Executive Summary
The 15,296± acre AL Ranch is a classic working cattle ranch situated in the heart of the productive and scenic Nebraska Sandhills. Located in the best cattle country in the world and near the highest-priced cattle markets, the property supports a profitable 700 head cow/calf operation with all supporting livestock. The ranch features 296 pivot irrigated acres, 445 head cow/calf permit on National Forest, 2,500 head backgrounding lot, an excellent set of improvements along with superb native grasslands that have remained virtually unaltered over time. The ranch lays on top the Ogallala Aquifer, which provides excellent water resources allowing for shallow clean water wells. The ranch has been in the family since 1947 and exudes extreme pride in ownership from grassland management to the improvements. The AL Ranch is multi-faceted, allowing for numerous operational opportunities to meet your needs and can be bought as a turnkey operation.
Just the Facts
- 15,296± total acres
- 7,052± deeded acres
- 296± pivot irrigated acres, 144 acres in alfalfa
- 700 head year-round cattle ranch
- 2,500 head backgrounding lot
- Three homes
- Insulated shop and calving barn
- 445 cow grazing permit on national forest
- Seven submersible wells
- Four pipelines supplying over 30 tanks and all pastures
- 12 shelterbelts strategically placed through ranch
- Silage pit
- Grain storage
- Excellent Mule deer hunting
- Good road access
- Good fences
- Priced at $12,000/AU
General Description
The AL Ranch headquarters are located a short distance from the county road and centrally located on the ranch. The irrigated pivots are located adjacent to the headquarters along with numerous tree shelterbelts for livestock winter protection. The main improvements, including three homes, out buildings, and cattle working facilities, are very well maintained and in show condition. The ranch has a 2,500 head backgrounding lot with excellent winter protection and functionality. The majority of the property is native Sandhill range. The north unit is just a short drive north from the main ranch. Bessey National Forest grazing permit is a short distance to the south and within a cattle drive distance, no hauling required. Fences are very well maintained and excellent water supply for cattle with an extensive pipeline supplying over 30 tanks. The main ranch is divided up into 23 pastures and the north summer range contains 10 pastures. Currently, the main ranch has grass over belly deep on a cow due to deferring grazing to fall and winter months.
Broker's Comments
The AL Ranch is a complete 700 head year-round Sandhill ranch that has excellent improvements, great feed base, 12 mature shelterbelts, and a superb livestock water system. A highlight of the operation is the 445 head cow/calf national forest grazing permit that goes along with the ranch. These permits are highly sought after and rarely change ownership. The ranch can be bought as a turnkey operation with foreman in place. The owner has one of the finest commercial cow herds in the country and a chance for a stockman to step into a very well managed operation that is evident by the condition of the ranch.
Learn about the locale
Location
The ranch headquarters are located 6.5 miles north of Halsey, Nebraska, on a paved county road. Halsey is located 15 miles east of Thedford or 51 miles west of Broken Bow, both on State Highway 2. Thedford and Broken Bow both have airports that support small jet airplanes and most major amenities. Broken Bow has the nearest hospital.
Locale
The AL Ranch is located in the central Sandhills region of Nebraska. The Sandhills are noted for the abundant water resources, finest cow/calf country, and supports three of the top cattle sale barns in the United States, consistently selling the highest priced feeder cattle in the world. The ranch lays atop the Ogallala Aquifer, the largest underground aquifer in the U.S., covering moreover 174,000 square miles and up to 5,000 feet deep in places. The Sandhills provide abundant recreational opportunities from sight-seeing to hunting/fishing. The Bessey National Forest is just a short drive from the ranch headquarters and provides ATV trails, fishing/hunting, RV camping, canoeing/kayaking, as well as many other activities such as bird watching. Unique to the area is several world-class golf resorts, such as Prairie Club, Sandhills Golf Club, and Dismal River Golf Club. Nearby schools are located in Dunning and Halsey, with school bus service to the ranch driveway.
Climate
Average annual precipitation is 22 to 24 inches, which the majority of comes during the spring and summer months. Average high temperature ranges from 85 degrees in July to 36 degrees during January. For the most part, the area is noted for low humidity, allowing comfortable evenings and mornings.
