For Sale: Utah’s Trees Ranch

Sitting among brilliantly colored sandstone cliffs, towering monoliths and grand temples is the iconic 2,066-acre Trees Ranch. Adjoining Zion National Park in Springdale, this Utah ranch for sale has recently been reduced to $25 million. This unique ranch offers multiple uses, ranging from a private retreat with conservation values to a world class resort destination.

“The surrounding Zion National Park and Canaan Mountain Wilderness virtually assures the pristine nature of the property forever. You cannot ask for better protection, privacy, ecological resources, or scenic beauty than what you will find at Trees Ranch,” said listing ranch broker, Ken Mirr of Mirr Ranch Group.

A prime model of exemplary stewardship, this meticulously assembled ranch for sale with its scenic landscapes, valuable water rights, 60-acre lake, over six miles of river, irrigated fields and orchards, and historical sites, offers an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have your very own national park. Trees Ranch also features inimitable architecture reflecting the geology, history and vernacular of the area. To protect the wilderness aesthetics of the ranch, power, phone and irrigation lines are buried beneath the roads.

According to Jason Corzine of The Trust for Public Land, “The Trees Ranch is one of the most unique ranch properties in the Southwestern United States. The ranch’s proximity to Zion National Park makes it the ultimate conservation and recreation property – a true one of a kind.”

The listing price for Trees Ranch has been reduced to $25 million. For more information, contact Ken Mirr at (877) 623-4545 or Ken@MirrRanchGroup.com, or visit www.MirrRanchGroup.com.

*Photos by Ken Mirr

Sold! Oklahoma’s Waurika Farms

APRIL 12, 2012 UPDATE:

Hall & Hall Auctions auctioned Waurika Farms, one of the largest beef production operations in the Southern Oklahoma, for a whopping $11 million ($1,833 per acre). Pre-sale estimates ranged from $1,300 to $1,500 per acre. Owned by Oklahoma’s Drummond family, the 7,000-acre farm includes 3,300 acres of wheat land and 2,700 acres of Bermuda grass and native species. “We were also able to sell all of the equipment above the sale price,” says Auctioneer Scott Shuman, who noted that 15 registered bidders attended.

MARCH 14, 2012 POST:

Waurika Farms is one of the largest cattle operations in the area, historically producing two million pounds of beef annually.

At 7,000± acres, Waurika Farms, which is the family beef operation of the well-known Drummond family of Oklahoma. This expertly designed and efficient 21st century stocker cattle operation can run between 8,000 and 10,000 head of stocker cattle annually.

The acreage of this property is comprised of 1,000 acres of privately leased land of native grass, approximately 3,300 acres of wheat land, and about 2,700 acres in mostly Bermuda grass and native species. There are also over 60 ponds throughout the property in the wheat traps and grass traps, providing an excellent source of water for the livestock.

Created to maximize beef production in the most efficient way possible, Waurika Farms includes 30 miles of new fence laid out to accommodate cattle movement with a minimal number of employees. The property also includes a modern headquarters with a good set of pens and scales, a 28,000-sq.-ft. shop building, a covered arena, an outdoor working arena, and the owner’s home. There are five other working pens and two other sets of scales on the farm.

Auction Date: April 12, 2012 at 1:30 PM CST
Information Dates: March 21, 2012 and March 29, 2012 from 1-4 PM CST
Location: Waurika Farms Headquarters, Waurika, OK

For more information or to request a showing, contact Scott Shuman at (800) 829-8747, John Wildin at (620) 662-0411, or visit www.HallHall.com.

Land Report Top Ten: March 2012

From the Pacific to the Southwest, here are America’s priciest properties, led by $175 million Jackson Land and Cattle Ranch, which is listed by Hall and Hall. New to the list, and pictured above, is the Broken O Ranch in the Lone Star State of Texas.

1. Jackson Land and Cattle: $175 million

These 1,750 acres are simply the most phenomenal property to come to the market in the Teton Valley in decades. Jackson Land and Cattle is one-of-a-kind in every respect: world-class improvements, including an equestrian center designed by Jonathan Foote, AIA; lack of any development restrictions; and don’t forget the stunning Teton views. Hall and Hall’s John Pierce has the listing.

2. Broken O Ranch (Montana): $132.5 million

At 123,000 acres, this ranch has been in the making for the past 20 years. With its expansive cattle and farming operation, this ranch currently carries 3,500 mother cows plus 800 replacement heifers and 200 range bulls. The Broken O Ranch also contains Montana’s largest block of irrigated land, approximately 13,000 acres, and has historically averaged 25,000 tons of alfalfa hay and 700,000 bushels of small grain crops annually. Mike Swan of Bates Sanders Swan Land Company has the listing.

