Milk River Farm

Details & Features

Situated in the northeastern Hi-Line region of Montana, approximately 20-minutes southeast of Glasgow, the Milk River Farm combines solid agricultural production features with excellent hunting and fishing opportunities in one of the most renowned outdoor sporting areas of the state. Consisting of ±520 deeded acres of irrigated and dryland crop ground, pasture, and river bottom riparian habitat, the property is home to Whitetail and Mule deer, pheasant, Hungarian partridge, Sharptail grouse, turkey, and various waterfowl species. The acreage is surrounded by productive agricultural operations, and the neighborhood is sparsely populated in a rural setting. The property borders the Milk River for approximately ±1 mile. Upland bird habitat on the acreage is good, as portions of the farm have been managed with an emphasis on building the resident pheasant population. Buildings on the property are minimal, providing the new owner a blank canvas to build a residence or seasonal hunting camp, however investment into the irrigation infrastructure has
been substantial. The property is relatively close to town, yet far enough out in the country to enjoy privacy. The Milk River Farm represents an attractive land purchase opportunity for an agricultural operator or viable land investment with farm lease options for the recreational buyer.

At an elevation ranging from 2,040’ to 2,080’, the Milk River River Farm consists of 520± deeded acres lying adjacent to and south of the Milk River. The property lies in three contiguous parcels. USDA Farm Services Agency records show 400.85 acres of crop, 118.91 native range and a 1-acre improvement site, for a total of 520.76 acres The cropland is irrigated by 3 Valley center pivots utilizing one variable flow pump, with water taken out of a main canal as well as a secondary ditch that runs through the center of the property. Additionally, there is flood/spreader dike irrigation, and buried pipe with risers on a couple of fields, as well as a little dryland crop ground along the river. The pivot infrastructure is 3 years old, and an investment close to $520,000 has been made between the 3 pivots, pump, half-mile three phase buried power lines, and laser leveling on a few of the fields. Irrigation water is sourced from the Milk River via the Glasgow Irrigation District (GID). Calls for irrigation water typically start by mid-May. The annual water cost is assessed with the real estate taxes, and the cost in 2022, was $13,764.44. Last year (2022), crops grown on the property included alfalfa, wheat, peas, millet, corn and soybeans. For 2023, crops seeded include corn, spring wheat, alfalfa, oat hay and peas. The alfalfa stands range in age from new in 2023, to about 4 years old, and yields typically run approximately 4 ton/acre on 2 cuttings. Yields on the irrigated wheat can run as high as 100 bushel/acre, 200 bushel/acre on the corn, and 3 tons/acre on the oat hay. The yield on roughly 45± acres of dryland peas is about 30 bushel/acre. Records show 110 frost-free days for the area and annual average precipitation ranging from 12”-14”. The acreage is mostly perimeter fenced, however condition is only fair; there are no cross fences. The property is subject to an agricultural farm lease for 2023, and the current lessee would be receptive to discussing a continuation of this arrangement with a new owner.

The Milk River Farm combines excellent sporting amenities with viable income potential for the agricultural operator or land investor. The property is distinctly rural, yet is conveniently located to several northeastern Montana communities, and is strategically situated to enjoy some of the best upland bird hunting, waterfowl shooting, plains game hunting, and warm water fishing opportunities found in Montana. The property benefits from having an excellent local agricultural tenant in place who would be interested in continuing to farm under the right circumstances, making an easy transition for a new owner. The Milk River Farm is a wonderful purchase opportunity for the avid sportsman, land investor, or agricultural operator.

• Cropland is irrigated by 3 Valley center pivots
• Flood spreader dike irrigation
• ±520 deeded acres lying adjacent to the Milk River
• 400.85 acres crop, 118.91 acres range, 1-acre improvement site
• Some of the best hunting opportunities in Montana
• 2.5 miles southwest of Nashau, MT
• 12.5 miles southeast of Glasgow, MT