VEO Irrigated Farm and Ranch

LOCATIONLocated on the north side of Heart Mountain between Cody and Powell, Wyoming, the ranch sits at the end of the road across a private bridge, but still only 20 minutes from Powell. The farm/ranch sits at an elevation of 5200 feet and has 360 degree views of Heart Mountain, the Beartooth Mountain range, and the Pryor and Big Horn Mountains. The farm/ranch is bordered by state and federal land on three sides and provides access to some of the best hunting in the area. Cody, Wyoming is only 35 minutes and offers many cultural events and dining attractions. Billings, Montana is located 1½ hours north and is the major service center for Wyoming, Montana, North and South Dakota. Billings is also a major retail shopping destination for many and is also known for its outstanding medical facilities. The Logan International airport is just north of Billings.Powell, Wyoming is considered the “friendly spot” whether your visiting friends and family, shopping, on vacation, or looking to relocate. Nestled in the Big Horn Basin of northwest Wyoming, surrounded by the Pryor and Absaroka Mountain ranges, Powell is a recreational paradise with many big town amenities. The Park County School District #1 encompasses a large geographical area and includes Powell, Clark, Garland and Ralston. The District operates with seven schools which include Clark Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, Southside Elementary School, Westside Elementary School, Powell Middle School, Powell High School, and Shoshone Learning Center. Powell Wyoming High School is ranked 3rd in the State of Wyoming based on ACT assessments, graduation rates and college readiness. Current K-12 enrollment is 1,700+ students.Cody Wyoming is considered “one of the best small towns in America” and is just 50 miles from Yellowstone National Park’s east gate and 85 miles from the northeast gate. Cody was created with the help of Buffalo Bill Cody and still retains that western charm and flair. Enjoy the many adventures in Cody by visiting the Buffalo Bill center of the West Museum, or hop the Cody Trolley tour, attend the Cody Nite Rodeo and Dan Miller’s Music review. Cody is the county seat of Park County, Wyoming.ACREAGE AND OPERATIONSThe property is characterized by gentle sloping terrain with most of the acreage being farmed and the balance being pasture with some tree and brush cover. Shelterbelts have been developed to enhance wildlife populations along the outer edges of the pivots. The soils, based on USDA/NRCS surveys are summarized in the brochure. Download for detailed information.Historically, VEO Farm and Ranch has been utilized for agricultural endeavors, which includes an irrigated hay farm and cattle operation. A majority of the deeded acreage is covered with pivot systems, 264.8 acres under pivot, with the balance of the deeded acres being utilized as grazing in winter months. In addition, the state lease contributes an additional 640 acres, with 564.83 +/- acres used as summer pasture and the balance of 71.8 +/- acres being used as irrigated hayground. The lease cost is approximately $3,300/year.The current owner has operated the farm/ranch as a combination of a cow/calf and hay operation. The acreage is perimeter fenced, with interior fencing being smooth wire electric. The fencing and stock water systems have been designed to accommodate an intensive grazing rotation program.CLIMATEThe climate in the region varies depending on the location from the Mountains. The area is classified as a modified continental climate with the valley floors receiving annual precipitation of approximately 14-19” while the mountains receive up to 40”. Based on NRCS/USDA soil surveys, the region experiences 110-150 frost-free days allowing for crops such as hay, small grains and sugar beets to be grown.WILDLIFE AND RECREATIONNorthwest Wyoming and Yellowstone Country is renowned for a natural gathering place for wildlife. Deer, moose, mountain sheep, elk, grizzly bears, black bears, eagles and more can all be found in the Northwest Wyoming corridor with the owners receiving the right to purchase two landowner permits for one of the most sought after areas for elk and antelope. The ranch was originally designed as a bird hunting preserve with the pivots being planted with rings of berry bushes, habitat trees and shrubs. It’s not uncommon to see pheasant, grouse, Hungarian partridge and chuckars on the ranch. Buffalo Bill Dam, Big Horn Lake, and the Shoshone River provide the angler with premier fisheries. And just a short distance away, lies the gateway to Yellowstone National Park with unlimited hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Ranch also borders thousands of acres of public lands including BLM, Bureau of Reclamation and State of Wyoming ground with access continuing onto the Shoshone National Forest. Elk, deer and antelope frequent the property in early morning and evening while spending the remainder of the day in the steep and rugged terrain offered by the