Pettit Ranch – 4,960 +/- Acres in McPherson County, NE


Property Overview:  The Pettit Ranch, established in 1904, is a cattle-producing operation in the heart of the Big Lamunyon Flats in McPherson County, Nebraska.  Consisting of 4,320 +/- continuous deeded acres and a 640-acre school section lease, this scenic, Nebraska Sandhills ranch is located about 4 miles north of Highway 92 in between Tryon & Arthur, Nebraska and approximately one hour from Ogallala or North Platte, which provide some of the best livestock markets in western Nebraska.  An oil paved road runs right through the center of the ranch providing excellent access.

The owners have been consistently running 500+ cows year-round on the ranch.  On an average year, 800-1,000 bales of hay off the many sub-irrigated meadows provide enough feed to get them through the winter, and some years, even provide enough feed to background the calves as well.  The highly-productive Sandhills offer many great native grasses that are known to put the pounds on your livestock and hold a home for many different types of wildlife such as grouse, prairie chicken, turkey, and geese.  The ranch is also home to many large mule deer and occasionally, antelope and white-tail deer.

The ranch is all set up for rotational grazing, as it is currently split into approximately 30 pastures, varying in size.  Due to the incredible Ogallala Aquifer, there is always an abundance of fresh water flowing from the 23 solar wells that are spread throughout the ranch.  With the annual rainfall in the area ranging from 17”-19” per year, drought conditions are rare.  There are also several large ponds that provide a steady stream of water running from the north end of the ranch to the south.

The property is currently open for the 2022 grazing and hunting seasons, as there are no leases in place.  The Seller has paid for the first half of the school section lease, which is paid in two semi-annual payments for a total of $13,720.16.

This property is offered for sale by the Seller with the intention of completing a 1031 exchange.

Housing Overview:  On the ranch headquarters sits two homes.  One was built in 1922 consisting of 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  The other was built in 2015 and has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with extra potential in the unfinished upstairs.

Improvements:  There is a 40 x 80 steel building with box stalls, a tack room, and a hydraulic working chute.  There are a few other outbuildings on the ranch that can be used for storage.  Two sets of cattle working facilities, one at the headquarters and one along the blacktop road, make it easy for semis to load and unload livestock.  Established tree shelterbelts provide excellent protection, and a few of the newer strips planted a couple of years ago, will be great for many future years to come.

*Co-listed with Hall & Hall.

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