11,986 Acres, Scotts Bluff County- Signal Butte Ranch

This Nebraska ranch is also for sale in individual tracts

Situated in Scotts Bluff County in the Western Nebraska Panhandle, the Signal Butte Ranch offers 11,986± acres of Nebraska ranchland that is rich in history, beauty, and wildlife. The ranch lies in two non-contiguous tracts, all of which have excellent location and access via county gravel roads. Established in the 1980’s by George and Ellen Nazarian, this husband and wife team worked together to run a successful ranching operation. George operated the ranch and put the land together, while Ellen focused on building a registered Gelbvieh cattle herd and had annual bull sales at the ranch. The Gelbvieh breed originated in Bavaria, Germany in the 1800’s. It was once a triple-purpose breed for meat, milk, and for use as a draft animal. The ranch has operated for close to 40 years, and is now being offered for sale for the first time.

Signal Butte Ranch – Tract 2, also known as Cedar Canyon Ranch, consists of 2,927± acres and can be utilized for superior wildlife hunting as well as cattle grazing. The majority of the acres are timbered rangeland creating a perfect environment for top-notch hunting. This ranch is filled with an abundance wildlife including deer and turkey.

Signal Butte Ranch – Tract 3, the largest of the three tracts, has 9,058± acres and is the working ranch with incredible recreation. Mule deer, whitetail deer, and Merriam Turkey are in great abundance here. While this parcel is primarily rangeland, there are 136 flood irrigated acres (5 parcels). The rainfall belt ranges from 14-16” annually.

A historical landmark known as Signal Butte stands prominently on this tract, and is registered as a National Historical Site. The Butte was an archaeological find in 1939, and the artifacts can been seen on display at the Smithsonian Institute. Throughout the 1800’s, pioneers used this historical ground as they made their way Westward carving out both the Oregon and Mormon Trails, which can still be seen. There is one marked grave site that was established in 1866.

NOTE: Part of Tract 3 cannot be grazed until September 2023. There is an approved EQIP Program that will pay the Seller $79,341 for fire damage on tract 3 only. Payment is for fire damage to the pasture in 2022.

Both tracts are leased for the upcoming grazing and farming season. There will be approximately 14 miles of fencing installed through the NRCS EQIP Program. This would be for all fire damaged fence. There will be 3,000 ponderosa pine planted in April 2023.

A landlord income estimate is included and has been developed for a prospective investor that may be interested in buying all or portions of the ranch as an investment along with the hunting amenities that Tract 2 and Tract 3 provide.

County Assessed Acres

Flood Irrigated: 134.99±
Drycrop: 656.34±
Range:11,093.25±
Improvement Site:13.97±
Springs & Stock Dams:14.99±
Canal:16.85±
Roads:55.87±
Total Taxable Acres: 11,986.26±

Estimated Taxes: $89,503.78

Water Rights
Gering Ft. Laramie Ditch Co. (286.2 Allocated Acres)

Allocation
Tract 2: 136 Acres

Water Tax
Tract 2: $4,522.00 ($33.25/acre)

TRACT 2 Called Cedar Canyon Ranch is a prime hunting property located in the western portion of the Wildcat Hills. It also will generate cattle grazing income.

Location 4 Miles south & 4 Miles west of Gering, NE

County Acres
2907.41 Timberland Range Acres
2 Improvements
12.62Water (Stock Dam)
2.63 Canal
3.01 Waste
2927.67 Total Taxable Acres per Scotts Bluff County Assessor

LANDLORD REVENUE ESTIMATE
Tract 2 – 2,927.67 Deeded Acres
Scotts Bluff County, NE – Cedar Canyon Ranch

Estimated Hunting Lease Income $13,000.00

2,927.67 Acres Rangeland/Timber-Grazed @ .3 AUMs/Acre
*AUMs/Acre are within NRCS guidelines, rainfall belt, timber population, ecological sites/soils.
2,927.67 Acres @ .3 AUMs/Acre = 878 estimated AUMs of grazing
878 AUMs/Acre/5 Months/1.5 Body Weight Equivalents = 117 Pair
117 Pair @ $45/Pair @ 5 Months = $26,325
$26,325 divided by 2,927.67 Acres = $9.00/Acre CE

Estimated Gross Income $39,325.00
2022 Real Estate Taxes -20,712.90
Repair, Replacement, Insurance -3,000.00
Estimated Net Landlord Income $15,612.10
Estimated $15,600.00

TRACT 3 Called Signal Butte Ranch being the largest tract and is considered the working ranch. Portions of this ranch has Oregon, California, and Mormon trail presence on it.

One of the most significant landmarks on the ranch is a quite elevated natural bluff toward the west of the ranch called Signal Butte. Long before the days of the white man arrival, the Native Americans utilized this tall butte as a signal/religious site. It stands very prominently on the ranch and has received national, historic attention in the last century.

Tract 3 also supports a small amount of gravity irrigation that also receives its water rights from the Gering/Fort Laramie Ditch Company.

Location 6 Miles west of Gering, NE

County Acres
134.99 Flood Irrigated Acres
656.34 Dry Crop Acres
8185.84 Range Acres
4.00 Home Site
2.37 Water
15.21Canal
5.97 Waste
53.87 Roads
9,058.59 Total Taxable Acres per Scotts Bluff County Assessor

LANDLORD REVENUE ESTIMATE

Tract 3 – 134.99 Deeded Acres (5 irrigated parcels)
Scotts Bluff County, NE – Signal Butte Ranch – Gravity Irrigated

134.99 Acres Gravity Irrigated @ $175/Acre = $23,623.25

Estimated Gross Income $23,623.00
Water Right Tax (LLEX) -4,522.00
Repair, Replacement, Insurance    -1,000.00
Estimated Net Landlord Income $18,101.00
Estimated $18,000,000

Tract 3 – 8,923.60 Deeded Acres
Scotts Bluff County, NE – Signal Butte Ranch – Rangeland/Timber

Estimated Hunting Lease Income $35,000.00

8,923.60 Acres Dryland/Rangeland/Timber-Grazed @ .325 AUMs/Acre
*AUMs/Acre are within NRCS guidelines, rainfall belt, timber population, ecological sites/soils.
8,923.60 Acres @ .325 AUMs/Acre = 2,900 estimated AUMs of grazing
2,900 AUMs/Acre/5 Months/1.5 Body Weight Equivalents = 387 Pair
387 Pair @ $45/Pair @ 5 Months = $87,075
$87,075 divided by 8,923.60 Acres = $9.75/Acre CE

Estimated Gross Income $122,075.00
2022 Real Estate Taxes -61,313.10
Repair, Replace, Insurance -9,000.00
Estimated Net Landlord Income $51,761.90
Estimated $51,750.00
Estimated Crop Net Income $18,000.00
Total Net Income $69,750.00

Address: Gering, NE 69341
County: Scotts Bluff