1,908 Acres, Blaine County – Edith Valley Summer Range

This property is also available as North Loup River Ranch

Edith Valley Summer Range
1908.79 Deeded Acres
2022 RE TAXES $9,098.02
$2,000,000

Location – Overview – Nebraska Sandhills – High Plains Aquifer

The North Loup River Ranch is a Nebraska ranch for sale located in the north central heart of the Nebraska Sandhills approximately 95 miles northeast from North Platte, Nebraska near the village of Brewster, county seat of Blaine County. From Brewster, the ranch is located approximately three miles east via good county road.

The non-contiguous Edith Valley Summer Range is located approximately 8 miles southwest from the North Loup River Ranch-Tract 1. It has three windmills and three solar wells for livestock water. The two tracts can be purchased together or separately. They are currently being operated as one unit.

The Nebraska Sandhills have a national, long standing reputation, as one of the finest cattle producing regions in the United States. It is the nation’s largest undisturbed native grassland area and covers approximately 13 million acres in 20 counties located in the north central part of the state. The sandhill grasses are vigorous and nutritious and have proven to be drought tolerant.

The High Plains Aquifer, also known, as the Ogallala Aquifer, has its heart located in the Nebraska Sandhills. It is the largest fresh water aquifer in the continental U.S. and supports fresh water bearing material where the ranch is located in the range of 400’ to 600’ in depth. This allows for shallow water wells that produce abundant quantities of excellent quality stock water by comparison to other cattle producing regions.

Edith Valley Summer Range RAINFALL
The rainfall belt in the area and location of this ranch ranges from 20 -24 inches per year with the majority of it falling during the grass growing season. It is generally considered consistent and reliable to the extent that cattle sell downs because of drought are rare.

Edith Valley Summer Range RECREATION
This entire ranch is wildlife friendly for both Mule and White tail deer, and wild turkey. Both Sharp-tail and Prairie grouse are prime upland species in the area. Waterfowl hunting is also available with the North Loup River sloughs and many Sandhill lakes in the area.

Edith Valley Summer Range CATTLE MARKETS
With such high cattle numbers in the state, Nebraska has long been known to support several sale barns in the Sandhills. Good sale barns are located in Broken Bow, Bassett, Burwell, and Erickson just to name a few. There are special sales in the form of special stock cow, bred heifer, calf, and yearling sales throughout the year. Nebraska also has video auction sales which more and more ranchers are utilizing for the stocker-feeder cattle.

MINERALS
The current ownership will retain all owned minerals.

EXCHANGES
The current ownership will cooperate with 1031 exchanges.

APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT AND REVENUE
The family has owned this ranch for over five decades in an owner-operator posture. They have run approximately 350 cows with replacements and bulls on a year around basis on the total acreage of 6242.36 acres. With just the North Loup River Ranch and without the Edith Valley Summer Range the ownership would estimate the ranch to run 200 to 250 cows with replacements and bulls on a year around basis on the 4333.57 acres. Management could put up hay sufficient to winter the cattle and graze the balance of the ranch. The estimated hay production for the last five years has been a low of 353 Ton to a high of 938 Ton with an average of 686 Ton for the five year average.

The ranch resource has been analyzed for estimated carrying capacity relative to time, use, and balance under what would be a typical use in a landlord posture. Sub irrigated meadow acres have been estimated by Surety measurement. The NRCS acreage measurements have also been recognized.

Edith Valley Summer Ranch Landlord Estimated Carrying Capacity and Revenue Estimate
1909 acres sandhill native range grazing @ .65 AUMS-1241 AUMS
1241 AUMS/5 months/1.5 BWE – 165 Pair @ $75/pair/month 5 months – $61,875 LL Share
1241 AUMS/12 months – 103 AUS or 18.5 Acres/AU

Ranch Gross Income
$61,875.00
Real Estate Taxes          $9,100.00
R & R                              $2,000.00
NET LL Income Est    $50,775.00

BROKER COMMENTS
A ranch that has been under single ownership for five decades. Two miles of North Loup River traversing through the south heart of the ranch makes it especially attractive for recreational opportunities as well as for the support of the sub irrigated river meadow for hay production. Also, the private fishing on the ranch sets it apart from the average Sandhill ranch. In addition, the ranch supports, adjacent to the building site, a private, maintained grass air strip that can accommodate small aircraft.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
This ranch is an opportunity for one wanting an investment either as an owner operator or a landlord. Current ranch management has been on the ranch in excess of 20 years and may be available to assist in the management of the ranch going forward. There is also a 1031 exchange opportunity.