3. Walton Ranch: $100 million

This 1,848-acre working cattle ranch was pieced together by the Walton family beginning in 1958. The family placed the ranch under conservation easement in 1983. Billy Long and Ron Morris of Ranch Marketing Associates have the listing.

4. Ranch Dos Pueblos: $84 million

This oceanfront parcel is on the market for the first time in three decades. Spanning 2,175 acres just west of Santa Barbara, it’s one of the largest remaining ranches along the breathtaking Gaviota Coast. Kerry Mormann & Associates has the listing.

5. Broken O Ranch (Texas): $81 million

Located in Boerne, Texas, the historic Broken O Ranch is one of Texas’ finest ranches on the market today. Featuring breathtaking views that only the Texas Hill Country has to offer, this ranch is also home to an array of wildlife. Trip duPerier with duPerier Texas Land Man, LLC has the listing.

6. Big Creek Ranch: $59.9 million

Only eight miles from Steamboat Springs, 5,034-acre Big Creek Ranch offers rainbow and brook trout fishing along five miles of Big Creek as well as a half-mile of the Elk River. National forest borders 85 percent of the property, offering easy access to an additional 150,000 acres of pristine wilderness, including world-class trout fishing and hunting for elk and mule deer. A mix of forest and meadows provides ideal wildlife habitat and summer pasturage. Listed by Ron Morris and Billy Long of Ranch Marketing Associates.

7. Hana Ranch: $55 million

This 4,500-acre working ranch on eastern Maui surrounds the town of Hana. The property boasts two miles of Pacific oceanfront and rises over 2,200 feet up the slopes of Haleakala. Dan Omer of Island Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.

8. Rockpile Ranch: $54.5 million

For only the third time in over a century, this 55,374-acre cattle ranch in the Davis Mountains of Far West Texas is on the market. Since 1992, the Rockpile has been owned by McCoy Remme Ranches (No. 41 on the 2011 Land Report 100). James King of King Land and Water is the listing agent.

9. Aspen Valley Ranch: $52 million

Billed as the largest ranch near Aspen in the Roaring Fork Valley, this ranch boasts senior water rights as well as over 800 acres and is located just 10 minutes from the Aspen airport. Joshua Saslove of Joshua & Co. has the listing.

10. Dana Ranch: $45 million

With only two distinguished owners in nearly 100 years and an unmatched record of profitability, the Dana is considered by many to be the finest operating and recreational ranch in the Rocky Mountain West. Supporting 3,000 animal units on 59,000± acres, it boasts over 13 miles of superb fisheries and an incredible diversity of wildlife resources from elk to waterfowl to upland birds. Listed by Dave Johnson with Hall and Hall.

Click here to download a copy of the March 2012 newsletter.

Oregon’s Columbia River Wetlands Restoration Project

Over 70 years ago, a dike was built to turn Columbia River wetlands into farms. But the tide is about to change with a restoration project that will return the land to the kind of wetlands that help young salmon rest and grow.

Purchased by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Columbia Land Trust for $5.3 million, the 920-acre Columbia Stock Ranch is the biggest, single habitat acquisition in the Columbia estuary in 40 years. The BPA, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Native American tribes have been combing the Columbia basin for habitat projects to mitigate dam operations that have led to the placement of 13 runs of salmon and steelhead on endangered or threatened lists.

This year, the Columbia Land Trust, BPA and the U.S. Army Corps will develop their plan for restoring the ranch and will include opportunities for public comment on the project. Work will begin in 2013 and is expected to take at least five years to complete.

Evlon Childs, project manager for the U.S. Army Corps, says of the project: “The land was totally disconnected from the river. Now we are trying to reconnect it so nature can take care of itself.”

To read more, click here.

Vistas: Wyoming’s Rome Hill Ranch

The Rome Hill Ranch is located in Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin in Washakie County on the west slope of the Big Horn Mountains. The ranch lies approximately 12 miles southeast of the charming little cowboy town of Ten Sleep, Wyoming. This area is known for its true western heritage and lifestyle. Mixed with Native American and ranching history, Ten Sleep’s fertile soils, abundant artesian wells and various creeks, rivers and waterways provide the ideal Wyoming setting for ranching and raising livestock.

