Lincoln University researchers looking into farm succession and governance practices are hoping to come up with some good advice for farmers wrestling with the sometimes thorny issue of how to dispose of the family farm.
They are sending 2500 questionnaires to farmers throughout New Zealand to find out how they are dealing with succession issues.
They also want to learn more from the farmers about how they run their farms.
Researcher Kevin Old said there are lots of stories about families falling out over farm inheritance, but they want to find out what is really going on.
Dr Old said the increasing size of farms can add to the challenges of working out a fair succession arrangement.
