The 2,790± acre Wheat Ranch is an outstanding native grass cow/calf ranch in the heart of the Gypsum Hills of southcentral Kansas. This area of Kansas has a very favorable year-round climate that compliments the mix of native grasses found throughout this region. This ranch shows excellent care and is well fenced. Having been burned in a wildfire two years ago, the tree population on the ranch is very minimal, and the grass is bountiful. There are several large lakes and ponds scattered around the ranch in addition to nearly a mile of Big Sandy Creek on the west side. Remote, productive, scenic, recreational and it just so happens to join one of the largest ranches in Kansas. Producing mineral rights go at the listed price.
The 2,790± acres in this Wheat Ranch are all contiguous. This excellent grazing ranch is predominantly open country with a few trees scattered down through the draws makes this a pure grass factory. Good water, both from windmills (there are three) and several large lakes and ponds, some of which are spring-fed, helps to get the entire property grazed over the season. There are three pastures along with two meadows that are fenced out. One meadow, a tract consisting of 71.4± acres, is currently enrolled in the CRP program and is set to expire in September of 2021, and the other 79± acre meadow exited the CRP back in 2010.
The Wheat Ranch is an excellent cow/calf ranch that is in top condition. The tenant, who has over 30 years of operating and caring for the ranch, typically will stock the ranch with 180 cow/calf pairs for the normal grazing season. The ranch is cross-fenced into three large pastures and has a good set of centrally located working pens located. There are three windmills to go along with numerous larges lakes and ponds in the spring-fed scenic draws lightly populated with hardwood trees. The ranch’s recreational component includes bobwhite quail, whitetail deer, antelope, bobcat and turkey hunting, along with really good fishing in the large lakes. With the west boundary of the ranch bordering the largest contiguous ranch in Kansas, the rugged remoteness of this area coupled with the beautiful natural scenery form a nice foundation for the next owner.
The ranch is located approximately 90 miles southwest of Wichita, Kansas, or around 100 miles southeast of Dodge City. You can head west out Medicine Lodge on the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway, State Highway 160, for about 10 miles, then turn south on Lake City Road and meander down the scenic gravel road in a generally south/southeast direction, then jog over onto Sandy Creek Road. The nearest jet-capable airport is located north of Medicine Lodge, about 30 miles.
About 90 miles due west, southwest of Wichita, Kansas, there is a huge expanse of native grass ranges that run through these red hills and canyons dotted with flat top mesas and caprock formations, all interspersed with rivers, creeks, occasional springs and scattered fertile farm ground. The beauty of this topography is one of the most spectacular of the overall Kansas landscape. The combination of the outcroppings of gypsum rock and the red soils is why this area is often referred to as the Red Hills or Gypsum Hills of Kansas. While the region is well known for cattle ranching, it is rich in Native American history and westward movements of the American pioneers.
The average high temperature in January is 41 degrees and the average high temperature in July is 90 degrees. Average annual precipitation is 28 inches, most of which comes during the growing season. The ranch averages around 205 frost-free days yearly, usually from April 5th to around October 28th.
Elevation on the ranch ranges from 1,587 feet up to 1,700 feet.
Grazing acres: 2,719± acres
CRP acres: 71± acres
Total acres: 2,790± acres
There are no buildings or improvements on the land. Nearly all of the fences on the ranch are in excellent condition and are relatively new in the last three years.
The Sandy Creek runs along the west side of the ranch for approximately a mile. The various spring-fed draws throughout the ranch that help feed the four large lakes along with numerous smaller ponds. There are three windmills with tanks for additional livestock water.
Seller believes all mineral rights are intact and are included in the sale. Currently there is one producing well on the south end of the ranch.
Based upon past years, annual property taxes are estimated at $8,863.00.
