Family Farms Change Hands Amid Generational Shifts

Across New Zealand, several historic family farms are being put up for sale, marking a significant shift in generational farming traditions. Owners have expressed mixed emotions as they transition away from properties that have been in their families for over a century.

At the end of September, the Wendon Valley farm in Waikaka, owned by David and Elizabeth Smith, hit the market. This farm has been part of the Smith family since 1885. Shortly after, the McCall family listed their Viewfield Farm in Waikoikoi for sale, concluding over 113 years of family ownership. Following this, Allan and Noeline Smith announced that Bracken Hill, located just five minutes northeast of Gore, is also on the market, coinciding with its 150th anniversary in the Smith family.

Noeline Smith shared her thoughts with the Otago Daily Times, expressing the sadness that accompanies the decision to sell after 60 years of farming the property. “We don’t have a family member that’s ideally suited to take it over, and that is a very sad thing for us,” she remarked. The couple, both in their 80s, have felt the pressures of modern farming, noting that it is not as straightforward as it once was.

During her visits to various farming conferences, Noeline received advice cautioning against passing on farms to unprepared heirs. “The advice we’d been given… is, if you haven’t got somebody within the family that’s ideally suited for it, do not leave it or encourage them to take it on,” she explained. Her husband, Allan, pointed to the struggles within the sheep industry as a reason their children have chosen not to pursue farming. “We all love sheep, but you still have to have money, don’t you, to run a farm?” he stated.

Elizabeth Smith, from the same region but unrelated to Noeline, revealed her own family’s situation. She and her husband, both in their 60s, have five daughters. “Even if we did have a son, he may not have wanted to go farming either,” she said. With aspirations to enjoy their retirement, travel, and spend time with grandchildren, the couple finds it difficult to part with their 299-hectare property, which David purchased from his parents in 1988. “But we can’t stay there forever,” Elizabeth added.

As these farms list for sale, questions arise regarding whether this trend represents a broader movement within the farming community. Peter Gardyne, who has been leasing Bracken Hill since Allan Smith’s heart attack nearly five years ago, noted that the market has improved compared to previous years, suggesting it might be an opportune time for owners to sell.

The sale of these generational farms reflects changing dynamics within the agricultural sector. With increasing operational challenges and a lack of interested successors, many families are left grappling with the bittersweet decision to let go of their cherished land. The emotional weight of these transitions highlights the importance of family legacy in farming, underscoring a pivotal moment for both the families involved and the wider agricultural community in New Zealand.