Bell-Potts Ranch Rosebud County Forsyth, Montana Clifton M. Berglee, D.V.M. (Listing Broker) cell 406-860-7319 cberglee@montwyowest.com P.O. Box 578, Laurel, Montana Office phone: (406) 896-0501 Website: montwyowest.com
Cows & Ducks DESCRIPTION: The Bell-Potts Ranch covers 10,000 mostly deeded well-blocked acres bisected by Little Porcupine Creek. The high protein gamma grass feeds 300 cows, trophy mule deer, and antelope. LOCATION: The ranch is 20 miles north of Forsyth, Montana, the county seat of Rosebud County. Billings, Montana is 100 miles west of Forsyth via Interstate 94. SERVICES: Forsyth offers a K-12 school, Ford dealership, banks, churches, FSA office, cafes, bars, motels, quick stops, medical clinic, hospital, two veterinary clinics, small airport, groceries, and the Rosebud County Courthouse. Miles City, 44 miles east via Interstate 94, has a major livestock sales barn, irrigation equipment company, farm supplies, hospital, community college, Wal-Mart, and retail shopping. Billings, 100 miles west via Interstate 94, is the medical, business, and transportation hub of Montana. Sheep Tight 6 Wire Fence 2
ACREAGE: 9,371 deeded acres 314 acres BLM allotment 9,785 TOTAL well blocked acres FSA BASE: 19.9 acres barley 10.1 acres oats 6.4 acres wheat 2009 PAYMENT: $222.00 HAYLAND: 188.9 acres flood irrigated 47.4 acres dry hay land Flood Irrigated Meadows Approximately 1,850 deeded acres, owned by the Bell-Potts Ranch, are exchanged with the adjacent neighbors approximately 1,850 acres, for ease of operation. This exchangeof-use has been in place the entire 20+ yrs of the current ownership and extends back for generations. Meadows with Hay Corral along Little Porcupine Creek IRRIGATION: The ranch has 426-acre feet of water rights from the Little Porcupine Creek. This right is reported to be the second oldest right, with a small BLM filing the oldest. 190 acres are flood irrigated. The ranch can pump directly from the creek, or use a diversion dam, to flood irrigate the hay meadows. A new diversion dam is needed. During the spring run off, a 24 head of water can flood the entire meadows in 2 days. 3
WATER: The ranch has 5-6 miles of Little Porcupine Creek, 20 dams or stock pits, 3 wells, and the seasonal drainages of Stellar, Cottonwood, Wolf, and Rattlesnake Creeks. The water is very adequate for stock water, but water is hauled from town for drinking. The ranch has extensive water rights on file. Porcupine Creek Wolf Creek Reservoir Wolf Creek Reservoir is very large, and is annually stocked with 1,500 trout fingerlings. Another reservoir with cattle 4
Ranch Headquarters IMPROVEMENTS: The ranch improvements are cow tough, and cowboy friendly. The comfortable 3,100+ sq. ft., five bedrooms, 2 ½ bath main home feeds the hungry, rests the weary, refreshes the crusty, and entertains the guests. The great kitchen/dining area is the center of ranch life. Main Home Cellar Storage Area Propane fuels the heater, with wood stoves on the main floor and in the finished basement. Comfortable Finished Basement 5
Ranch Yard with 30 X 60 Shop HUNTING: The owner has an outfitting license, and has repeat hunters taking 3-5 mule deer bucks and 5-6 antelope bucks annually. Bunkhouse Antelope and mule deer mounts were taken by guests on the ranch. The bunkhouse has a full bathroom with wash area, freezer room, and four beds. Bunkhouse Interior Calving Shed 6
MINERALS: All owned by the Sellers transfer with the sale. The owners received all of the previous owners minerals. Actual mineral ownership is unknown. TAXES: In 2009, taxes were $5,293.90 ELEVATION: 2,600-3,100 ft above sea level. PRICE & TERMS: $2,900,000 cash Blue Joint Meadow below Wolf Creek Reservoir COMMENTS: The Bell-Potts Ranch is a meticulously managed, mainly deeded, 300 cow ranch located on a good road 20 miles from the county seat. The improvements are nice, the fences are 4-6 wire, and the grass very strong. Come look! Disclaimer All information is from sources deemed reliable, but cannot be guaranteed as accurate. Prospective buyers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction. Any offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of seller. Water rights are subject to the Montana Water Court. 13-year-old cow with big calf An old cow with a big calf in August is the best proof of a ranch s productive quality. Winter Feeding above the Protected Creek Bottom 7
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