The Spur Ranch is an excellent working ranch on the southeastern edge of the Kansas Flint Hills. Comprised of 4,936± acres of native tallgrass prairie in two tracts approximately five miles apart, this ranch is a combination cow/calf and stocker cattle outfit that is in very good operating condition. In addition to cattle ranching, the ranch also offers outstanding whitetail deer hunting. The rolling hills and deep draws provide scenic vistas and many recreational opportunities. There are several creeks, seasonal streams, and springs that provide water to over 20 ponds. For the last several years this ranch has been home to over 400 mother cows, calves and bulls.
The Spur Ranch consists of two separate tracts of land, one immediately south of the town of Sedan, and the other tract is about two and a half miles north of Sedan. The south tract, 1,431± acres (all contiguous), includes a nice set of improvements with a manager’s home, several outbuildings, including a nice metal shop building, and a very good set of working pens. There are a total of seven pastures, plus a hay meadow. With the support structures and smaller pastures, this tract is ideal for birthing first calf heifers and getting their calves started off right. State Highway 166 cuts through the south tract diagonally and adds to the headquarters unique curb appeal. A gravel road forms the east boundary.
The Spur Ranches north tract, 3,505± acres (all contiguous), is located north of Sedan 2½ miles, accessed either to the east side of the ranch by gravel road or on State Highway 99 that forms part of the west boundary for a mile and a quarter. This tract is divided into five larger pastures and has an excellent set of working pens over on the east boundary along Road 22. The grasses overall are very good with a lot of open grazing country. Hardwood tree varieties are prevalent in the draws. Coon Creek and Deer Creek along with numerous other seasonal spring-fed creeks run through various quadrants of the ranch and are vital for supplying all the ponds for the benefit of livestock and wildlife. The fences are generally good to excellent and have numerous metal gates. With the hardwood trees in the draws providing good protection in the winter, this is an excellent year-round cow/calf ranch.
The Spur Ranch is a great find today for someone looking for a good working ranch in great condition and ready to go to work for the new owner. This tall grass prairie unit is great for a cow/calf operation and great for running stocker cattle. Add the long growing season and the generous annual precipitation to the native tall grasses of this locale and you can see how productive this ranch can be. This ranch is improved and in condition to continue to run a thriving cattle business today.
The whitetail deer hunting component is outstanding. Plus, the overall scenic beauty of the topography of this ranch with the rolling native prairie grass, large stands of hardwood trees, and the amazing wildflowers in bloom, it is hard to believe sometimes that you can actually own land like this.
The ranch is located approximately 95 miles southeast of Wichita in Chautauqua County. Tulsa is 80 miles due south and Joplin is 100 miles to the east. The south tract of the ranch lies just south of the town of Sedan, and the north tract is approximately two and a half miles north of Sedan.
This area of southeastern Kansas is where the Flint Hills meet up with the Cross Timbers region. The many tallgrass species that dominate the area include big bluestem, little bluestem grass, and Indian grass, along with numerous forbs and legumes. This rich soil sits on thick layers of limestone, flint rock, shale, and sandstone. The limestone and sandstone rock produces the naturally rich native grasses that cattle easily gain weight on, thereby cattle ranching is the main driver of the local economy.
These hills are dominated by numerous springs and creeks in the many draws, usually with good stands of hardwood trees. Near the tops of several of the draws are large rimrocks that give you a front-row seat to watch nature unfold below you. When you add in the open grass meadows, this environment provides unmatched habitat for the numerous wildlife species including whitetail deer, turkeys, coyotes, and bob-white quail. The breathtaking beauty of these rolling Flint Hills with the native prairie grasses are speckled with the many varieties of wildflowers.
The average high temperature in January is 43 degrees and the average high temperature in July is 90 degrees. Average annual precipitation is 37 inches and can include 6 feet of snow. The ranch averages around 190 frost-free days yearly. Elevation on the ranch ranges from 1,080 feet on the highest hills, and 870 feet along the creek bottoms.
Native grass: 4,824± acres
Native grass/tame grass hay meadow: 112± acres
Total Acres: 4,936± acres
Improvements at the Headquarters consists of: Manager’s home – 3-bedroom, 1-bath; Shop (metal building); Calving barn; Horse barn; Pipe alleyways and pens; Hay shed; Lean-to shed for horses.
There are numerous fresh spring-fed ponds which dot the ranch from one end to the other that provide fresh water for the livestock, in addition to one spring tank. The buildings and the cattle pens at the headquarters, as well as the pens up on the north tract are on rural water.
Seller believes that he owns all but 40 acres of mineral rights. Excluding any gas developed from the coal methane gas beds that are held by a previous reservation that is still in effect.
Property taxes are estimated at $18,940 based upon past years.
The Spur Ranch sits in an area that is often referred to as “big buck country”. Lots of open rolling grass-covered hills interspersed by numerous tree-filled draws and plenty of fresh water, makes for some terrific hunting experiences that can include whitetail deer, wild turkeys, quail, prairie chickens, coyotes, and numerous other native wildlife. Imagine horseback riding, hiking, camping, or riding your ATV across this beautiful land, taking time to watch the many bird species that populate the area.
The Spur Ranch has been operated many years as a commercial cow/calf operation. The cow numbers have been maintained to around 400 head, which is certainly a conservative number, but one that if there is an unusually high moisture year the ranch can handle an additional group of stocker cattle to take care of the excess grass crop. Weed spraying and burning occasionally has helped to control various weed and brush species, including sericea lespedeza. There are around 112 acres in the east part of the south tract that is a hay meadow, consisting of native grasses and some fescue. Typically, the ranch has hayed this acreage and will from time to time fertilize it to increase the hay production.
