Oregon Experiencing High Demand for Farms, Ranches

By Jerry Hicks, Principal Broker, Licensed in OR

It’s that time of year when we lucky brokers at Fay Ranches get to see new ranches and explore magnificent rural and remote sporting properties.

It is also the time of year when more sellers start listing their properties. Spring is always a busy time of year for us, but this year we’re noticing something else: Oregon is experiencing an inventory that is even larger than in past years.

The diversity of ranches being listed in Oregon this year is also notable.

There are great hunting and fishing properties, such as the Minam River, Saddle Mountain, Rosenbaum Canyon, Lower Middle Fork, and Pine Creek. There are a number of production ranches, including the 96 Ranch in Bear Valley, County Line Pivots, Valley View, Cottonwood, and many more.

There are also some outstanding multi-dimensional properties. These are properties that offer a combination of attributes, including good cattle, quality timber, great hunting, and outstanding aesthetics.

Flying S Ranch in Canyon City is a great example of a multi-dimensional property. It’s versatile enough to run cow/calf pairs and/or yearlings and hosts nine creeks that run for 20-plus miles through heavy timber and across high mountain meadows. In the fall, it is a prime spot for mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk hunting.

The Miller Ranch is another multi-dimensional property. Located at the gateway to the Ochoco Mountains, the Miller Ranch in central Oregon offers spectacular views, two miles of Wolf Creek frontage, and 528-plus acres of luscious irrigated meadows. It’s known for its production of high-quality cattle as well as its outstanding big-game hunting.

Another noteworthy property is the Bugle Mountain Ranch in Mitchell, Oregon, a secluded 8,200-plus acre property just one and a half hours east of Bend. For 150 years, the Bugle Mountain Ranch has been an operating cattle and hay ranch. Its dark timber canyons adjoin three separate farmed and irrigated drainages that attract large herds of Rocky Mountain elk. The area also contains extraordinary trout, steelhead, and smallmouth bass fisheries.

While inventory is increasing, so is demand. Because of factors like drought and overdevelopment in other nearby states, more people are looking to Oregon to purchase their next properties. They’re also looking to be close to outdoor opportunities, like water and snow skiing, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. Oregon is also known to have some of the best hunting in the U.S., and fishing is plentiful in many of the state’s rivers, including the Columbia, Deschutes, John Day, Williams, Rogue, and Snake.

For anyone looking to move from highly populated areas, Oregon is a great place that offers more land for the dollar spent. I believe there’s never been a better time to invest in our Oregon ranches. They’re solid investments that carry great value.

Let us know your perimeters and price range for a ranch or farm, and we will go to work for you.