Eastern Montana Irrigated Pivot Ranch for Sale

Montana Pivot Ranch for Sale | Excellent Water Rights and Proven Hay Production

The Bowdoin Road Pivot Ranch in Malta, Montana is a terrific alfalfa seed production farm or hay base property, located in the heart of mule-deer and upland game bird hunting territory. A full-time or absentee owner can enjoy the North Central Montana lifestyle with a ranch property that is relatively easy to operate and maintain. The offering totals 1,533.55+/- acres, with 305+/- acres of irrigated hayfields served by a 1,950’ pivot irrigation system. The remaining acres consists of 680.3+/- acres of improved pasture and 490.5+/- acres of native grass. 305 acres carry irrigation rights from the Malta Irrigation District, with a water turn on date of May 15th and a shut off of September 1st. In addition the ranch has a 100’ deep irrigation well that services the pivot as a secondary water option with an output of 1,500 gallons per minute.

Bowdoin Ranch hunting | White Tail, Mule Deer, Upland Game Birds

The Bowdoin Pivot Ranch has few improvements and those structures on the ranch are utilitarian. Aside from the T&L 2018 Center Pivot Sprinkler Irrigation System, the main improvements are a 150-horsepower pump that services the irrigation well and a 125 horsepower pump that brings water out of the irrigation canal to the pivot, all included in the sales price. The irrigation system is robust enough to put down 1/2” of water across the 305+/- acres in approximately 26 hours. Power to use the well and irrigate the property has consistently run between $10,000.00-$15,000.00 annually. The well has a 16” well casing and provides approximately 70 pounds of pressure at the pivot. Property taxes in 2022 were $12,612.00. 50% of the existing mineral rights will be retained by the property owner.

Limited improvements on the Bowdoin Pivot Ranch, leaving a blank slate for the new owner

The property averages a yield of approximately 600 pounds per acre of alfalfa seed on the 152.5 +/- acre north field, seeded most recently in 2018. In the spring of 2023 Alfalfa was seeded in 24” rows on the 152.5+/- acre south field and millet was seeded as a cover crop. Red Siberian Millet was selected to compete as little as possible with the young alfalfa plants for light, water, and mineral elements. The owner’s 32 years of experience in seed production lends to his expertise in choosing and maintaining a healthy alfalfa stand. Three tons per acre of hay was produced in one cutting this past year from the south field, and 5-6 tons of hay per acre on the property can be an annual anticipated production amount. If a new producer wanted to run cattle, 100 head for 6 months would be a conservative estimate. 

Montana Ranch for Sale with abundant Recreational Opportunities–Hunting, Fishing, Horseback Riding, ATV Trails

No living quarters currently exist on the property, making it a blank slate for a new owner. Phillips County, Montana, is ideally situated for hunting and  recreation. The area is well known for excellent big game hunting, specifically for whitetail, mule deer and occasional moose. It is located in hunting region 620. The ranch has an abundant upland bird game population including Ringed-neck pheasant, Sage grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse.  Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge area, is less than a mile away from the property’s north boundary. Recreational activities such as wildlife observation, photography, hiking, cross-country skiing, and upland bird and waterfowl hunting can be enjoyed on the Refuge. Public access hunting in Phillips County is outstanding, the Malta BLM Field Office manages resources and activities on 1.1 million surface acres of huntable area making it an ideal location for outdoorsmen. 

Malta, Montana Hay Production and Irrigated Land For Sale

This Montana ranch is less than fifteen minutes from Malta, MT with shopping, dining, entertainment, and regional airport conveniences. Nelson Reservoir, a large recreational lake, with outstanding year-round Walleye and Northern Pike fishing is a short 15-minute drive away and Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs, the only natural hot spring in Montana's northeastern tier is also in close proximity. 

Tanner Anderson, Sales Associate and Co-owner of Northwest Realty & Auction is proud to present this property for sale. Tanner Anderson’s background in the ranching lifestyle runs deep. He understands the value and importance of tillable acreage, how cattle stocking rate affects rangelands, the ins-and-outs of water rights, habitat management, and more. Tanner’s ability to gauge a property’s values, highlight its best assets and understand a buyer’s interests are a large part of his success—the rest of his successes are the result of his personable approach. For more information on this property, Tanner can be reached at 406-654-4473.