A fifth generation Montanan, Wes was born and raised on his parents’ ranch in the Judith Basin. Since graduating from Montana State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Business, Finance Option and a minor in Economics in 1987, Wes has been involved in grain and livestock marketing throughout the Midwest and Pacific Northwest including nearly a dozen years with CHS, Inc. in Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota. During his eight-year stay in Minneapolis, he spent time as a floor broker at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and served as president of CHS Inc.’s subsidiary, Country Hedging, Inc. Wes is also a past Director of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. Wes has been with Hall & Hall Inc. since 2000 and has been a principal and director of the firm since 2003.
The Steinmetz Farm is located in the productive and scenic Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River Valley three miles east of Edgar. The farm has not changed hands in over a half-century. That ownership continuum speaks to the quality of the location and productive capacity. The farm features over four miles of Five Mile Creek frontage, which feeds into the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River just downstream from nearby Edgar. Approximately a third of the farm is dedicated to annual crop production. This tends to be the more level ground, while the balance of the farm consists of native range and brushy creek bottom, which provides cover for a plethora of birds, deer, and seasonal livestock. The property represents an opportunity to own a smaller productive operation with the benefit of significant recreational activities on the farm and in the immediate area.
The farm is home to over four miles of Five Mile Creek. Historically, dryland winter wheat yields an average of about 35 bushels per acre. The property is near ideal mix of cropland, native range, and creek bottom. After fall harvest, the entire farm can be grazed, hunted or left idle, depending on the owner’s goals.
While not large enough to be a stand-alone farming operation, it does offer a parcel big enough that the neighboring farmers and ranchers will want to lease it yet small enough to be managed by an absentee owner who enjoys the recreational aspects, as much as the productive aspects. An operation like this with limited infrastructure to maintain are increasingly hard to find, especially in southcentral and southwest Montana. The farm is one of those that may come on the market every couple of generations.
The property is a very nice combination of productive farm fields and habitat. With over four miles of Five Mile Creek bottomland, producing farmland, and native range, there is plenty of room for crop production, seasonal grazing, and recreation in a reasonably sized package.
The Steinmetz Farm lies three miles east of the little burg of Edgar, via East Pryor Road. The farm is 30 miles southwest of Billings, the state’s largest city and home to Billings Logan International Airport. Delta, Alaska, United, and Allegiant Airlines serve Billings from their hubs in Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Denver, providing numerous daily flights. Billings provides virtually any and all service one could need in this part of the country.
The farm lies approximately 40 miles from Red Lodge, which is considered the gateway to the Beartooth Highway – often referred to as the most beautiful drive in the Lower 48. This highway also serves as the nearest access route to Yellowstone National Park, via the east entrance at Cooke City.
Petroglyph Canyon is about 55 miles south of the farm. Located on both sides of Montana/Wyoming border, the canyon is home to at least 18 different groups of carvings spread across 800 feet of sandstone canyon wall and large boulders.
Edgar is a small unincorporated community located immediately west of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River in Carbon County. It was established in 1909 with the arrival of the railroad. It is home to approximately 114 souls and the Edgar Bar – arguably the finest eating establishment Carbon County. In its heyday, Edgar was home to a post office, school, livery stable, and the Edgar State Bank.
The valley is well-regarded as a farming and ranching community, but also has become known as a prime recreational destination due to its proximity to the Beartooth Mountains and the destination resort town of Red Lodge. The expanding Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort is only a short 40-minute drive from the farm.
Most residents make the trip to Billings for major purchases, professional services, and medical care, for which it has a well-deserved reputation. In addition to its reputation as the distribution center for Montana and northern Wyoming, Billings represents the hub of activity for the northern mountain region.
Carbon County was established in 1895 from parts of Park and Yellowstone Counties. It was named for its coal deposits that were mined during the first half of the 20th century. The county's economy has historically been reliant on agriculture, particularly hay, sugar beets, barley, wheat, and cattle.
Southcentral Montana is considered semi-arid with annual precipitation averaging about 12 to 14 inches. The wettest months are May and June, while the driest months are January and February. Normal summer high temperatures will average in the 80’s while normal winter high temperatures will average around 30 degrees. The farm is relatively flat with elevations ranging from 3,600 to 3,935 feet above sea level.
From a Montana perspective, this area is considered good winter country. Snowfall averages 40 inches per year. Winter grazing with protein supplements is a solid option, but having hay available is highly recommended.
