Farm sales are dropping off although in most cases the price per hectare is increasing.

Nationally there has been a 16% drop in farm sales over the last year.

But the median price per hectare has risen to around $30,000 overall.

Dairy is bucking that trend with values falling 13.6% in the last 12 months.

In Otago there's steady activity in finishing and grazing properties but a cautious buyer approach seems to be slowing sales.