Schwenke Ranch

SCHWENKE RANCH

SCHWENKE RANCH

TABLE

PROPERTY OVERVIEW

Schwenke Ranch | Zortman, Montana

“The Schwenke Ranch is situated right in the heart of cowboy country—full of big pastures, extensive wildlife, and great grass. The Missouri River Breaks offer captivating landscapes steeped in history while the functional and detailed ranch operations have proven to be successful over the years.”

Bill Boyce

Schwenke Ranch is a classic Montana grass ranch in the heart of some of the most remote and unspoiled areas of the Rocky Mountain West. This is where the Little Rocky Mountains meet the Missouri Breaks and fall down to the wide and meandering Missouri River. This place is still wild, with impressive populations of Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, and numerous other species of big game, predators, and upland birds. This ranch will connect you with the unspoiled scenery and wide open vistas that signify the West.

60,069± total acres

• 2,597± deeded acres

• 55,872± Bureau of Land Management (BLM) leased acres

• 1,280± State of MT leased acres

Deeded acreage breakdown:

• 58± flood irrigated acres

• 1,200± acres of improved grass

• 1,339± acres of native grazing

ZORTMAN, MT | 60,069± ACRES | OFFERED @ $6.75M

HIGHLIGHTS

• Situated in strong grass-producing country with an impressive carrying capacity of 562± cows or 1,280± yearlings

• An additional 100 AUM private lease is also available post closing

• Complete with a full set of outbuildings including a 2,200± sq ft main home, two pole barns, a new calving shed, outdoor roping arena, and impressive pipe corrals

• Trophy quality elk and mule deer opportunities

• Highly dependable water sources even through dry years with multiple reservoirs plus 18 stock tanks supplied by a developed spring

• 134 corporate shares of the Square Butte Grazing Association will transfer to the buyer at closing that grant the user 6 AUMs per share, equalling 804 AUMs

Views from Schwenke Ranch

AREA INFORMATION

What to do nearby.

Central Montana in many ways is a throwback to the Wild West with its vast landscapes and endless history.

The Schwenke Ranch is located in the notorious Missouri River Breaks, just 18 miles southwest of the town of Zortman, with convenient access to a grocery store, local bar and restaurant, gas station, and a post office.

Easily accessible off of Highway 191, the Schwenke Ranch headquarters sit less than 2 miles off of Highway 66 which is a paved road.

THE BREAKS

“The Breaks”, as it’s referred to by locals, is steeped in history. Traversed by Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s as they explored the Missouri River, the area eventually became an important inland port for trading during the Western expansion. One of the most infamous residents was Wild Bunch member Kid Curry, an outlaw and bank robber who was known to use this area as his hideout.

Scenic and wild, The Breaks was designated as a national monument in 2001, along 149 miles of the Upper Missouri River. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument includes over 375,000 acres of geologic formations, wildlife areas, wilderness areas and points of historic significance. Ripe with wildlife including elk, mule deer and a thriving bighorn sheep population, the area is popular with hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Nearby Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge is famous for its elk harvest and for its namesake –painter and cowboy Charles M. Russell.

ZORTMAN

The discovery of a rich vein of gold in 1884 brought miners to the Little Rocky Mountains, establishing the town of Zortman. A prosperous mining town for many years, a fire in 1936 destroyed most of the area’s mining operations but visitors can still find historic log cabins and miners’ shacks around town and try their hand at panning for gold. Today this small community, of just 60 year-round residents, is better known for its access to the Little Rocky Mountains for endless camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting opportunities.

KID CURRY & THE WILD BUNCH

The Central Montana area known as “The Breaks” has a rich history of inhabitants including explorers, outlaws and artists. One of the most notorious residents of The Breaks was Harvey Alexander Logan, known better as Kid Curry, a member of the Wild Bunch along with Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid.

Referred to as “the fastest gun in the West”, Kid Curry’s career as an outlaw started in Montana where he shot and killed a neighbor who had accused him of romancing his daughter. Rather than stand trial, Curry fled Montana and began living life as an outlaw. Curry would return to Montana several times with the Wild Bunch, once robbing a train in Red Lodge using dynamite to blow up the train’s safe and then heading to his hideout in The Breaks.

AIRPORTS

DOMESTIC AIRPORTS

BILLINGS-LOGAN INTL. AIRPORT (BIL/KBIL)

BILLINGS, MT | 155 MILES

GREAT FALLS INTL. AIRPORT (GTF/KGTF)

GREAT FALLS, MT | 191 MILES

BOZEMAN YELLOWSTONE INTL. AIRPORT (BZN/KBZN)

BOZEMAN, MT | 254 MILES

PRIVATE AIRPORTS

84 miles from the ranch, Lewistown Municipal Airport (LWT) can accommodate a wide variety of private aircrafts. With three runways, the longest at 6,100 ft., this full service FBO airport is ideal for regional jet series sized aircrafts.

