Executive Summary
This is a tremendous working ranch and recreational property conveniently located less than 15 miles from I-90 and 15 minutes from Murdo, South Dakota. Little White River Ranch totals 7,469± acres which includes 4,029± deeded acres, 1,440± acres of private lease, and 2,000± acres of Rosebud Tribal Lease. The ranch has varied topography ranging from grass-covered hillsides, pastures, dryland farm ground to tree-covered river bottom. The Little White River runs through the ranch for two miles and is primal wild game habitat. The ranch has a nice set of improvements consisting of two homes, shops, calving barns, four sets of working facilities, and numerous outbuildings. The property is well watered with miles of pipeline feeding strategically placed stock tanks and numerous stock dams. There are approximately 60 acres of permitted irrigation ground and 600 acres of dryland farm ground. For the hunter, the ranch provides very good whitetail deer hunting as well as mule deer, turkey, and upland birds. The Little White River is also a fishery, and there are also two large spring-fed ponds on the ranch loaded with fish.
Just the Facts
- 7,469± acres total with 4,029± deeded
- Two miles of the Little White River
- Great whitetail, mule deer, antelope, turkey, and some upland bird hunting
- Fishing for walleye & catfish in the river, and bass, perch, and other species in stock dams
- Miles of pipeline to stock tanks and numerous stock dams
- Four sets of working facilities
- Owner currently runs 650-700 cows on the ranch through the winter
- Great winter range ranch because of very good protection
- Main home has tremendous views overlooking the ranch and the river
- Ranch manager home close to the river and working facilities
- 58.3± acres permitted irrigation ground
- Owner would sell all equipment and livestock to interested buyer
General Description
Little White River Ranch is a versatile operation that boasts great protection for cattle in the winter and feed production in the summer. Although located in South Dakota, the ranch is basically a Nebraska Sandhills quality ranch. The ranch benefits from a transfer pipe from the Oahe that dumps into the Ogallala Aquifer. All of the ranchers along the route are tied into the system. As a result, this supplements several stock tanks on the ranch.
The current owner has wintered and calved out 600 - 800 mother cows on the ranch. The ranch is well suited to this type of operation because of the supplemental feed put up on the leased dryland ground as well as great protection from storms and inclement weather especially during calving. The 600± acres of farm ground have allowed the owner to have one year’s worth of supplemental hay on hand in most years.
The tribal leases have been very easy to negotiate and have been five year renewable leases.
The owner would sell all equipment and livestock to an interested buyer!
Broker's Comments
This is a tremendous versatile ranch that is close to I-90, the main thoroughfare through South Dakota. The ranch is a year-round self-sustaining operation that puts up feed for the winter months. The recreational attributes are just icing on the cake and could be leased out for income or kept private for personal use.
Learn about the locale
Location
The Little White River Ranch is located about 15 minutes from Interstate 90 and is easily accessed off of Highway 83. The town of Murdo, which is located at the intersection of I-90 and 83, has services. The town of White River is located just minutes south of the ranch and offers a full-service gas station. The capital of South Dakota, Pierre, is located a little more than an hour from the ranch. Pierre offers all major services, shopping, restaurants, and a commercial airport.
Climate
White River, South Dakota, gets 20 inches of rain on average per year and 41 inches of snow per year. The July high temperature is around 89 degrees and the January low is 12 degrees. It is sunny on average 227 days per year. The elevation is approximately 2,100 feet.
Learn more about the property
Acreage (Deeded & Leased)
Deeded Acres: 4,029 Acres
Leased Acres: 3,440 Acres
Total Acres: 7,469 Acres
Deeded Acres: 4,029±
Private Leased Acres: 1,440±
Indian Leased Acres: 2,000±
Total Leased Acres: 3,440±
Total Acres: 7,469±
Additional Information
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
The ranch is unencumbered from any easements and may be a great candidate for a conservation easement in the future.
*Some of the outstanding photography herein was provided by Dillion Muirhead. (Contact information is available upon request.)
Improvements
The ranch is nicely improved but not overdone. The primary improvements are located on the east side of the Little White River. The main house sits on a hill and overlooks the beautiful river bottom. It is 1,600± square feet with a main floor master bedroom and bath suite, two additional bedrooms, and one bathroom. There are also two complete apartments on the lower level, a sauna, and a two-car garage. The horse barn is 1,600± square feet with a tack room and sucker rod corrals.
Along the west side of the river, there are also some additional improvements. A 4,800± square foot barn, heated shop, working pens, and sucker rod corrals. The corral facilities can handle 600 pairs on the east side of the river, and there is a smaller set of corrals on the west side. New 3,200± square foot heated calving barn. There are heated vet shacks on both sides of the river.
For a hired man or guests, there is a newer 720± square foot home on the southeast side of the river. In addition, there is a new 3,200± square foot calving barn, a 2,400± square foot older barn, and a vet shack.
Water Resources
The ranch is well watered in the traditional sense. There are miles of pipeline that deliver water to stock tanks throughout the ranch. All of the tanks have cement frost-free covers. The ranch borders two miles of the Little White River and the water rights are in place and permitted to irrigate approximately 60 acres along the river. The deep artesian well also feeds 11 water hydrants on the ranch.
In addition to the water locations shown on the map, there are several developed and natural springs located throughout the ranch and shallow wells that service a tank in strategic locations along the river.
There are numerous stock dams throughout the ranch that provide great watering sources for cattle and wildlife.
Mineral Rights
All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will transfer with the sale.
Taxes
Annual real estate taxes are approximately $15,667.
Learn about the recreational amenities
Wildlife Resources
The Little White River Ranch is truly a great recreational property! The current owner is not a big hunter and has only allowed a few hunters on the property over the years. The diverse topography, food, and water sources provide everything that whitetail deer, mule deer, and wild turkeys are looking for. The heavily timbered river bottom is prime habitat for the deer and turkeys. The rolling hills also provide great cover for the mule deer that inhabit the ranch. Antelope and some upland bird hunting is also available. The cover, food sources, and habitat are astounding for wildlife to flourish.
There is fishing for walleye and catfish in the Little White River. Two large spring-fed ponds on the ranch are also loaded with game fish such as bass, crappie, perch, and other species.
Learn about the general operations
General Operations
The ranch has traditionally been operated as cow-calf operation and for hay production. The owner runs 650-700 pairs currently through the winter. Additional grass leases in the area are possible. There are 600± acres of leased dryland farm ground. In the past, the owner has fertilized the dryland. The owner also has the water rights to irrigate an additional 60± acres of ground on the deeded land located along the west side of the river.
The ranch has good perimeter and cross-fencing. Eleven pastures allow efficient rotational grazing on the ranch. Water sources are available in each pasture for cattle. There is also a 2,200± foot artesian well. All stock tanks have concrete lids and are located on fence lines to allow cattle to water in both pastures. The pastures are primarily made up of bluestem, brome and grama grasses. A new owner should independently evaluate ranch carrying capacity to suit their own management style.
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