Different Types of Ranches for Sale Bring Profitable Opportunities

Who knew that stewardship of natural resources can literally pay off? These days, operating a ranch can be a highly lucrative venture, particularly when you base it on national trends. Recent findings suggest that investing in profitable ranches for sale often entails certain financial advantages. Be it through livestock raising, farming, hunting, recreational activities, these and other types of ranch operations can be valuable income sources.

Farm and Ranch Guide, for instance, cites data from the USDA Census of Agriculture 2012 report released May 2, 2014. According to the report, “the largest category of operations was beef cattle with 619,172 or 29 percent of all farms and ranches in 2012 specializing in cattle.” In addition, 4,542 beef cattle ranches and farms collectively had a market value of $1 million dollars or more in agricultural products sold.

“There are now 3.2 million farmers operating 2.1 million farms on 914.5 million acres of farmland across the United States, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agriculture census presents more than 6 million pieces of information, which provide a detailed look at the U.S. farm sector at the national, state and county levels.”

Livestock raising offers multifaceted means of generating income. At the moment, for example, cattle ranchers are riding high on strong beef prices, according to a recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics report. Yet aside from the income they yield, cattle can also facilitate land management.

Grazing livestock like goats and sheep, for instance, feed on weeds and dry, combustible scrub. This, in turn, enables sellable crops to grow and minimizes wildfire hazards. Well-conserved ranch lands can later be sold as properties worth millions of dollars.

Recreational activities also fuel ranch profits. Although the National Agriculture Statistics Service recently reported a decline in the equine population from 2007 to 2012, horse ranches continue to generate considerable income from family and tourist retreats. Similarly, the Society for Range Management also notes that facilities that offer fly-fishing or hunting can gain profits from enthusiasts.

When it comes to finding available ranch land for sale in prime areas like Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico, you might want to get the help of a ranch marketing and consulting company like Mirr Ranch Group. Aside from comprehensively assessing properties, these professionals can help settle all the paperwork and educate you on conservation easements, wildlife habitat design, and effective ranch management practices.

(Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture reveals new trends in farming, Farm and Ranch Guide, May 2, 2014)