Tips for Leading the Family Ranch Forward in 2018 and Beyond

Ranching is one of the oldest family-run industries in the United States, and running a successful ranch will hopefully provide income for the family for generations to come. More and more people have begun to see the value of raising a family on a ranch and the vital life lessons that can be learned. For example, running a ranch will teach people of all ages essential skills such as communication, teamwork, networking, problem-solving, and the good old-fashioned value of hard work.

Every year, the members of the family will sit down together and plan for the next few business cycles. It doesn’t matter if the ranch specializes in agricultural or recreational activities; it is essential to plan and make sure there is a plan, should an unexpected “rainy day” come along. Here are some tips for leading the family ranch forward in 2018 and beyond.

Hard Work

For any established rancher, this is a no-brainer, but for new ranchers, it is critical that you are aware of the sheer amount of work required to run a successful ranch. The best way to manage the workload is to identify the key strengths of family members and the other staff. This will allow you to divide the workload more efficiently.

Budget

One massive mistake many ranchers have made over the years is to assume that good years will be followed by more good years. The temptation, which has caused many problems, is to invest last season’s profits into new assets—machinery, equipment, or buildings. Although all these things are important, it is essential to be realistic about your cash flow.

Improvements are a fact of life on any ranch and can incur significant expenses, but does a brand new tractor have to be one of them? And what about if next year is a poor year in terms of cash flow? It is vitally important that you always consider the medium and long-term consequences of your expenditure, and if that old tractor still works as required, then why replace it? 

The Exchange of Skills and Knowledge Is an Ideal Currency

As mentioned above, you should always plan according to the strengths of your family members and workers. If someone isn’t especially practical but is good with numbers, get them to do the accounting. The same goes for people in the community.

Since the beginning of time, humans have been exchanging goods and services, and this currency is particularly valuable in the ranching industry. Maybe a member of your ranch has a particular skill that another ranch owner might need and vice versa. In this situation, it is well worth creating a spirit of cooperation, which will be mutually beneficial to you both.

Succession Planning

You may be raising a young family on the ranch, but perhaps when your kids grow up, they will prefer to leave the nest and develop different career paths. This is a common situation that families face over the years and must be planned for. If a family member wants to move into a position of leadership, they may need to look outside the ranch to gain the necessary skills to do so.

Open and honest channels of communication will eliminate potential surprises and problems with ownership and leadership in the years to come.

 

3 Reasons to Invest in Colorado Ranches

For prospective buyers, Colorado offers so many options regardless of whether you are looking for big game hunting, raising livestock or for enjoying the various outdoor pursuits throughout the state. With a massive range of acreage and usages, Colorado ranches may just be the investment opportunity you have been looking for.

Exceptional Big Game Hunting

Colorado is home to a wealth of big game across a multitude of mountains, grasslands, and forests that make up the diverse landscape of the state.

Bear, elk, pronghorn, deer, moose, and black bear are found in large numbers on or near to most Colorado ranches.

The Smith Basin Ranch in Toponas is ideal for trophy hunters due to the large population of elk which travel through the site throughout the year. The elk are part of the largest herds in the state: the White River Elk and the owner enjoys private hunting rights. This would be attractive enough, but the site also boasts significant water rights and a multitude of other big game regularly travels through the property.

Superlative Fishing

With plenty of rivers, lakes, and streams dissecting the state, Colorado is angler’s dream, with several ranches offering private fisheries and access to waters with abundant fish populations. One ranch with genuinely outstanding options is Calloway Hill Ranch in Larimer County, with an almost endless supply of fishable waters.

The property has private access to several stretches of the Cache La Poudre River. As well as the Halligan Reservoir, enabling year-round fishing in stunning surroundings. Also, the prime location of the ranch provides additional fishing opportunities in nearby national parks.

Another outstanding property for fishing is the Open Box Z Ranch two-hours outside of Denver, which has exclusive access to some of the most exceptional trout fishing in the country. Located in the Central Mountains gives numerous world-class ski resorts in the winter, but it is water which is the primary drawing card of this ranch.

Open Box Z’s fantastic location on a stretch of Troublesome Creek offers excellent fishing, while the site has extensive water rights. All of this combines to make the ranch a very exciting investment.