adjoining Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation lands.WATER RIGHTS AND RESOURCESIrrigation water is supplied by the Heart Mountain Irrigation District canal with 319 shares (1 acre/share) with multiple turnouts and four pumps for five pivots. The State land is irrigated by one small pivot and several lateral ditches providing water delivery via irrigation tubes.The Heart Mountain Irrigation District is comprised of 31,120 irrigable acres north of the Shoshone River from Cody, Wyoming to about seven miles north of Ralston, Wyoming. The Heart Mountain Canal provides water for the Heart Mountain division. The canal begins at the inlet to the Shoshone River Siphon, which spans the river below the Shoshone Canyon conduit outlet; the canal has an initial capacity of 914 cubic feet per second and a length of about 28 miles. About 140 miles of distribution laterals and 145 miles of open and closed drains also serve the Heart Mountain division. The facility was built by the Bureau of Reclamation in the late 1940’s with water deliveries starting in the early 1950’s. Around 1960 the operation and maintenance was turned over to the Heart Mountain Irrigation District. (From Heart Mountain Irrigation District Website.)Please contact broker for a complete list of Irrigation Equipment.MINERAL RIGHTSSeller will transfer any owned mineral rights.IMPROVEMENTSThe improvements on VEO Farms are complete and functional for a farm/ranch operation and include an outstanding owner’s residence. The manager’s home and 2-story barn with a shop/office and corrals can be found just a short distance from the owner’s residence.Owner's Residence:Designed by Odasz Design Associates, this custom house with post and beam construction is a work of art. Measuring 7,962 square feet, this two-level home includes a 1,400 square feet patio with an outdoor kitchen and a three-car garage.The house is long and runs from east to west, with a massive bank of windows with magnificent views of Heart Mountain and the Beartooth Mountains. The formal entry is on the north side of the residence, with access to the main living space, which includes the great room, half bath and office. Moving from the entry south into the great room, you enter the center of the home which features a massive 24’ vaulted ceiling with exposed timbers composed of Douglas fir, with a wall of windows framing Heart Mountain and a 24’ fireplace. West of the great room, is the dining room and a chef’s kitchen features a 6-burner gas stove, double ovens, prep sink, 24 square foot island, baker’s counter with walk in butler’s pantry. The kitchen cabinetry is custom knotty alder with beautiful granite countertops. Off of the kitchen, is a large mud room with custom floor to ceiling cubicles, a dog wash, deep sink, washer/dryer, a place for a freezer with matching alder cabinetry and granite countertops with access to the garage. To the east of the great room, is the master suite with master bath and custom walk-in closet and private access to a 1,400 square foot deck overlooking Heart Mountain. A guest suite is just off of the entry and to the north and features a master bedroom and private bath, kitchenette, and sleeping loft.On the lower level, you enter the comfortable family room with wet bar and French door access to the patio and outdoor kitchen. West of the family room, you pass through the library, with custom shelving and built-in desk, into two comfortable guest rooms with a Jack and Jill bathroom and attached guest laundry room. The highlight of the lower level is the theater room with raised seating, surround sound and a 12’ screen. The lower level also boasts a home gym with in-ground lap pool with expansive windows and access to the patio and outdoor kitchen.The exterior of the home has a maintenance-free stucco finish with timber finishes, extending out from the interior. The outer walls of the home feature 8” of concrete with 3.5” of Styrofoam insulation for a 15” thickness, creating an air tight and quiet interior. Finishing off this magnificent home is professionally landscaped yard with elk silhouettes inset in the retaining walls, complimenting the outdoor kitchen.Ranch Manager's Residence:The ranch manager’s residence features a 2007 three-bedroom, two-bath modular home with attached 900 square foot garage, with master suite, kitchen with stainless steel appliances, large dining room and living room and bonus/family area. The open floor plan with abundant windows offers a light and airy feel with views of the mountains.Shop: An 70'x110' large 2+ story shop/barn with 2nd story office space lies adjacent to the ranch manager’s home. Two sets of pipe corrals make up the cattle handling/shipping facilities with one set located next to the shop and the other set located west of both homes. SUMMARYVEO Irrigated Farm and Ranch provides the very best in lifestyle and livelihood with a beautiful owner’s home and a complete working farm and ranch. The property is well located with spectacular views of Heart Mountain and easy access to Powell or Cody.