The main house elevation is 3,194 ft. The elevation then drops as you move south and east toward the Missouri River. The elevation of the river at the Fred Robinson Bridge is 2,250 ft.

LEWISTOWN

ZORTMAN

RECREATION

HUNTING

The Missouri River Breaks area is most notable for the healthy populations of elk, mule deer and big horn sheep. Situated in hunting district 621, the Schwenke Ranch provides a multitude of top quality hunting experiences. There are 8 landowner preference tags that are drawn for this area, and previously there were only 6 applicants, which means everyone that applied drew a tag.

FISHING

Famous for blue-ribbon trout, the Missouri River boast thousands of fish per mile and extends for 149 miles across Montana. While the biggest hatches are nearer to Holter Dam around Great Falls, the best trout fishing near Zortman is on the Lower Missouri River on a stretch just below Fort Peck Dam. Anglers can find large rainbow trout as well as northern pike and walleye.

HIKING

With over 375,000 acres of public land, there is no shortage of places to hike in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument area. Hikers can also venture to the Little Rockies and explore trails starting at Camp Creek Recreation Area or hike up Old Scraggy to get views of the historic gold mines and mills that can still be found around Zortman.

RANCH

OPERATIONS

The ranch has been in the Schwenke family since the 1970s, and the property has been meticulously maintained with the utmost spirit of land stewardship in mind. Currently, the ranch is run as a cow/calf operation which can support 562 pairs. Calving season in spring during April is typically an easy season due to the mild winters that Central Montana is known for. Summer season is busy with branding calves and rotating cattle to their appropriate summer pastures throughout the 62,000± acres. There are 18 stock tanks that are fed by a live spring that acts as a major water line plus there are 23 reservoirs throughout the property. These two factors combined make sure that all livestock are watered even in the driest of years. Fencelines throughout the property have been well kept and are in good condition plus the uniqueness of the landscape also provides natural boundary lines with the deep valleys and impressive ridge lines.

Easily accessed from Power Plant Ferry Road, which is a maintained county gravel road and just 2 miles from Highway 66, the ranch headquarters is home to the majority of improvements. There you will find the 2,200± sq ft main home which contains 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms with an attached 2 car garage which is ideal for vehicle and general storage. Situated just behind the home is a deep reservoir filled by Cyprian Creek which a new owner could stock as a private fishing area. Also found at the ranch headquarters are two pole barns that are 50 ft x 70 ft and 40 ft x 60 ft that are used for equipment storage and a mechanic shop. The 50 ft x 20 ft newly built calving barn is also situated at the headquarters just by the house, which makes calving simple and easy due to the easy access and reliability of the structure. For the cattle working corrals, a continuous pipe fence makes working cattle simple. To complete the improvements is a 150 ft x 300 ft outdoor arena which has been a great source of recreation in the summer months.

All water rights owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing, and all required filings with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) will transfer the current water rights as they exist - with no warranty of future viability. Water rights in the State of Montana are subject to re-adjudication by the DNRC and may be determined by the court to be modified in validity, amount, priority, date, and place of use. All mineral rights owned by the Seller for the subject property will convey to the Buyer at closing.

WATER RIGHTS CONTINUED

LEASES

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 55,872± ACRES

This 10 year lease program is a shared allotment with 4 total permittees. In 2022 the cost per AUM was a minimal $1.31.

STATE OF MONTANA 1,280± ACRES

SQUARE BUTTE GRAZING ASSOCIATION

134 corporate shares of the Square Butte Grazing Association will transfer that grant the user 6 AUMs per share, equaling 804 AUMs.

An additional 100 AUM private lease is also available post closing.

IMPROVEMENTS

• 2,200± sq ft main home with 3 bed 1.5 bath built in 1971 complete with a basement and attached garage

• 40 ft x 60 ft shop built in 1989

• 50 ft x 70 ft barn built in 1979

• A new 50 ft x 20 ft calving shed finished in 2018

• An outdoor team roping arena that is 150 ft x 300 ft

SUMMARY

Schwenke Ranch is a classic Montana grass ranch in the heart of cowboy country. This property boasts impressive populations of big game, predators, and upland birds plus grand landscapes with plentiful water. Ready to immediately support cattle, Schwenke Ranch features a ranch house, two pole barns, calving barn, outdoor arena, and steel pipe corrals.

