The Devine Ranch

Farm Description

The Devine Ranch is comprised of 2,700.04 deeded acres by FSA and Custer County records. This is a 5 generation combination ranch listed as a whole or in three tracts. Tract 1 Tract one is located just Southwest from Oconto, and consists of 645 acres of hardland pasture, with excellent water sources including four stock tanks located in key areas of the section, and two stock ponds which hold water even in dry years. Tract one also has recreational opportunities including whitetailed deer, mule deer, and wild turkey. Tract one grass conditions at the listing time are in excellent condition. Fence quality is excellent with few cedar trees and a good two track path throughout the section. There is direct county road access. Tract 2 Tract two is the heart of the ranch and the most diverse. Tract two is approximately 1,535 acres with one center pivot 138 acres. The pivot is owned by the tenant. The 50hp electric pivot motor is owned by the Seller. There are approximately 179 acres of dryland cultivated land. Approximately 129 acres are sub-irrigated dryland and recreational property. There are 1,045 acres of hardland pasture. Tract two is simply a beautiful river front property with excellent county road access, and top notch recreational opportunities. There are whitetailed deer, mule deer, wild turkey, predator and trapping opportunities, as well as fishing along the South Loup river. There is an abundance of cover along the banks of the South Loup River and adjacent croplands with plenty of water making this ranch an amazing recreational destination. Tract two is the location of the former homestead, which offers mature landscaping and would be an excellent location to build a future home. There is one well with for stock tanks on a pipeline, and one stock pond with water year round. Broker comment the recreational hunting is excellent and could be leased to an outfitter. Tract 3 Tract three is a non-contiguous section, with approximately 520 acres of excellent hardland pasture, with very few cedar trees, in a nice rolling hill setting. There is excellent fence quality, with two windmills, and two stock ponds. Tract three is accessed through a neighbor, and will have legal access with a perpetual easement. This same neighbor will also have a perpetual easement through a part of tract two. The ranch has been evaluated for annual carrying capacities as well as an estimate of landlord revenue generation on a summer grazing basis utilizing cow/ calf pairs. The ranch has two long term tenants who have worked and cared for the land they use as well as the current owners. The current ownership is very conservation minded. Deeded Acres By County Record Entire Unit Taxes Center pivot irrigated 138.8 Dryland cultivated 179.85 Sub-irrigated/dryland ecreational 129 Hardland pasture 2,210.89 Road, waste, homesite 41.5 Total Estimated Acres 2,700.04 Tract 1- Taxes Hardland pasture 644.73 Tract 2 - Taxes Center pivot irrigated 138.8 Dryland cultivated 179.85 Sub-irrigated/dryland ecreational 129 Hardland pasture 1,045 Road, homesite, waste 41.50 Total 1,535 Tract 3 - Taxes Hardland pasture 520.23 Location/Background Located in South Central Custer County near Oconto, Nebraska, approximately 25 miles North from Lexington, which has one of the largest packing plants in the region. This ranch was homesteaded nearly 130 years ago by John A. Devine who is still considered a very prominent man of Oconto. The current Owners of the Devine Ranch are direct descendants of the original Devine Family that homesteaded it. This is the first time this ranch has been for sale since it was homesteaded in 1889. Rainfall The rainfall belt in the area and location of this ranch ranges from 20 -24 per year with the majority of it falling during the grass growing season. It is generally considered consistent and reliable to the extent that cattle sell downs because droughts are rare. Minerals The current ownership will convey all the owned minerals. Exchanges The current ownership will cooperate with 1031 exchanges. Ogallala Aquifer The Sandhills of Nebraska support the largest fresh water aquifer in the continental U.S. Known as the Ogallala or High Plains Aquifer, it develops fresh water bearing material where this ranch is located. Stock wells and irrigation wells are generally considered shallow by comparison to other cattle producing regions in other states. Landlord Revenue Estimate Tract 1 644.71 acres Total by county record AUMs/AC 516 AUMs 516/12 months - 43 AUs or 15 Ac/Aus 516/5 months/1.6 BWE - 65 Pair or approximately 10 Ac/Pair 65 pair for 5 mos. - Gross Income Real Estate Taxes R & R Misc weed control Net Income, Say Net to landlord Tract 2 138.8 AC Center Pivot - 179.85 AC Dryland Cultivated - 129 AC Sub-Irrigated/Dryland ecreational Meadow Deer Turkey Total 1046 AC Hardland Pasture AUMs/AC - 837 AUMs 837 AUMs/12 months - 70 AUs or 15 Acres/AU 837/5 months / 1.6 BWE - 104 Pair or 10 AC/ Pair 104 Pair / month for 5 months Gross Income Real Estate Taxes R & R Pivot Misc weed control Net Income, Say Net to Landlord Tract 3 520.23 Acres Total by County Record AUMs - 416 AUMs 416/12 months - 35 AUs or 15 Acres/AU 416/5 months - 1.6 Bwe, 52 Pair or 10 acres/pair 52 pair for 5 months - Gross Income Real Estate Taxes R & R Misc Net Income, Say Net to Landlord Year Around Carrying Capacity Estimate Tract 1 516 AUMs/12 mo-43 AUMs 43 AUs.80 34 Cows Cow Calf, Retaining Replacements, Bulls 645 Ac/43 AUs - 15Ac/Au 645 Ac/34 cows - 19 Ac/Cow Tract 2 1067 AUMs/12 mo - 89 AUs 89 AUs.80 71 cows Cow Calf Retaining Replacement Bulls 1535Ac/89 AUs - 17 Ac/Aus 1535 Ac/71 cows - 22 Ac/Cow Tract 3 416 AUMs/12 months - 35 AUs 35 AUs.80 28 Cows 520.23 Acres/35 AUs 15 Ac/Au 520.23 Acres/28 Cows 19 Ac/Cow Summary Estimate Tract 1 645 Acres Gross Income Net Income Tract 2 1535 Acres Gross Income Net Income Tract 3 520 Acres Gross Income Net Income Total 2,700 Acres Gross Income Net Income Estimated Irrigation Electric Well Data - Center Pivot, 50 HP Electric Motor Well Registration - G-025636 Well ID - 32190 Static Water Level - 49 Ft Pumping Level 103 Ft Gallons Per Minute - 1100 GPM Lower Loup NRD - Cia's 147.96 AC Owner Jim Devine, President History The Devine family has deep seeded roots in the Oconto, Nebraska area dating back to the late 1800'S, John A. Devine settled the South Loup Valley Ranch, The Devine Ranch in the 1880'S. He was a long time stockman and a substantial farmer and leader in the community. John A. Devine has pioneer honors in Custer County and his character was the positive expression of a strong, loyal, and noble nature. John A. Devine made his life count for good in all of its relationships, and helped in the civic and industrial development, and building of Custer County, Nebraska. Frank Bounce Devine served his country with the US Navy from January of 1942, until April 1946 serving on the USS West Virginia. Later the family moved to Oconto, Nebraska. In 1950 he was employed at the Farmers Bank of Oconto for over 40 years, serving as President from 1975-1983. James V. Devine once said the financial interest of any growing community are among the most important, because upon this rests the opportunity for progress or the probability of retrogression. James V. Devine was also devoted to the family farm. In 1889, they l