Lone Fir Ranch – A Masterful 1,600 Acre Ranch in Northern British Columbia (Fort Fraser, BC)

$ 1,999,900

Fort Fraser

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Overview

Updated On:
May 16, 2022

Description

Home, home on the range. Proudly presenting the very versatile and meticulously maintained Lone Fir Ranch. This ranch is a perfect amalgamation of experienced management, environmental stewardship and loving care. The fine details become obvious as you explore the various portions of the ranch and its operations. You quickly become aware of the work, investment and experience, which has produced this final product. It is now available for a new owner to continue growing the ranch’s legacy.

The Lone Fir Ranch offers 1,600 deeded acres on 11 separate titles. Each title is fenced and has its own dugout/water source to permit for a rotational grazing program as needed. Selective timbered shelter belts have been strategically positioned throughout the ranch to protect both cattle and crops against wind and weather. The ranch is separated into two portions (eastern and western). The home ¼ is on the western portion of the ranch. The eastern portion of the ranch possesses the majority of the seeded production land (450+ acres) and is adjacent to the 10,000+ acre crown grazing license. A trail network throughout both portions of the ranch permits for easy access of vehicles and equipment. The Western portion of the ranch offers both crop production and pasture. Cattle are brought onto the western portion of the ranch during the winter months for easy feeding and monitoring.

The ranch yields approximately 2,000 round bales per annum, which is sufficient feed to maintain 160 cows and 160 yearlings throughout the winter months. The surplus in feed allows the current rancher to add weight to the previous year’s calves and sell them at a more opportune time. The cow/calf pairs are kicked out to the southern portion of the range around June 15^th(which is fenced and borders the Nechako River) and moved to the northern portion of the range on July 20^th. The herd is then brought back onto the deed ranch lands on September 15^th. Often, the cattle graze the second growth crop on the eastern portion of the ranch before being cowboyed the short distance to the western portion of the ranch where they will spend the winter. The range is drift fenced, with ample feed and water and provides a 381 AUM grazing capacity. Predation has not been an issue with a nearly 100% animal retention.

The cattle herd has become very accustomed to the range and the associated annual movements. The lead cows bring the herd close to the ranch boundaries at the appropriate time of year. This means you are not wasting time search for cattle on range. The cattle herd is available in addition to the ranch, and it is recommended that (at a minimum) a portion of the existing herd be purchased for the aforementioned reason.

The western portion of the ranch is dissected by a productive creek, which supplies ample water for stock. Lining the creek are thick stands of spruce with potential value. The western portion of the ranch possesses lush pasture, which is strategically protected by windbreaks. The various pastures are very accessible to allow for an easy winter-feeding program.

On the home ¼ section there is a large stackyard to keep the winter bale supply and a wood shavings pile to assist with calving in the corral system if conditions are muddy in the spring. The corral system is both intricate and functional. Experience and trial/error has led to its current design. The functionality of the system means only two people are required to run through a cow herd of 160 head. During calving season, the pregnant cows are brought to the corrals where their progress can be monitored from the comfort and warmth of the ranch house. A barn with maternity pens and a separate fenced pasture areas ensure a smooth transition through the calving season with efficiency and limited external assistance required. The corrals and maternity pens have 5 electric waterers to supply cattle with water.

Sharing the main yard with the corrals is 44’ x 32’ shop with covered storage port. The shop has a 200-amp power supply sufficient for running welding units and power equipment. There is a 16’ wide and 12’ high overhead door in the shop, which provides access/egress for equipment and machinery.

Adjacent to the shop is the two day post calving pen with shelter. In the pen is a thick layer of shavings to keep animals clean. The pen has 16’ x 40’ covered shelter and the adjacent barn is 22’ x 50’. The barn has four stalls and can be used for first time calvers. These structures could be used for both cattle and horses. There is power to the barn for lighting. North of the home is a 14’ x 54’ storage building with dual covered lean-to storage compartments.

The yard around the ranch home is vibrant and inviting with colourful flower beds, lush fruit trees and an enormous garden. The long summer days permit for excellent vegetable growth including the owner’s famous northern sweet corn. The garden is complimented by a large green house, with wood stove. The green house extends the growing season on both sides of summer increasing the size of the vegetables and the garden’s cumulative yield. There is also a fenced chicken coop for meat birds and laying hens. This is a fabulous opportunity to achieve a level of food self-sufficiency.

The main home was originally built in 1979 and largely renovated in 2005. The home is warm and cozy with bright glass windows and doors permitting the sun to shine into the home all throughout the year. The main floor features an open concept layout with functional kitchen, spacious dining area and large living room. There are 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a family room in the basement with two separate entries. A wrap-around sundeck with a custom pergola, crowns the upstairs level expanding the home’s living space during the warm summer months. This sundeck is the perfect location to BBQ and entertain guests while they take in the sights, sounds and smells of country living. A clever feature in the basement is the sink/work bench area near the second entrance. This area allows the rancher to come and go with boots on and access the sink, work bench and veterinarian medicine without muddying the house.

