Mark received his real estate license in 2012 and joined Hall and Hall in 2018. A lifelong resident of Cherry County, Nebraska, which lies in the heart of the renowned Sandhills cattle raising country, Mark received his BS degree from the University of Nebraska in 1995 and then returned to the family ranch. He is currently the owner of the Thirteen Bar Ranch near Valentine, Nebraska, which has been in the family since 1888. Mark has 20 plus years of experience in farming, ranching, land development and is an avid outdoorsman. In addition to his home state, Mark has been involved in agricultural and recreational properties in several neighboring states.
Metzger Ranch is one of the most historic multigenerational ranches in the Nebraska Sandhills. Its history goes back to the open range days of the early 1900s. The ranch sits deep in the heart of Cherry County and comprises 55,136± total acres, of which 51,856± are deeded, and 3,280± BELF leased land. It is a 2,500-cow, self-sustaining, well-balanced, year-round, lowoverhead operation that includes good improvements and working facilities. The over 4,000 acres of sub-irrigated meadows provide an excellent supply of winter feed. Wooded river bottoms of the Snake River, Gordon Creek, and the vast rangeland provide excellent habitat for wildlife. Whitetail and mule deer are abundant, and walleye and trout fishing are common in several lakes and rivers. The Ogallala Aquifer, the largest aquifer in the United States, may well be why the Nebraska Sandhills are known as “God’s Country.” Metzger Ranch sits atop this famed aquifer deep in the heart of Cherry County, where the oceans of grass seemingly go on forever. Today, Cherry County enjoys the reputation of being the best cattle ranching country in the world. The family’s stewardship has in every way preserved this land.
Offered in cooperation with Marshall Land Brokers and Auctioneers.
The ranch lies in the middle of the Nebraska Sandhills, which are grass-covered sand hills that have evolved over time to become highly productive native rangeland well suited for cattle grazing. The sub-irrigated meadows, where the water table is near the surface, leads to excellent hay production. The north part of the ranch is mainly the summer range and includes the Snake River, bisecting nine miles across the north end. The south end of the ranch is where the sub-irrigated meadows and headquarters are located. Set along Gordon Creek, they include five houses, a bunkhouse, cattle working facilities, a shop, an airplane hangar, a horse barn, and numerous other outbuildings. A noncontiguous 7,781± acre summer range known as the Tailbone lies northwest of the 44,076± main ranch, west of Nebraska Highway 61. The ranch has historically been operated as a 2,500-head cow/calf year-round operation. The imposing hills just north of the headquarters provide winter protection, while the sub-irrigated meadows produce ample winter feed.
The Metzger Ranch has been home to only two owners since the land was first settled. It is one of the earliest ranches of the Sandhills. The ranch provides a well-balanced combination of native rolling hills, sub-irrigated meadows, excellent winter protection, and miles of live water. Rarely do ranches of such large acreage and quality come to market. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone who dreams of a future in land ownership and cattle production.
Metzger Ranch is in west-central Cherry County, Nebraska, located 35 miles north of Hyannis and east of Highway 61. The ranch is centrally located between Valentine, Gordon, and Hyannis.
The ranch sits on the famed aquifer in Cherry County, Nebraska. The Sandhills are a region of mixed-grass prairie on grass-stabilized sand dunes covering most of the western part of the state. They are highlighted by the sub-irrigated meadows that stretch out into the valleys between ranges of sand dunes. The massive Ogallala Aquifer below creates the lakes and tributaries that feed miles of rivers. These features provide an excellent environment for cattle production. Cherry County is the top cattle-producing county in the United States.
The climate in the Sandhills is considered a semi-arid region with adequate rainfall and low humidity. This climate provides excellent Sandhills grazing and meadow hay production.
The ranch headquarters include a corral system with load-out, calving barn, large Quonset for salt/mineral and supply storage, large shop with machinery and supply storage, airplane hangar, bunkhouse, and five houses. These include a historic 1910 three-story block home, fully updated with modern amenities. On-site, there is a separate area for vehicle and implement storage. A second corral system with a calving barn is located two miles north of the headquarters.
At the Metzger Ranch, the vast Ogallala Aquifer is noted to be up to 1,000 feet deep. The aquifer creates shallow lakes, artesian wells, and long sub-irrigated meadows for year-round water flow. The main ranch acreage is served by 62 windmills, 26 solar wells, and 20-plus flowing artesian wells. The Snake River and Gordon Creek headwaters are in far western portions of the Sandhills. They and clear water lakes provide additional livestock water for the ranch. The separate Tailbone Unit includes 13 pastures with 17 windmills. The ranch is very well-watered for livestock operations.
All seller-owned mineral and water rights will be transferred to the buyer.
Property taxes are estimated at $190,497 based upon previous years.
The Metzger Ranch is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including mule and whitetail deer, antelope, and a diverse bird population (grouse, pheasants, and an occasional turkey). The several shallow sandhill lakes offer multiple fishing opportunities for a variety of game fish, including bass and walleye. The fresh spring water of the Snake River is home to both brown and rainbow trout.
[We] are forever grateful to you for your support and trust, as well as your professionalism that did not waiver.
I have not forgotten the “Dream Team”. I would like to thank you both for going above and beyond what I know any of us thought would happen. You pulled off a feat that, I know, put that whole community in a tailspin. Jackie and I are forever grateful to you for your support and trust,...
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