World Class Outdoor Activities

Colorado is a year-round adventure seeker’s paradise with a wide array of activities to enjoy on and off the ranches. In the summer, hiking, horse riding, and sailing are just some of the activities which can be enjoyed. But, it is the winter that Colorado truly excels with a multitude of world-class ski resorts being a short ride away from most of the ranches. For example, Snowmass Wilderness Estate is only 45-minutes away from Aspen, and Cross Mountain Ranch is just 45-minutes away from Steamboat Springs. This can create many potential business opportunities.

For the keen sportsman, the Mountain Spirit on the Navajo in Chromo is the perfect ranch for spending long days out in nature. The long summer days can be enjoyed on foot or horseback, while in the winter season, the ranch enjoys easy access to Wolf Creek Ski area an emerging ski resort with some of the best snow in the state.

Whatever your reasons for investing in Colorado, you are sure to find the perfect ranch.

Excellent Investment Opportunities Await on Wyoming Ranches

With stunning landscape across the state, it isn’t hard to see why Wyoming ranches are such a sought-after investment. It is home to two of the largest and most famous national parks in the US, which play host to a diverse range of flora and fauna.Whether you are looking to raise cattle or hunt big game, you will find a wealth of options in the mountains and plains of Wyoming. And, with some fantastic new properties just coming on to the market, now is the perfect time to invest.

Big Game

The topography of the land and the vast areas of protected land are home to some of the largest game in the country: Moose, Mule Deer, Bison, Antelope, Elk, and Bighorn Sheep are all found in large numbers throughout the state. Hunting is strictly controlled so when you are looking at sites; it is worth checking out whether the ranch has any tags allocated to it.

Hidden Valley Ranch in Glenrock offers outstanding hunting opportunities for the seasoned sportsman. The ranch has an enviable location crisscrossed by four creeks and sees large numbers of deer and elk throughout the year. In fact, part of the property is in Elk Zone 7 and is, therefore, qualifies for landowner tags, for both elk and deer.

Another excellent option for big game hunters is Elk Haven Ranch in Platte County. It is, also, located in Elk Zone 7 and close to Deer Area 64. This means big game is never far away and getting hunting tags is relatively straightforward.

Cattle Farming

Agriculture is big business in Wyoming, and many ranches offer unique land for raising cattle. When looking at potential investment opportunities, you need to look for a high acreage combined with adequate water supplies.

One ranch that everything is the China Wall Ranch located in Albany County. Water and pasture land are abundant throughout the site, and the local livestock market isn’t far away either, significantly reducing transportation costs. And, if that wasn’t enough its excellent location affords it landowner tags for elk, deer, and antelope.

Another intriguing investment opportunity for experienced or new cattle ranchers is Brees Ranch in Albany County. Rolling hills are spread throughout the ranch and offering excellent opportunities for large-scale cattle operations, and the potential for a significant return on investment. Also, the ranch is located close to Laramie, which offers the best of both worlds.

The Great Outdoors

Wyoming is the quintessential ‘great outdoors’ with a diverse landscape and many national parks within its borders. Two examples are Yellowstone and Grand Teton, which are known all around the world for their incredible views, flora, fauna, and adventure opportunities.

In addition to hunting and cattle ranching, the state offers numerous opportunities for fishing, climbing, hiking, skiing, and off-road cycling. Jack Creek Ranch located close to Bighorn National Forest is an excellent example of a ranch with year-round possibilities. The ranch itself has a diverse topography with magnificent views across the Bighorn Basin, as well as enjoying a vast forest as a neighbor. If you are a fan of horse riding or hiking, then the opportunities are endless.

If you a keen angler then the Snowy Range Fishing Lodge is the place for you, as it is home to 2.5 miles of Gold Medal Trout Fishing. With a considerable amount of Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat Trout anglers come from all over the country to try their luck, and always go home happy. There is potential for a significant return on investment from this property due to the fishing and lodging on-site.

Steps to Make Ranches for Sale in Colorado a Profitable Investment

The upkeep on a regular property nowadays is costly but even more so if that property is a ranch. This is a very important consideration for anyone who may be on the lookout for ranches for sale in Colorado.

Buying a ranch property is considered to be a huge investment, not only because of the amount of money one will have to shell out to purchase one, but also because of the requirements to sustain and maintain. Given how valuable a ranch is, it’s only right that ranch property owners would want to turn a profit when it comes time to sell.

