Clark Fork Valley Ranch

The Clark Fork Valley Ranch is a magnificent all-encompassing cattle ranch in a valley of long-time agricultural production. The ranch is comprised of 2,287+/- deeded acres plus a 200 cow Forest Service lease.  640 of the acres are sprinkler irrigated and 33 are wheel line irrigated with solid senior water rights. The ranch has raised everything from corn and potatoes to handsome stands of alfalfa. The carrying capacity is greatly impacted from how many irrigated acres are grazed.

With such a large number of irrigated acres, the amount of cattle forage or crops generated from this property is tremendous.

The cattle handling facilities are first class and in great shape. The working alley, tub, certified scale and load out make processing cattle super-efficient with this set up. There is a nicely graveled drive way for semis to pull into with plenty of space to turn around to back up to the steel load out. The cherry on top is when the cattle enter the silencer chute that is located inside a heated barn at the west end of the facility.

There is a nice ranch home on the property that is 4,204 sq. ft. and has 3 beds and 2 baths.

The ranch does not have a conservation easement in place.

The Warm Springs summer country is comprised of basically two deeded sections that flow on to the forest service allotment. There is a set of corrals and a well at the bottom end of the pasture. Then a series of tanks run up country for cattle water.

In general, the cattle are turned out the back gate onto the forest. Depending on the year that may change based on rotational resting and precipitation. The cattle that are on the forest utilize “Vence” neck collars to track there whereabouts and assist in grazing rotation and keeping them in the right area.

All of these different components come together in perfect harmony to create this balanced Montana Ranch. All encompassing, meaning this ranch provides everything from the winter forage, calving facilities and summer pasture to create a quality life for the livestock 365 days a year. Solid senior water rights and quality soil. These are the two components needed to make feed, and this place has it. Put this all together and it is a winning combination when considering investing in Montana real estate.

Come take a look at this great Montana Ranch in the “Best Last Place.”

LOCATION:

CLARK FORK VALLEY RANCH: Located in the beautiful Deer Lodge Valley about 8.5 miles outside of Deer Lodge, MT.

DEER LODGE:  About 8.5 miles away along I-90 West. Deer Lodge Valley is a meadowland surrounded on the east and the west by mountain ranges. More museums and historical collections can be found here than in any other town in the Northwest. Deer Lodge’s 1,500-acre Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site illustrates the development of the northern plains cattle industry from the 1850s to recent times. This was the headquarters of one of the largest and best-known 19th-century range ranches in the country.

ANACONDA:  14 miles away sits Anaconda. Humbled by the towering Pintlers, nestled in a mile high valley in the Deer Lodge National Forest, Anaconda presents unsurpassed recreational opportunity just outside town, in any direction. The town sprang up when the giant Anaconda Copper Mining Company of Butte needed a smelter for its vast amounts of copper ore. Smelting operations were suspended in 1980, but “The Stack” remains an important landmark and state park.

BUTTE: About 30 miles from the ranch via I-90 East. The Butte Hill and its huge copper deposits was once known as “the richest hill on earth.” Today Butte’s colorful history can be seen in its preserved Victorian uptown business district and stately mansions. The Butte Trolley tours historic sites in the summer. Activities and guided services for this area include ranch vacations, natural hot springs, hiking, boating, resort cabins, river floats, hunting, fishing, horseback rides, golf, cross-country and downhill skiing, and snowmobiling.

MISSOULA: About an hour to the west is Missoula, MT. Known as the “Garden City” for its dense trees and lush green landscape, Missoula is nestled in the heart of the northern Rockies where five valleys converge. Missoula is a center for education, medicine, retail and the arts. Located at the base of Mount Sentinel and the banks of the Clark Fork River is The University of Montana. The 200-acre campus is one of the most beautiful in the nation and is home to 12,000 students. Fly fishermen, rafters, kayakers and canoers thrive on the nearby waters.