The Farm, Land & Ranch Blog

Before you visit, please take a look at the virtual ranch tour for one of the most amazing Wyoming ranches for sale. Located about 30 minutes outside the historic town of Cody, WY, the Timber Creek Ranch benefits from the cultural and historical amenities the area offers, and the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park is less than an hour away. Find out more about this Wyoming Ranch for sale

Beretta Gallery in New York

Greg Fay and Chuck Davison traveled to New York City the end of April to give a market update on farm & ranch properties as investments at the handsome Beretta Gallery on Madison Ave. Gretchen Dec from The Wine Cellarage poured some very fine wines for everyone and observed, “The event was an informative gathering of some of the New York metro area’s brightest and most adventurous individuals.” Greg Fay reviewed why people are buying ranches now compared to historical reasons and then moved to fielding questions from the audience. People wanted to know why ranches are good investments, what to look for in purchasing a ranch, what is involved in improving and maintaining a ranch, and how this can be done if you are a city slicker in NYC.

The USDA reported that 2011 U.S. farm income is forecast to reach an all-time high, up 28 percent over 2010, signaling that American agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy and across the west. The theory of farming and ranching being profitable in tough times is bearing itself true. 2012 seems to be only better with the future looking bright.

In Idaho, this amounts to a one-year increase totaling just under $400 million. In the three-year period since 2009, Idaho farm income is projected to have increased by $900 million. In relation to what this has done to the acre price of production ground across Idaho, the dollar per acre is still a relative bargain in comparison to some of the prices seen in the Midwest. For an overall view of the agriculture market, go to Check Out Farm Progress.

Take a look at a fun fly fishing video done not too far from the Diamond B River Ranch, a spectacular cattle ranch property we currently have listed in Emigrant, Montana, just north of the original entrance to Yellowstone National Park. This is a one-of-a-kind ranch, and it is close to a remarkable variety of fishing venues.

The February 27 blog by Christine Penn posted on OrvisNews.com features a fun December outing to Depuy’s Spring Creek in the Paradise Valley by Orvis casting instructor Molly Semenik. “Her fly of choice? A mouse pattern, of course.”

Semenik and another Orvis casting instructor took 1st Place honors in the prestigious Best of the West Casting Competition this last weekend at the International Sportsman’s Expo in Denver, CO.

Please join us at the legendary Beretta Gallery New York on Wednesday, April 25 from 6 to 8 pm. You could win a terrific door prize, make new friends, and pick up some useful information on the investment value of rural property.

David Light of Open Fences magazine and Beretta USA are hosting a fun evening of browsing the premium grade guns, apparel and accessories in the Gallery as well as networking, and discussion with our friends. The Wine Cellarage of New York will be pouring fine wines and appetizers will be served.

Greg Fay will give some guidance about current market conditions and investment opportunities and sharing some stories about fishing and hunting in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and Oregon on some of the beautiful ranches Fay has for sale.

As cattle prices reach uncharted highs, the demand for Wyoming cattle ranches has increased dramatically over the past 6-12 months. Analysts are suggesting that cattle prices may climb 5-8% higher throughout 2012. I have spent a lot of time showing property to some much respected cattlemen and cattlewomen from all over the U.S. the past six months and they all are telling me the same thing across the board, these buyers feel that we will see a strong run in the cattle market for the next 3-5 years before the market peaks and starts its downward trend.

Montana rivers appear to be headed toward a great year, which will benefit both Montana ranches and fly fishermen. As of April 2, the following are the percent of average for the major drainages in Montana:

Madison River – 102%
Jefferson River – 98%
Yellowstone River – 100%
Missouri River – 102%
Smith/Judith/Musselshell Rivers – 110%
Gallatin River – 97%
Tongue River – 119%
Powder River – 106%
Bighorn River – 109%
Kootenai River – 113%
Flathead River – 107%
Bitteroot River – 107%

Today’s ranch buyer has a many options for increasing value and improving stewardship of this unique class of investment asset. Some of these options do not require extensive time, investment, or expertise, but there are consultants available to assist.

Here is a summary of one Landowner’s activities in past two years with an Idaho ranch:

The Landowner bought 705 acres of pastureland and wildlife habitat that encompassed a river and several smaller springs. As an avid hunter, she originally was looking for a weekend retreat with private access to pheasant, quail, ducks and geese—all species found on her property. Working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the local district office of the USDA’s National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), she identified opportunities to improve the quality of the wetland / riparian and upland areas.

A couple weeks ago I [B. Elfland] traveled to Texas to visit friends and tour different parts of the state. What a fun and interesting trip.

First stop, Irma’s in downtown Houston…a must visit I had been told. It was excellent.

Then I spent the next couple of days at 44 Farms in Cameron for their spring bull sale. What a setting for a terrific event! The bulls sold well. 44 Farms is marketing their own brand of “44 beef.” I highly recommend it!

You can see the smiling faces of some of the Fay ranch brokers on the cover spread for the America’s Best Brokerages feature in the spring issue of The Land Report that arrives at magazine stand and mailboxes this week.

This Best Brokerages feature of the quarterly publication known as “The Magazine of the American Landowner” segments its compilation of the leading land brokerages by region. Fay Ranches is grouped with the information on brokerages in the West, and a photo of partners Chuck Davison, James Esperti, Greg Fay, and B. Elfland appears on the cover spread of the Best Brokerages section. (Partner Ryan Flair might have been reeling in Permit in warm waters somewhere with a client.) Fay Ranches appears on page 48 as closing over $100 Million in transactions last year.