There is a second home (used as a rental), on its own ¼ section, with 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. This second home was built in 1974 and offers 1,527 sqft of living space. The Rental home generates $1000/month. There is also a small barn/storage structure in the rental home yard.

Located only 40 minutes from to Vanderhoof the ranch is close to shopping, schools and recreational activities. It is a wonderful combination of rural peace/solitude and urban convenience. There are school buses available for children in Nautley down the road and ample employment opportunities across the wider area.

If you are looking for a profitable ranching opportunity with a rich legacy in quality and stewardship, then look no further than this rare and valuable opportunity.

LOCATION

21548 Becker Road – Fort Fraser, BC

DIRECTIONS

From Vanderhoof, head west on Highway 16 for approximately 40 KMs until the intersection with Nautley Road. Turn north onto Nautley Road and continue for 9.5 KMs until the road intersects with Becker Road. Turn to head east on Becker Road proceeding for just over 1 KM at which point, the driveway into the main yard will be on the north side of the road.

AREA DATA

Fort Fraser is an unincorporated community of about 500 people, situated near the base of Fraser Mountain, close to the village municipality of Fraser Lake and the Nechako River.

Originally established in 1806 as a North West Company fur trading post by the explorer Simon Fraser, it is one of present-day British Columbia’s oldest permanent European-founded settlements. The area around the community is also recorded as the site of the first land in British Columbia cultivated by non-First Nations people.

Fraser Lake is a village in northern British Columbia. It’s located on the southwest side of Fraser Lake between Burns Lake and Vanderhoof alongside the Yellowhead Highway. The attractive lakeside community of Fraser Lake lies alongside the Yellowhead Highway, west of the city of Prince George. The pioneer roots of the area’s history date back to the fur trade, with the establishment in 1806 of a fur-trading post by Simon Fraser, at Fort Fraser near the east end of Fraser Lake.

Vanderhoof is a robust town within the region with deep roots in the logging, farming and trapping industries. The town has a population of 4,500 and has all the necessary amenities for area residents including schools, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and more. The Nechako Lumber Company operates a large mill just outside the town providing long term sustainable employment to area residents. Vanderhoof recently received a new aquatic center with a 1,500 sqft leisure pool, six lane lap pool and 30 person hot tub.

Prince George, with a population of 74,003, is the largest city in northern British Columbia and is the “Northern Capital” of BC. It is the most major municipality near the property. Situated at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers, and the crossroads of Highway 16 and Highway 97, the city is the service and supply hub for one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada and plays an important role in the province’s economy and culture.

Prince George is the dominant economic center of the region. Public sector and education based jobs dominate the municipality’s economy. Presently the Northern Health Authority, stationed in Prince George, possess a $450 million budget and have invested $100 million into local infrastructure. UNBC, the College of New Caledonia and School District #57 adds a further $750 million into the local economy.

The city’s economy was once dominated by the lumber sector; however, the Fraser-Fort George Regional District has experienced extensive closures of the region’s lumber mills. This has been attributed to the movement towards “super mills,” a loss of supply caused by the prevalence of the Mountain Pine Beetle and US tariffs on lumber exports. It is predicted that mining exploration and development will soon supersede the lumber industry, as the dominant industry in Prince George and the surrounding areas. Additionally, Initiatives Prince George estimates that the Nechako Basin contains 5,000,000 barrels of oil, which could help diversify the region’s economy further through the commencement of petroleum harvesting operations.

Presently, the city of Prince George has a number of private enterprises and facilities operating in and contributing to its local economy. These facilities include:

Two chemical plants
An oil refinery
Brewery
Dairy
Machine shops
Aluminum boat construction
Value added forestry
Specialty equipment manufacturing

Prince George has a large regional airport offering daily flights to major destinations

VEGETATION

The ranch is a mixture of pasture, cropland, poplar and spruce. Forest coverage is dense in areas with quantities of merchantable timber throughout the ranch. The rich soil and ample water permit for the growth of a wide variety of crops including oats, barley, wheat, alfalfa, fescue, clover, peas and forage turnips.

RECREATION

The recreation on the property and in the wider region is endless. Any recreational activity feasible on a large acreage may be undertaken on this property. The following list of recreational pursuits is not exhaustive:

Hunting
The property resides in Management Unit 7-13 and offers general tags for mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, moose, bear, wolves and a variety of game bird species. The hunting on the property is truly exceptional and the season lengths are long and generous. You will find multiple species on the ranch itself.

Fishing
There is excellent fishing opportunity in the area surrounding the property. Whether you drive west to the coast or fish one of the region’s many salmon rivers, the fishing is sure to impress. There are many lakes in the region offering excellent trout and kokanee fishing as well.

Equestrian
With the numerous trails and wonderful scenery, there is endless opportunity to ride recreationally throughout the property and on nearby Crown land.

Hiking
With the diversity/immensity of the property and its abundant beauty, an individual could spend their entire life exploring the ranch by foot and discover new joys each time.

INVESTMENT FEATURES