL Estate Institute of New Zealand's dairy farm price index is up 34.4% year on year, figures released for the three months ending October show.

THE MEDIAN FARM price per hectare rose 10% from March to April to $24,574, says the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

A 202ha, FLAT, dry-stock farm, described as one of the most admired in the Wairarapa, sold under the hammer last week at $5.61 million, well in excess of its $4.8 million 2011 government valuation.