Learn more about the property
Acreage (Deeded & Leased)
Deeded Acres: 7,052± Acres
National Forest Permit: 7,600± Acres
Irrigated Acres: 296± Acres pivot irrigated with 144± Acres currently in alfalfa
School Land Lease: 644± Acres
Total Acres: 15,296± Acres
Deeded Acres: 7,052±
Other Leased Acres: 8,244±
Total Leased Acres: 8,244±
Total Acres: 15,296±
Improvements
Improvements have been very well maintained and updated. The houses have been remodeled and all buildings show extensive amount of pride in ownership. The improvements include:
Owner's Home
· 3,336 square foot main home fully remodeled in 2012
· Four bedroom, four bath, open concept kitchen, large dining and living room
Foreman's Home
· 2,688 square foot ranch Style Home
· Four bedroom, three bath, full finished basement, attached two car garage, new windows, updated kitchen and bathroom in 2015
Additional Employee Housing
· 1,652 square foot double wide modular home
· Three bedroom, two bath, attached garage
Operational Facilities and Equipment
· 4,000 square foot insulated shop, 50’ X 80’
· 2,496 square foot insulated calving barn, 32’ X 78’ with 10 pens
· 1,664 square foot horse barn
· 1,056 square foot four car detached garage
· Open front shed
· Numerous grain bins
· Silage bunker
· Numerous other small outbuildings
· Pipe Corrals with heated water tanks
· Silencer chute (covered) along with tub, alley, and loading chute
· 2,500 head backgrounding lots
Water Resources
Stock water is supplied by a combination of seven wells. There are four separate pipelines that provide water to over 30 tanks and all pastures. The main pipeline is sourced by three submersible wells that can be utilized separately or in conjunction in case of emergency. Very much thought and planning went into the pipeline.
The pivot irrigation is supplied by high capacity hollow shaft wells. Each pivot has its own well. The north pivot is certified for 145.2 acres and pumps 1,000gpm at a depth of 105 feet. The south pivot is certified for 128.8 acres and pumps 900gpm at a depth of 85 feet.
The forest permit contains 24 watering sites that include solar, submersible and windmills. Each pasture on forest has at least one well that has a submersible pump under the windmill that can be hooked up to a small generator for emergency use.
Mineral Rights
Any and all seller owned mineral rights will be transferred to buyer.
Taxes
Annual real estate taxes are approximately $35,528.38.
Learn about the recreational amenities
Wildlife Resources
The ranch has an abundance of wildlife including mule deer, grouse, coyote, and geese. The management of the ranch provides for tall grass cover and plenty of food for the wildlife. Trophy mule deer hunting has become increasingly harder to find in recent years, but the AL Ranch is an exception to that. There have been many trophy mule deer taken throughout the years on the ranch.
Learn about the general operations
General Operations
The AL ranch has historically been run as a 700 head cow/calf operation and complimented with a 2,500 head custom backgrounding lot. Cows are traditionally calved in March and then trailed to the National Forest permit around the first of June. Cows are kept close to headquarters for calving and have excellent storm protection for the new baby calves. Most winter feed is produced on the two pivot irrigated fields near the headquarters, no need for hauling hay. The north unit is summer range and fenced for rotational grazing. The cows return from the national forest permit around the end of October and calves are weaned at that time. The calves go to the backgrounding lots and fed while the cows return to the winter range and are supplemented with range cake. The cow herd has been intensively managed throughout the years with heavy culling and extensive AI input. The calves are in high demand and are sold privately. The native grassland is heavily used for fall and winter grazing, which leads to abundant and a healthy stand of grass. You will not find blow-outs on this ranch and owner has controlled all volunteer cedar trees.
Leases and Permits
National Forest Permit
Included with the ranch is approximately 7,600-acre national forest grazing permit. The permit is on an AUM basis and allows for yearling or cow/calf use. The AUM’s allowed figures out to 445 cow/calf pairs for the summer months. The forest permit is fenced into 7 pastures with a rotational grazing plan. The permit is located 10 miles southwest of the southern border of the main ranch.
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Terms
Price includes real estate only.
$12,000/AU
