Low-Overhead Livestock & Dryland-Farm
Stillwater County
LOCOMOTIVE BUTTE RANCH
The Ranch encompasses 2,104± deeded acres that are a mixture of native pasture, timbered coulees, dramatic rock rims and productive dryland crop.
Native Range, Pasture, and Timber Dryland Crop |
1,709± Acres 395± Acres |
*** All Acreage Values per Montana Cadastral records.
Locomotive Butte Ranch has been running about 100-150 cattle seasonally on a lease and is estimated by the Sellers to carry about 100± Animal Units on an annual basis with supplemental hay. Typically, winters in this country are open and ranchers often feed less than one ton of hay per cow from late December to mid-May – contingent on the severity of the winter and operational timing, with weaning and shipping typically done in October or November.
Historically calving has been done out in the pastures when weather permits, or should Mother Nature dictate, moved into corrals closer to the improvements for supplemental feed and shelter. After calving, livestock is typically moved into the pastures closest to the improvements and then moved to summer pasture on the upper portion of the Ranch until late fall when the cropland is grazed after harvest. The spring of 2019 has provided excellent moisture and the pastures are all in excellent condition.
Improving fencing and stock water has been a primary focus of the Ranch management for many decades, as reliable stock water in this part of the state is at a premium. Locomotive Butte Ranch is blessed with an artesian well at the elevated southern end of the Ranch that is connected via pipeline and gravity flows to a well-designed concrete stock tank in every pasture. This stock-water network provides reliable year-round water to the entire Ranch. This well-and-tank system is supplemented by a small perennial stream that bisects the Ranch and a couple of additional spring-fed tanks. This stock-water network allows multiple pastures to be used on a year-round basis and provides operational flexibility with water within about half a mile of every pasture. There are five cross-fenced pastures on the Ranch, each with reliable stock water, which is a huge benefit in an area that historically has presented stock-water challenges for ranchers.
The dryland crop has been leased to a very progressive and diligent local farmer, who has regularly yielded more bushels per acre than surrounding cropland due to the excellent soil profile and farming expertise In years with typical moisture, the dryland wheat will average about 60 bushels per acre, and in drought years the soil profile has still produced crops when many other area fields failed.
Both the ranch and farm tenants would be interested in continuing their leases should a new owner be interested.
The small town of Rapelje, about 20 minutes south with a population of about 110 residents, offers a post office, church, K-12 school, and the Stockman Café – a community-owned restaurant that combines with Sunday church service to form the weekly social outlet and the primary hub of the town.
Conveniently located just 25 miles south of Rapelje, Columbus, the county seat of Stillwater County with a county population of just over 9,500, is a regional hub of commerce, medical and business services. Columbus provides all of the basic services and is home to many restaurants, bars, churches, and a progressive business community along with a historic and classic Main Street that accurately portrays the balanced and healthy Montana lifestyle. An excellent elementary- and high-school system, the Pre-K through 12th-grade public schools offers quality public education with experienced teachers and good parent involvement. The high school is categorized as a Class B school and provides a great learning environment and competitive interscholastic athletic programs that are always very competitive in a variety of boys’ and girls’ sports.
Approximate distances to other Montana cities and points of interest from the Ranch:
Rapelje, MT Ryegate, MT Columbus, MT Harlowtown, MT Billings, MT Red Lodge, MT Bozeman, MT Yellowstone National Park via Beartooth Highway |
14 miles |
Modular Home
Metal Building
Historic Barn
Corrals
Grain Bin
Number | Priority Date | Means of Diversion | Source |
40A 30016630 | 2005.09.1 | Domestic, Stock | Groundwater |
‘Ryegate is the city where they market lots of wheat
Ryegate is the city that has never known defeat
Ryegate is the city that should be the county seat
The best town in Golden Valley County!”
Locomotive Butte Ranch is a must see for buyers looking for an exceptionally beautiful and private ranch in a little-known area of Montana, coupled with agricultural production, good stock water, solid grass and dryland crop land in one of Central Montana’s classic agricultural communities. The setting must be experienced to fully appreciate, as it is truly a hidden treasure with privacy, big views, wildlife and a peaceful setting. Modest improvements that are very livable create an opportunity for the next owner to put their capital into the land and operation while creating an open-ended opportunity for future expansion.
OFFERING PRICE and CONDITIONS OF SALE
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- All offers to purchase or letters of intent must be in writing and accompanied by a wire transfer of 5.0% of the purchase price to the escrow account at First Montana Title Company of Billings;
- Earnest money deposits will be placed in escrow with First Montana Title Company of Billings;
- All Prospective Buyers must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Sellers absolute financial capability to purchase the Ranch prior to scheduling an inspection of the Ranch;
- The Sellers will provide and pay for a standard owner’s title insurance policy. Any endorsements requested by the Buyer or any lender will be at Buyer’s expense. Title to the real property will be conveyed by a deed;
- All of the water right claims controlled by the Ranch will be transferred to the Buyer at Closing, and all of the mineral rights which the Sellers actually own will be conveyed to the Buyer at Closing;
- Buyers’ Brokers are welcomed and invited to contact listing broker Tim Anderson in our Bozeman Office for information regarding Cooperation Policies.
TERMS OF INSPECTION
Timothy Anderson
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