The Steinmetz Farm has been in the same family ownership for over 50 years. The sellers were owner/operators for decades, but have recently been leasing the farm to two neighbors. The farmland has been in a wheat/fallow rotation and is in very good condition. The brushy creek bottom has been preserved for deer and bird cover, as well as winter protection for livestock.
The farm comprises approximately 608 acres of cropland, the balance being native range and creek bottom. The farmland is generally not fenced out of the grazing land, so the grazing resource has been utilized in the late fall and winter when the cattle can graze all areas of the ranch that are not in annual crop production. The mosaic of cropland, native range, and creek bottom is near ideal for upland gamebird habitat. The mule deer numbers on the farm are strong as well. This all lends itself to a productive farm with strong recreational attributes.
There is a spartan farmstead with a 30’x30’ Quonset and three midsized grain bins.
The farm boasts over four miles of Five Mile Creek. The creek meanders from south to north through the entire farm, offering a natural and scenic water source. It provides ample water for livestock and wildlife and tremendous cover for birds and deer.
All water rights owned by the seller and appurtenant to the land for sale will be transferred.
All mineral and royalty rights are included in the sale.
The annual taxes are estimated to be at $2,051 based upon past years.
Big game hunting on the property is primarily mule deer and pronghorn antelope, but a small whitetail population resides on or near the farm.
Upland gamebirds, including pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse, and Hungarian partridge, are in abundance.
Aside from the big game and upland gamebird hunting on the ranch, one must keep in mind that one of the nation’s finest recreational areas, the Beartooth Mountains are a mere 45 miles from the farm. The Beartooths can be considered one of the true trophy-quality areas in the Lower 48 for hiking, camping, and high-country fishing with dozens of glacial lakes loaded with hungry fish. Granite Peak, Montana’s highest peak at 12,808 feet, has several access routes including the Froze-to-death Plateau and Mystic Lake Trail via West Rosebud Creek. The Beartooth’s have a large number of access points, which disperse the users and keep the country wild.
Red Lodge Mountain Ski Area is within an hour of the farm. While it does not have the name brand recognition of Big Sky, it provides quality Montana skiing without the crowds.
The Stillwater River, this author’s favorite freestone fishery, is 35 miles away via Montana Highway 421. The “Stillie” is an excellent wade fishing river as well as a float for fishermen or recreational floaters just looking for a pleasure float with some small rapids – depending on seasonal flows.
If one wants to go a little further, Yellowstone Park is just over 100 miles southwest via the Beartooth Highway. America’s oldest National Park is always a treat to visit.
In recent years, the farm has been operated as a part of larger operations. The farmland has been leased to a neighbor and the grazing has been used seasonally by another neighbor.
The farmland is well cared for and in excellent condition. The fields are clean and have been well managed for decades. The on-farm grain storage is functional and well located. Historically, winter wheat yields would run in the 35-bushel range in a crop/fallow rotation.
The grazing resource has been utilized as seasonal grazing in the fall/winter. With good cover along Five Mile Creek, the cattle can get out of the weather if needed. There is a 640± acre BLM lease north of the ranch as well.
The property has a Bureau of Land Management grazing lease that provides 96 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) of grazing.
Steeped in the history of the American West lies the N Bar Ranch spanning more than 60,000± contiguous acres in the foothills of central Montana’s Snowy Mountains, 100 miles north of Billings, Montana.
This offering represents a rare opportunity to purchase property in the Big Sheep Creek Basin, a place rich in the ranching tradition. Beautiful scenery, large mountain vistas and great neighbors. This ranch consists of 4000± deeded acres, 6000± BLM, 6000± Forrest and 1200± State leases.
The 1,048± acre ranch is located on the West side of the Bridger Mountains, 40 minutes from the recreational Mecca of Bozeman. Privately situated, the land offers spectacular views, is full of wildlife & surrounded by vast historic ranches. North Ridge Ranch is well watered by Bremmer Creek; owns 100% of the mineral rights & can carry 100 cows.
Classic 640± acre family retreat in Taylor Fork Valley south of Big Sky. A USFS inholding, log improvements include lodge and four cabins. Extensive wildlife, trout stream, and views of Taylor Peaks.
Brand Rock Ranch represents a solid combination of trophy big game, upland bird, and waterfowl hunting in concert with production ag suitable for registered or commercial cattle in a great location.