Property Size

When looking at ranches for sale in Colorado, the first thing that you should check to assess its profitability in the future is its size. Of course, it doesn’t necessarily follow that the bigger the property, the more lucrative it will be.
https://mirrranchgroup.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/steps-to-make-ranches-for-sale-in-colorado-a-profitable-investment/

Ranches for Sale: Choosing the Right Type of Property to Investment In

If you’re determined to own a ranch for business or private recreational use, the first thing you have to determine is what kind of ranch you should get. There are various types to choose from, each with its own benefits and advantages.

The type you choose can also depend on a lot of variables, too, ranging from location and logistics, objective, and even personal taste. To help you pick the right kind of ranch, here are the most common types of ranches for sale in the country.

Cattle Ranch

This is among the most common type of ranch. It houses animals such as cows, bulls, or steers, and can be developed for business use. The cattle in it can yield profits by producing meat and dairy products. For you to consider having a cattle ranch, you will need to have vast acres of land where the animals can graze.
https://mirrranchgroup.wordpress.com/2016/04/26/ranches-for-sale-choosing-the-right-type-of-property-to-investment-in/

Some Advice to Potential Buyers Looking at Ranches for Sale in Utah

Owning a ranch has been one of the more popular options for those who would want to get into rural entrepreneurship in recent years. Apart from the potential financial gains that can be derived from the property, owning a ranch also means more quiet time away from the city.

Looking at ranches for sale in Utah can definitely get you excited, but as with any other form of business venture, making the decision to actually purchase one should be done with the utmost care. Here are a few of the considerations that you should look at if you’re set on making a ranch purchase.

What Kind of Ranch Will You Have?

There are many different kinds of ranches, each having its own pros and cons. There are cattle ranches, farms, hunting ranches, and fishing ranches.
https://mirrranchgroup.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/some-advice-to-potential-buyers-looking-at-ranches-for-sale-in-utah/

A Sound Investment: Seeking out Greener Pastures with Ranches for Sale

Ranch owning may seem like such a far-out idea, a drastic change, especially for someone who has spent most of his or her life in the city. However, many who have taken the plunge have found that it is much more feasible than originally thought, and possibly profitable, too.

Looking at Options

If you are open to exploring this option, you can start by checking out Wyoming ranches for sale. Determining what kind of ranch you will get, and for what purpose, should be an important consideration when making a decision.

Depending on the state of the property, you might need to start making plans for renovations, additional improvements, and new management strategies. Remember, the property is not just there to give you a different view from the usual towering buildings in the city, but also to potentially give you an alternative source of income and livelihood.
https://mirrranchgroup.wordpress.com/2016/04/14/a-sound-investment-seeking-out-greener-pastures-with-ranches-for-sale/

Viewing Available Wyoming Ranches for Sale can be a Wise Investment

Deciding on buying a ranch is a serious investment, not only because of the money involved but because it will require a lot of your time and effort. If you want to make it as profitable as possible, you should be ready to commit and dedicate your full attention to its care and upkeep.

As you look among available Wyoming ranches for sale, you should also keep a keen eye out on its potential for improvement. This should make it easier for you later on to explore more options to further maximize the property’s potential.

Rangeland Improvements

One of the factors that you should consider is the quality of soil on the property. No matter what purpose you may intend to use the land for, it would still be more beneficial to you if it’s certified as fertile.
https://mirrranchgroup.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/viewing-available-wyoming-ranches-for-sale-can-be-a-wise-investment/

Legacy Colorado Ranch for Sale: Fishing a Hit Dude Ranch Attraction

Dude ranches (a.k.a. guest ranches) are a popular get-away option for families, especially those who are trying to “unplug” for a few days. As such, owning a Colorado ranch for sale in a great location with the intent of opening a dude ranch is a lucrative investment.

When considering prospective dude ranches, you might want to choose one that has a stream or a river on the property. After all, fishing is one of the most popular attractions dude ranches offer.
https://mirrranchgroup.wordpress.com/2014/08/29/legacy-colorado-ranch-for-sale-fishing-a-hit-dude-ranch-attraction/

Identifying Ranches for Sale in Colorado Ideal for Raising Beef Cattle

It is not yet too late to seek ranches in Colorado for sale if you are interested in getting in on the action. After all, several foreign countries have been re-opening their doors to imported U.S. beef. As such, many experts are predicting that record-setting prices are here to stay and will continue well into the future.

Of course, if you want to make the most out of your new beef ranch, you need to make sure that the cattle ranches for sale in Colorado that have piqued your interest are ideal for raising cattle.
https://mirrranchgroup.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/identifying-ranches-for-sale-in-colorado-ideal-for-raising-beef-cattle/