(E1 News) Data published by Smiths Gore suggests that values of equipped farmland in the UK have risen for the first time in more than 12 months in September 2009.

An average price on a piece of equipped farmland in England grew by 4%, to £7,300 per acre in September when compared to the values registered in July. However, the figure is still 10% lower than at the same time in 2008, highlighted head of research at Smiths Gore, Mr. Beedell.

The research showed that rises in farmland values can be explained by the fact that farms, which have recently been marketed, are small. Their value per acre, according to Smiths Gore, is mainly boosted by houses and other building facilities. The firm’s data for the past 3 years reveals that farms with a territory of 200 acres or less have been priced higher than large farms.

This fact, according to Mr. Wordsworth, Smiths Gore’s head of farm agency, speaks in favour of correct lotting of farmland, which, as it turned out, helps boost the value.

The research revealed that in the 3rd quarter of 2009 an average size of marketed farmland reached 214 acres, while it used to be 281 acres in the 2nd quarter and 332 acres in the 4th quarter of 2008.

Bare farmland values remained unchanged, and stayed at £4,800 per acre all over England. Surprisingly, the figure is almost 30% higher than it was during the pre-downturn times.

As for the amount of farmland available for sale in the 4th quarter of 2009, it fell by almost 50% compared to the same time last year, Smiths Gore reported. The most significant decline in the amount of marketed land can be noticed in the South of England – such regions as South East and South West, East of England, and East Midlands. The amount of land brought to market in the North West, Yorkshire, and West Midlands remained almost unchanged from 2008.

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