Nebraska Hard Grass Ranch

Land Description

The Nebraska Hard Grass Ranch encompasses 8,600+/- acres of deeded ranchland having been in the same family for 50 years. The main ranch lies just to the north and west of the scenic town of Chadron, Nebraska. The property provides excellent natural forage from the short grass prairie' grasslands which are known for packing on hard pounds throughout the season. The property has good access to US Hwy 385 which runs from Chadron, NE to Rapid City, SD. The headquarters lie along the White River providing solid winter protection and the pastures are gently rolling with both excellent turf and water characteristics. Backed up by quality improvements, this reputation ranch represents a productivity and profitable ranch operation. The Nebraska Hard Grass Ranch is located in Dawes County, Nebraska and just a few miles northwest of Chadron off of Hwy 385. Access to the north end of the ranch where shipping corrals are located is by a county road off of Highway 385. Chadron is the county seat for Dawes County and offers a regional hospital, Chadron State College, and a small jet capable commercial airport, brand name hotels and stores along with other major services. Acreage & Water The ranch consists of 8,621 deeded acres of high-quality ranch land in Dawes County, Nebraska. The lands are gently rolling to rolling and bisected by both Bull Creek and Lone Tree Creek. The ranch is cross fenced into multiple pastures with each pasture having multiple water sources being reservoirs, creeks and dual pipeline systems. The summer pastures are cross fenced into larger pastures. There is a historical wintering area along Lone Tree Creek which can be hayed or grazed for winter feed. The ranch principally relies on pipeline water and has two separate pipeline water systems. Its own system which includes two wells one a 20 gpm solar well and the second and electric backup well, 25,000 gallons of water storage, 26 miles of Hdpe pipeline and 25 newer 12' tire-tank drinkers. Also serving the ranch is the Wayside Livestock Water Company along which the ranch owns another 25 12 tire tank drinkers. Wayside is a community pipeline servicing about 10 ranches including this one and board approval is required for a new owner to join the pipeline. The Nebraska Hard Grass Ranch has 290 acres of deeded dry cropland and 98 acres of leased irrigated land near the headquarters. The ranch leases 674 acres of grassland from an absentee owner which would likely continue. The quality hard grass varieties on the ranch include both cool and warm season species including Green Needle Grass, Indian Rice Grass, Western Wheatgrass, Thick spike Wheatgrass, Slender Wheatgrass, Blue Grama, Buffalo Grass, Little Bluestem, Prairie Sand reed, Side Oats Grama, Hairy Grama and Switch Grass among others. The ranch has in place a Grassland CRP contract, under a brand new Nrcs program for management of grasslands with a rotation component to maintain grassland health. The 15-year program provides a payment of $51,929 per year $10.45 per acre per year and is only on part of the property. A remaining 2,665 acres of grass lands qualify to be placed in the program in the coming year at the same rate of $10/Acre. The program is designed to create a rotational management program and maintaining records of cattle movement from pasture to pasture. Improvements The Nebraska Hard Grass Ranch is well improved with quality and functional building improvements as follows Main Home - adding a historic feature to the ranch is the completely restored 1890 Victorian Home which was moved by the current owners from eight miles east of Chadron and completely restored with new wiring, insulation, heating systems, from 2005 to 2008. Featured in the January 2013 issue of Nebraska Life, the home is a hallmark of historical significance and restored to maintain much of its original character. The home offers elegant living space with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and complete basement. Detached Garage - 12 x 22 Morton steel shop - 50x80, built in 2008, with heated garage, partial concrete floor Equipment Shed - 24x84, older wooden open-faced shed Calving Barn - 20X60, older wooden building Utility Building - 10 x 24 Calf Shelter - built in 2017, 12 X 3 on skids Loafing Sheds - two older sheds, each 20 x 56 Overhead Feed Bin - steel hopper bottom, 9'diameter, 14' tall Overhead Feed Bin - steel hopper bottom, 9' diameter, 20' tall Working facilities - tub, adjustable alley, cement pads for two working chutes large windbreaks Secondary Home - 1989 Modular sits on a core poured block wall basement with heated two car attached garage Steel Shop - 40' x 43' Quonset 500 head working/shipping corrals - with tub, adjustable alley way water in pens, located in northwest corner of ranch Locale Amenities Dawes County is an agricultural neighborhood that benefits from the scenic White River and Pine Ridge area. The Pine Ridge area, characterized by a stretch of Pinetree landscape bisecting Sioux and Dawes Counties from Wyoming to South Dakota, is a natural draw for tourists enroute to Yellowstone or the Black Hills as well as equestrians, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. Area attractions include Fort Robinson in nearby Crawford, the Nebraska National Forest, Lake Angostura, a great fishing/boating amenity just into South Dakota as well as the nearby Black Hills attractions. Summary The Nebraska Hard Grass Ranch offers a reputation ranch in a highly sought-after area. The quality of the ranch is highlighted by the years of care from the multi-generational family ownership. Whether one wants to run a year-round spring or fall calving operation or a large stocker operation, these lands together with generations of improvements affords all the elements to do so. With proximity off a paved highway and close to town you will not want to miss this opportunity.