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Land Investor Guide
Strategies for Managing Wildlife to Cultivate Trophy-Quality Animals
I have been a student of animal health my whole life. Growing up in Eastern Oregon on a 22,000 acre ranch ignited an interest in the wildlife our land hosted from a young age. This land was not only a source of sustenance and livelihood for my family but also ignited an enduring passion for […]
Precision & Passion: The Art of Long-Range Shooting
The Thrill and Precision of Long-Range Shooting Long-range shooting, as both a sport and a skill, marries the thrill of precision, the challenge of distance, and the art of marksmanship. This discipline extends beyond merely hitting a target; it encompasses an understanding of ballistics, environmental factors, and meticulous equipment calibration. In the realm of sports, […]
Land, Legacy, and Opportunity: The Essence of Ranch Ownership
As a co-host on the Land Investor Podcast, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with remarkable individuals whose profound expertise spans diverse subjects such as conservation, nurturing wildlife habitats, restoring streams, responsible land management, and successful ranch operations. Reflecting on these enriching episodes, a recurring theme becomes strikingly evident – the opportunity of ownership. Delving […]
Eradicating Cheatgrass in Rangeland Operations
Cattle ranching plays a crucial role in global food production, providing a significant portion of the world’s meat supply. However, one of the persistent challenges faced by ranchers is the encroachment of invasive species, notably cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), on rangeland. Cheatgrass is a highly adaptable and aggressive grass that not only competes with native vegetation […]
Virtual Fencing: The Newest Innovation in Livestock Containment and Range Management
If you take a drive through the modern-day New England countryside, you will still find stone walls lining the edges of historic farm properties. These charming walls were very labor-intensive to build, as stones were removed from farm fields out of necessity; this created an opportunity to repurpose those stones for the containment of livestock […]
Montana’s New Game-Changer: House Bill 635 and Four Other Proven Strategies to Maximize Hunting Opportunities for Non-Resident Landowners
In one of our more recent Land Investor Podcast episodes, Montana Hunting Tags: Resident and Non-Resident Applications, my co-host Matt Henningsen and I dive into the strategies accessible to a non-resident landowner aiming to enhance their chances of obtaining a general license or special permit for big game hunting in Montana. Before I get into […]
Wyoming: Past, Present, Future – Crafting a Legacy
If you have embarked on a drive through the American West, the exploration will likely include the State of Wyoming. The state echoes with the whispers of its past, stands proudly in the present, and tirelessly builds its future. From the rutted tracks of the Oregon Trail to the cutting-edge frontiers of energy, Wyoming provides […]
Strategic Investments: Practical Improvements to Enhance Your Property’s Value
As the fiscal year winds down, you may find yourself in the fortunate position of having enjoyed a prosperous year on your ranch or farm or through other business ventures. Now, you’re contemplating reinvesting in your property. This is a great position to be in, offering the potential opportunity to offset income for tax purposes […]
Investing for Now: A Ranch Broker and Interior Designer Discuss Common Hurdles Facing Modern Ranch Investors
Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a shift in the needs and wants of buyers. Pre-pandemic buyers typically wanted to buy bare land and build their own dream as opposed to buying into someone else’s. But that narrative has shifted. Buyers are looking for ranches they can enjoy now to serve as a refuge for their […]
Seasons of the Southeast: Fall is in the Air
The signs are here, and the mornings and evenings start to carry a cooler breeze. The dove fields cool down both in temperature and action. The days are still warm, but the cycle of Autumn is upon us. Soon, there will be a changing of the leaves along the plateaus and mountains and a cooling […]
Three Compelling Reasons to Invest in Costa Rica
Costa Rica sits in the southern part of Central America. It offers miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, 28 National Parks, and temperatures that stay favorable year-round. Being easily accessible by air from a wide range of destinations and offering extraordinary scenery and adventure has made it a thriving […]
Social Capital in the Rural West
Welcome to the West! Maybe you have already been fortunate enough to purchase the ranch you have been dreaming of, or perhaps you are considering a move and searching for the perfect fit. You may already know that such an investment requires learning about water rights, mineral rights, river accretion and avulsion, carrying capacity, federal […]
FENCING CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR NEW RANCH
When buying a new farm or ranch, it can be easy to overlook the potential cost, time, and effort ofpersonalizing fencing applications. Fencing needs will vary widely from property to property, basedon the previous operations of the farm or ranch, how the fencing was kept up, and whether or notthe fence is on the property […]
COLORADO RIVER: LIFEBLOOD OF THE WEST
“Whiskey is for drinking. Water is for fighting.” You’ve heard this proverbial quote before, and today you hear it louder and more often in the Colorado River Basin. Western water law, western states water compacts, water policy, and decisions about how this limited public resource is allocated will continue to be extremely complex, and will […]
Why You’d Love Central and Eastern Oregon
Considering a move, but not sure where the ideal location might be? Check out Central and Eastern Oregon! When people picture Oregon, they often think of the coastline, beaches, sea life, and warm, wet climate. However, Central and Eastern Oregon have a more varied geography and climate. These areas feature multiple mountain ranges, valleys and […]
5 Things All Landowners Should Know About Renewable Energy Opportunities
In 1820 the United States Government started selling publicly held land for $1.25 per acre. This event allowed citizens in urban areas new opportunities, but buying land in unsettled areas was only practical for some. Later, Congress was urged to offer free land to encourage more settlement in these unestablished regions. The Homestead Act was […]
Selling Your Ranch: How to Prepare and What to Expect
My career in selling land began in 1986, and I founded Fay Ranches in 1992. Over the years, I’ve been involved in some of the most significant land transactions in several states, including farms, ranches, timber, and plantations. I’ve seen and learned a few things over the years. This article will hopefully help you understand […]
How to Grow Sustainable Profit Through Analyzing Ranch Performance
In late August 2021, as the world settled into the bottom half of the Covid pandemic, the sale of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card in near-perfect condition grabbed headlines when it sold for a staggering $12,600,000.00, making it the largest amount ever paid for a piece of sports memorabilia. In my last article, […]
How to Build Wealth by Renovating and Upgrading Ranches
Renovating residential homes has been a hot topic for many years. Television has promoted the process of upgrading real estate through multiple shows across several networks. However, did you know upgrading and renovating farm and ranch properties has also become popular? The rising price of agricultural land has made it difficult for the average producer […]
Grasslands CRP Program
It was once said, “The best thing about the land is the landscape.” A good point, but what is also very rewarding is an additional return on your investment through special programs designed to protect and preserve that landscape. Many landowners are unaware of ongoing incentives for maintaining or enhancing certain portions of their property, […]
Succession Planning
To Sell or Not to Sell? After decades of ownership, generations of family succession, years of toil, blood, sweat, and tears, drought, floods, fires, depression, great successes, failures, and everything in between, you now have arrived at the point of needing to create a plan that guides the future for your ranch and your family […]
