The Schwenke Ranch truly is a dream property for any cattle producer. The mild winters, reliable water sources, and productive grass allow for a successful operation.
The ranch has been in the Schwenke family since the 1970’s, and the property has been meticulously maintained with the utmost spirit of land stewardship in mind. Currently, the ranch is run as a cow/calf operation which can support 562 pairs. Calving season in spring during April is typically an easy season due to the mild winters that Central Montana is known for. Summer season is busy with branding calves and rotating cattle to their appropriate summer pastures throughout the 62,000± acres. There are 18 stock tanks that are fed by a live spring that acts as a major water line plus there are 23 reservoirs throughout the property. These two factors combined make sure that all livestock are watered even in the driest of years. Fence lines throughout the property have been well kept and are in good condition plus the uniqueness of the landscape also provides natural boundary lines with the deep valleys and impressive ridge lines.
Easily accessed from Power Plant Ferry Road, which is a maintained county gravel road and just 2 miles from Highway 66, the ranch headquarters is home to the majority of improvements. There you will find the 2,200 sq. ft. main home which contains 3 beds, 1.5 baths with an attached 2 car garage which is ideal for vehicle and general storage. Situated just behind the home is a deep reservoir filled by Cyprian Creek which a new owner could stock as a private fishing area. Also found at the ranch headquarters are two pole barns that are 50 ft. x 70 ft. and 40 ft. x 60 ft. that are used for equipment storage and a mechanic shop. The 50 ft. x 20 ft. newly built calving barn is also situated at the headquarters just by the house, which makes calving simple and easy due to the easy access and reliability of the structure. For the cattle working corrals, a continuous pipe fence makes working cattle simple. To complete the improvements is a 150 ft. x 300 ft. outdoor arena which has been a great source of recreation in the summer months.
LEASES
Bureau of Land Management 55,872± acres
This 10 year lease program is a shared allotment with 4 total permittees. In 2022 the cost per AUM was a minimal $1.31.
state of montana 1,600± acres
sQUARE BUTTE GRAZING ASSOCIATION
299 corporate shares of the Square Butte Grazing Association will transfer that grant the user 6 AUM’s per share, equalling 1,794 AUM’s.
An additional 100 AUM private lease is also available post closing.
All water rights owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing and all required filings with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) will transfer the current water rights as they exist – with no warranty of future viability. Water rights in the State of Montana are subject to re-adjudication by the DNRC and may be determined by the court to be modified in validity, amount, priority, date, and place of use. All mineral rights owned by the Seller for the subject property will convey to the Buyer at closing.