The Rome Hill Ranch acreage is as diverse as Wyoming’s varied landscapes. Controlling over 20,000 acres, of which 9,342 is deeded and contiguous; the ranch’s varied terrain makes this property unique. The ranch goes through a transformation from its lower acreage to its high country pastures. The base elevation at 4,800 feet is comprised of 400 irrigated acres of meadows, creek, spring-fed lush pastures and wetlands. It rises to hillsides, rock outcroppings with junipers and dense dark timber at 7,500 feet. One of the ranch’s most notable natural resources is the canyon; this particular region of Wyoming is well known for its abundance of natural aquifers and limestone canyons.

Built and designed under current ownership, the main home and guesthouse were strategically placed on 5 acres that are beautifully manicured and landscaped. The owner’s compound is fenced and gated, complete with underground sprinkler system and newly-enhanced and stocked trout pond between the two homes. The setting is slightly elevated, providing dramatic views of the ranch in every direction.

The Rome Hill Ranch is very unique, as it offers something special for anglers. For the fisherman, the ranch includes approximately 7 miles of meandering, private Spring Creek with populations of brown, cutthroat and brook trout. There are many springs that feed the creek as it descends through the property, keeping the water clear and cool throughout the year.

The abundant wildlife of Rome Hill adds magnificent value to the overall experience on the ranch. Herds of elk, Mule deer and antelope are practically present year round. The average elk herd has ranged from 300 to 800 animals. In 2010, it is said that a game warden counted upwards of 1,200 elk on the property.

Representing one of the finest working cattle ranches and mixed-use sporting properties in the West, the Rome Hill Ranch is a one-of-a-kind offering.

Rome Hill Ranch is listed with Live Water Properties for $15 million.

For Sale: Diamond B River Ranch

The majestic Diamond B River Ranch resides in the center of the Paradise Valley of the Northern Rockies, arguably the most scenic valley in Montana and noted for its abundant wildlife and fishing opportunities.

With beautiful views of the 10,921-foot Emigrant Peak towering above the landscape, significant Yellowstone River frontage and riparian areas, flowing spring waters, and close proximity to Yellowstone Park, Bozeman, and Livingston, the Diamond B has many assets that make it more valuable than most cattle operations could imagine.

“Standing on the bluff on the Diamond B property with views up and down the Yellowstone River and jagged peaks all around takes your breath away,” observes Greg Fay, of Fay Ranches, the listing brokerage. “With fine dining at Chico Hot Springs just 5 minutes from the ranch and Yellowstone Park just 20 minutes south, it’s tough to beat the location. It is not often that a ranch of this quality and size comes on the market in the Paradise Valley. This one is priced at an excellent value.”

The ranch, which includes 1± miles of Yellowstone River frontage, currently runs Angus cattle as well as bison and longhorn. It consists of 2031± deeded acres of spring dry land pasture, pivot, wheel and hand line irrigated hay and grass. The 550± acres of irrigated ground can produce 1,200 to 1,500 tons of hay per year with two cuttings. About 200± acres make up the riverfront riparian area where the ranch manager’s home, barns, corrals, two ponds, and springs are located.

Listing price currently is $12,500,000. For more information about this property, visit www.FayRanches.com.

Land Report Top Ten: February 2012

From the Lone Star State to Hawaii, here are America’s priciest properties, led by $175 million Jackson Land and Cattle Ranch, which is listed by Hall and Hall. Two new properties have joined this mix: Broken O Ranch in Montana and Hudye Farms along the Colorado-Kansas state line.

1. Jackson Land and Cattle: $175 million

These 1,750 acres are simply the most phenomenal property to come to the market in the Teton Valley in decades. Jackson Land and Cattle is one-of-a-kind in every respect: world-class improvements, including an equestrian center designed by Jonathan Foote, AIA; lack of any development restrictions; and don’t forget the stunning Teton views. Hall and Hall’s John Pierce has the listing.

2. Broken O Ranch: $132.5 million

At 123,000 acres, this ranch (pictured above) has been in the making for the past 20 years. With its expansive cattle and farming operation, this ranch currently carries 3,500 mother cows plus 800 replacement heifers and 200 range bulls. The Broken O Ranch also contains Montana’s largest block of irrigated land, approximately 13,000 acres, and has historically averaged 25,000 tons of alfalfa hay and 700,000 bushels of small grain crops annually. Mike Swan of Bates Sanders Swan Land Company has the listing.

3. Walton Ranch: $100 million

This 1,848-acre working cattle ranch was pieced together by the Walton family beginning in 1958. The family placed the ranch under conservation easement in 1983. Billy Long and Ron Morris of Ranch Marketing Associates have the listing.