• Located near Zortman, Montana

• Surrounded by the Missouri River Breaks and bordered by the Missouri River

• 60,069± total acres

• 2,597± deeded acres

• 55,872± BLM leased acres

• 1,280± State of Montana leased acres

• 58± flood irrigated acres

• 1,20± acres of improved grass

• 1,339± acres of native grazing

SUMMARY

SCHWENKE RANCH

Offered @ $6,750,000

CONDITIONS OF SALE

• All purchase offers must be in writing and specify an earnest money amount equal to no less than 3.00% of the Buyer’s offering price. Earnest monies shall be deposited in escrow within 5 business days of acceptance of the offer by both parties.

• All Buyers must provide the contact information of the Buyer’s banker or financial institution that can assist the Sellers and their agents in validating the Buyer’s financial ability to execute the transaction. All Purchasers must demonstrate to the Seller’s satisfaction unquestioned financial capability to purchase the property.

• The Sellers will provide and pay for a standard owner’s title insurance policy. Any endorsements requested by the Buyer or any lender will be at the Buyer’s expense. Title to the real property will be conveyed by warranty deed.

• All of the Ranch’s water rights will be transferred to the Buyer and all of the mineral rights which the Seller actually owns will be conveyed to the Buyer at Closing.

TERMS

The Seller reserves the right to effect a tax-deferred exchange for other real property in accordance with provisions in Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Buyer will not be required to incur any additional expenses nor to step into the chain of title on any property which the Seller may acquire.

This entire Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by the Seller. Information regarding land classifications, acreages, carrying capacities, crop yields, potential profits, etc. is intended only as generic guidelines and have been obtained from sources deemed reliable; however, accuracy is not warranted or guaranteed by the Seller or Western Ranch Brokers or PureWest Real Estate. Prospective Buyers should verify all information to their sole and complete satisfaction.

WESTERN RANCH BROKERS

OUR TEAM

B I LL B O Y CE

Broker

(406) 366-1473

bill@westernranchbrokers.com

With a lifetime of running ranches and more than 15 years of experience on both sides of the fence—representing buyers and sellers—Bill occupies a unique position in the ranch brokerage business. His passion for first-hand, bootson-the-ground knowledge is as rooted as his Montana legacy while his experience means he understands the complexities of each transaction.

His business instincts paired with his ranching know-how prove invaluable to a broad spectrum of people. Before, during, and after a ranch sale, Bill’s steady demeanor and willingness to share his lifetime’s worth of knowledge allows a ranch’s legacy to carry on under new ownership.

CA LEB C AM P B E LL

Broker

(406) 579-6812

caleb@westernranchbrokers.com

Caleb is a 4th generation Montanan from a family known for business integrity, land stewardship, and well-bred Quarter Horses. Caleb’s background pairs nicely with his modern world understanding and worldly experience— he’s traveled to six continents, studied abroad in Scotland, and worked on a New Zealand cattle station, all before settling down to continue the family traditions in Montana.

When he’s not working for real estate clients, he can be found working with his young horses, at a team roping jackpot, hunting and fishing across Montana, or at home settled on the family ranch with his wife and his two daughters.

LET OUR EXPERIENCE LEAD THE WAY

The team at Western Ranch Brokers brings a level of expertise and hands on ranch experience you won’t find anywhere else. We are here to ensure you have a reliable, trustworthy, hardworking advisor when buying or selling a ranch. Our handshake is backed by a team of tireless professionals committed to your interests.

RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE

Montana law requires real estate licensees who are acting as agents of sellers or buyers of real property to advise the potential sellers or buyers with whom they work of the nature of their agency relationship.

SELLERS AGENTS

A seller’s agent, under a listing agreement with the seller, acts solely on behalf of the seller. A seller can authorize a seller’s agent to work with subagents, buyer’s agents and/or transaction coordinators. A subagent of the seller is one who has agreed to work with the listing agent, and who, like the listing agent, acts solely on behalf of the seller. Seller’s agents and their subagents will disclose to the seller known information about the buyer which may be used to the benefit of the seller. Individual services may be waived by the seller through execution of a limited service agreement.

BUYERS AGENTS

A buyer’s agent, under a buyer’s agency agreement with the buyer, acts solely on behalf of the buyer. A subagent of the buyer is one who has agreed to work with the buyer’s agent with who, like the buyer’s agent, acts solely on behalf of the buyer. Buyer’s agents and their subagents will disclose to the buyer known information about the seller which may be used to benefit the buyer. Individual services may be waived by the buyer through execution of a limited service agreement.

DUAL AGENTS

A real estate licensee can be the agent of both the seller and the buyer in a transaction, but only with the knowledge and informed consent, in writing, of both the seller and the buyer. In such a dual agency situation, the licensee will not be able to disclose all known information to either the seller or the buyer. As a dual agent, the licensee will not be able to provide the full range of fiduciary duties to the seller or buyer. The obligations of a dual agent are subject to any specific provisions set forth in any agreement between the dual agent, the seller and the buyer.