Land Report Top Ten: March 2012
March 27, 2012 by Land Report Editors
Filed under California, Colorado, Feature, Field Reporters, Hawaii, Montana, Texas, Wyoming
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.
Land Report Top Ten: February 2012
February 21, 2012 by Land Report Editors
Filed under California, Colorado, Feature, Field Reporters, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Texas, Wyoming
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.
For Sale: Cropland in Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas
January 31, 2012 by Land Report Editors
Filed under Agriculture, Colorado, Farming, Feature, Field Reporters, Kansas, Midwest
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.
Land Report Top 10: Flying Dog Ranch
January 19, 2012 by Land Report Editors
Filed under Colorado, Feature, Field Reporters
Nestled into the pastoral Woody Creek, Flying Dog Ranch is one of the last remaining original ranches in the Aspen area.
Comprised of four parcels totaling 245 acres, the backyard of Flying Dog Ranch is the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest, which provides countless riding and hiking possibilities, along with ample hunting opportunities for deer and elk. Featuring excellent views south of the property to the distant mountain ranges, this ranch is an idyllic setting to hitch up horses in the existing stable near Woody Creek Road.
Available for the first time after nearly 40 year, other property highlights include water rights, miles of private trails and roads, multiple barns, fields, a historic homesteader’s cabin, a straw bale house, and freestanding living structures.
Flying Dog Ranch is listed with Morris & Fyrwald Sotheby’s International Realty.
Click here to see the full list of Land Report’s Top Ten priciest properties.
Land Report Top 10: Aspen Valley Ranch
December 14, 2011 by Land Report Editors
Filed under Cattle, Colorado, Conservation, Feature, Field Reporters, Hunting, Public Land, West
Situated in the picturesque valley just outside of Aspen, the Aspen Valley Ranch is the last working ranch in the area that reflects the mountain heritage of the West.
At 813 acres, this prestigious family legacy ranch is a rare offering in Woody Creek, Colorado. With its unique traits of both a historic, working ranch and a luxurious recreational getaway, this property features senior water rights, irrigated pastures, and a new 10-stall horse barn. Additionally, its proximity to public lands, trails, wildlife, the Roaring Fork River, and a handful of Aspen ski areas provides ample recreational opportunities.
Aspen Valley Ranch is listed with Joshua & Co. For more information, contact Joshua Saslove at (970) 948-3876 or joshua@joshuaco.com.
Click here to see the full list of Land Report’s Top 10 priciest properties.
Land Report Top Ten: November 2011
November 4, 2011 by Land Report Editors
Filed under California, Cattle, Colorado, Conservation, Equestrian, Farming, Feature, Field Reporters, Golf, Hawaii, Hunting, Land Report Top 10, Midwest, Minerals, Montana, Nevada, Pacific, Recreation, Residential Property, Southwest, Texas, West, Wyoming

From Hawaii to the Lone Star State, here are America’s priciest properties, led by $175 million Jackson Land and Cattle Ranch, pictured here, which is listed by Hall and Hall.
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. 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.
3. 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.
4. Tranquility Estate: $75 million
These 210 acres on Lake Tahoe are crowned by a 20,000 square-foot mansion. Owned by Tommy Hilfiger co-founder Joel Horowitz, it was originally priced at $100 million in 2006. Listed by Shari Chase and Sue Lowe of Chase International.
5. 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.
6. Robert Taylor Ranch: $56 million
112 acres in Los Angeles’s tony Brentwood enclave. The roomy ranch house, which was designed by Robert Byrd, features 17 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms. Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker Previews International 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. 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.
10. Flying Dog Ranch: $40 million
This 245-acre Aspen landmark features nearly a mile of Collins Creek and Woody Creek and borders the White River National Forest. Morris & Fyrwald Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.
Click here to download a copy of the November 2011 newsletter.
Land Report November 2011 Newsletter
November 1, 2011 by Land Report Editors
Filed under Auctions, Bankruptcy, Cattle, Colorado, Developers, Farming, Great Lakes, Illinois, Kentucky, Midwest, Newsletter, South, Timber, West, Wisconsin
Take a moment to scan the November edition of The Land Report newsletter. You’ll be amazed at the amount of activity going on in land markets currently.