4. Ranch Dos Pueblos: $84 million

This oceanfront parcel is on the market for the first time in three decades. Spanning 2,175 acres just west of Santa Barbara, it’s one of the largest remaining ranches along the breathtaking Gaviota Coast. Kerry Mormann & Associates has the listing.

5. Big Creek Ranch: $59.9 million

Only eight miles from Steamboat Springs, 5,034-acre Big Creek Ranch offers rainbow and brook trout fishing along five miles of Big Creek as well as a half-mile of the Elk River. National forest borders 85 percent of the property, offering easy access to an additional 150,000 acres of pristine wilderness, including world-class trout fishing and hunting for elk and mule deer. A mix of forest and meadows provides ideal wildlife habitat and summer pasturage. Listed by Ron Morris and Billy Long of Ranch Marketing Associates.

6. Aspen Valley Ranch: $59 million

Billed as the largest ranch near Aspen in the Roaring Fork Valley, this ranch boasts senior water rights as well as over 800 acres and is located just 10 minutes from the Aspen airport. Joshua Saslove of Joshua & Co. has the listing.

7. Hana Ranch: $55 million

This 4,500-acre working ranch on eastern Maui surrounds the town of Hana. The property boasts two miles of Pacific oceanfront and rises over 2,200 feet up the slopes of Haleakala. Dan Omer of Island Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.

8. Rockpile Ranch: $54 million

For only the third time in over a century, this 55,374-acre cattle ranch in the Davis Mountains of Far West Texas is on the market. Since 1992, the Rockpile has been owned by McCoy Remme Ranches (No. 41 on the 2011 Land Report 100). James King of King Land and Water is the listing agent.

9. Hudye Farm: $49 million

Spanning two states, Hudye Farm is the largest dryland and irrigated farm ever to be offered for sale in eastern Colorado and western Kansas. Assembled over the past ten years, this ranch includes 17,741 acres of high quality farmlands with excellent production history, topography, soils and water conditions. Located in the top grain growing region of this area, the crops grown are primarily corn and wheat. Bart Miller of Mason & Morse Ranch Company has the listing.

10. Dana Ranch: $45 million

With only two distinguished owners in nearly 100 years and an unmatched record of profitability, the Dana is considered by many to be the finest operating and recreational ranch in the Rocky Mountain West. Supporting 3,000 animal units on 59,000± acres, it boasts over 13 miles of superb fisheries and an incredible diversity of wildlife resources from elk to waterfowl to upland birds. Listed by Dave Johnson with Hall and Hall.

Click here to download a copy of the February 2012 newsletter.

Grand Canyon Lands Withdrawn from New Claims

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced his decision to protect more than 1 million acres of federal lands surrounding the Grand Canyon and its vital watershed from additional uranium and other hardrock mining for the next 20 years. The Public Land Order to withdraw this acreage for 20 years from new mining claims and sites under the 1872 Mining Law is authorized by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

The withdrawn area includes 355,874 acres of U.S. Forest Service land on the Kaibab National Forest; 626,678 acres of Bureau of Land Management lands; and 23,993 acres of split estate—where surface lands are held by other owners while subsurface minerals are owned by the federal government.

Read the Interior Department press release here.

For Sale: Cropland in Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas

Spanning two states, Hudye Farm is the largest dryland and irrigated farm ever to be offered for sale in eastern Colorado and western Kansas.

Assembled over the past ten years, this ranch includes 17,741 acres of high quality farmlands with excellent production history, topography, soils and water conditions. Located in the top grain growing region of this area, the crops grown are primarily corn and wheat.

According to broker Bart Miller of Mason & Morse Ranch Company, this farm presents “a unique opportunity for somebody to come in—whether some local farmers or a large investor or two—to basically put themselves on the map with a 17,000-plus acre farm. Strong cash flow, strong tenants—it’s a great property.” Click here to hear a radio interview with Bart Miller about this amazing farm.*

The Hudye Farm is listed with Mason & Morse Ranch Company for $49 million. For more information, contact Bart Miller at (970) 928-7100.

*Interview provided by Brownfield Radio Network.

2011 Land Report 100: David Murdock

No. 40 David Murdock

238,138 acres

Self-made billionaire David Murdock’s privately owned Castle & Cooke owns 98 percent the Hawaiian island of Lanai, and his Dole Food Company owns significant acreage on the island of Oahu. He has additional farms, orchards, and a ranch in California to round out his portfolio. The 88-year-old reportedly does an hour of exercise daily and maintains a strict diet. He has donated more than $500 million to fund scientific research on diet, nutrition, and health.

 

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