Impending auctions of key parcels, record-setting new listings, fire-sale prices on bankrupt holdings – the number of transactions taking place in all sectors is quite encouraging and, as you will soon read, in all parts of the country.
For more up to the minute reports on listings, auctions, sales, and breaking news pertaining to land and landowners, be sure to follow The Magazine of the American Landowner on Facebook and Twitter.
P.S. Our award-winning quarterly magazine is available in a print version via subscription.
Sold! Colorado’s Banning Lewis Ranch
October 14, 2011 by Land Report Editors
Filed under Auctions, Bankruptcy, Colorado, Developers, Energy, Feature, Minerals, Regional News, West
This week, Ultra Resources confirmed that the company had purchased 18,000 acres of the Banning Lewis Ranch for $20 million. With the sale now complete, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the City of Colorado Springs will need to determine whether the city land-use agreements related to the city’s 1988 annexation of the ranch should remain intact.
Confirming the purchase of the ranch, an Ultra spokeswoman said that the company expects to drill for oil and natural gas on the ranch. And it appears that the Banning Lewis deal may be just one part of Ultra’s plans for drilling in the area, as the company paid $1.67 million in July and August to Denver-based Pine Ridge Oil & Gas for leases on nearly 100,000 acres of land in eastern El Paso County and an exploratory well east of Fountain.
According to Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach, the sale of most of Banning Lewis Ranch to Ultra means “there is a real possibility that the Banning Lewis Ranch will not be built into residential and commercial neighborhoods as previously expected.”
In a statement, Colorado Springs City Attorney Chris Melcher said that the city will continue negotiations with Ultra “to reach a satisfactory resolution of the annexation issues, but if that effort is not successful the city intends to seek enforcement of all rights and responsibilities under the agreement in the Colorado bankruptcy court of Colorado state court.”
Click HERE to read more.
For Sale: Craig Ranch
February 25, 2011 by Land Report Editors
Filed under 2010 Winter, Colorado, Feature, Field Reporters, Magazine
One of the last remaining large parcels near Aspen, the 838 acres that comprise Craig Ranch are a Pitkin County landmark and feature diverse ecosystems that range from a mile of pristine frontage on both sides of Woody Creek to sub-alpine zones at 10,000 feet.
$43 million
(970) 928-7100
www.ranchland.com
Power Struggle
February 24, 2011 by Eric OKeefe
Filed under 2010 Winter, Cattle, Colorado, Conservation, Feature, Field Reporters, Magazine
Louis Bacon fends off utility companies as they try to build transmission lines across his Colorado ranch. He also adds North Carolina’s Orton Plantation to his portfolio.
In 2007, London-based hedge fund manager Louis Bacon claimed his place on The Land Report 100 when he paid the heirs of Malcolm Forbes $175 million for Southern Colorado’s Trinchera Ranch. The 171,400-acre property is a haven of biodiversity and includes three of Colorado’s majestic Fourteeners. In the three short years since, Bacon has been recognized as a keen steward of the land; he’s even been singled out by Colorado’s Division of Wildlife for his support in their management of several species.
Not surprisingly, Bacon opposes Xcel Energy and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association’s proposed $180 million transmission line project across his ranch. “Having helped many others in their fights against outside, profitoriented polluters, I couldn’t shirk this battle when I know there is so much at stake for the San Luis Valley residents, the range, the environment, the animals, and for all of Colorado,” he told The Denver Post via email.
Bacon enjoyed a well-established reputation as a land steward prior to buying Trinchera. He has put conservation easements on several trophy properties, including the Sound of Music Ranch on Wilson Mesa outside of Telluride, Cow Neck Farm in the Hamptons, and Robins Island in Peconic Bay at the eastern end of Long Island.
In November, the Raleigh native added another signature property to his portfolio when he closed on North Carolina’s historic Orton Plantation, a colonial estate that was originally owned by an ancestor named Roger Moore. The 8,300-acre landmark had been owned by the Sprunt family since 1884 and is crowned by the last remaining pre-Civil War manor house on the Lower Cape Fear. (The grand structure was spared by Union forces, who used it as a military hospital.) According to the Wilmington Star News, revenue stamps associated with the deeds put the sale price of the Brunswick County estate at $45 million.



















