Fraser River Ranch – Williams Lake, BC

Description

Located northwest of Williams Lake along paved West Fraser Road, Fraser River Ranch is an exceptional large-scale cattle operation comprising 7,963.7± acres.  The main ranch occupies productive benches above the Fraser River at approximately 2,125 feet, while the western holdings extend across a broad geographic area of developed hay meadows, pasture and timberland.

Historically supporting up to 1,000 cow-calf pairs, Fraser River Ranch combines a substantial deeded land base with an approximately 90,000-acre Crown grazing range authorized for 3,149 AUMs.  Approximately 608 irrigated acres provide the forage production required to support a commercial cattle operation of this scale.

The ranch’s irrigated haylands are supported by three center pivots, wheel lines, underground mainlines and hand-line irrigation.  Eighteen water licences provide for irrigation, domestic use, stock watering, storage and associated dam and diversion works.  A Crown land lease interest further complement the private holdings and grazing program.

The ranch headquarters include a newer 1,620± sq. ft. farmhouse with six bedrooms, three bathrooms, HardiePlank siding, a steel roof and modern interior finishes.  Additional accommodation includes an approximately 2,500 sq. ft. residence, a 1,350 sq. ft. three-bedroom home, a single-wide mobile home and a double-wide mobile home positioned over a full basement.

Operational improvements are extensive and include a 78′ x 168′ calving barn containing cattle-handling pens, chutes and a heated service area, an 80′ x 200′ hay shed, a 26′ x 60′ shop, two equipment-storage shelters and a 36′ x 50′ eight-stall horse barn.  Corrals, load-out facilities, a branding shed, water lagoon, haystack yard and substantial fencing complete the infrastructure.

Fraser River Ranch presents a rare opportunity to acquire an established 1,000-pair cattle enterprise with productive irrigated hayland, extensive Crown range, secure water resources and the infrastructure required to continue operating at a significant commercial scale.

LOCATION

335 Salmon Road – Williams Lake, BC

DIRECTIONS

Contact the listing agent, showings by appointment only.

AREA DATA

Williams Lake is the principal agricultural and commercial centre for the Cariboo-Chilcotin, providing the services required to support a major cattle operation.  The rancher-owned BC Livestock stockyard conducts regular cattle auctions, calf sales and specialty sales, while also providing market reporting, electronic marketing, feeder financing and livestock-handling products.

The city offers large-animal veterinary and mobile farm-call services, along with livestock feed, fencing, animal-health products, seed, fertilizer and agricultural equipment sales, parts and repairs.

Additional services include commercial trucking, welding and fabrication, bulk fuel, banking, professional services, Cariboo Memorial Hospital and the Williams Lake Regional Airport.  This strong ranching service base provides convenient access to livestock markets, supplies, healthcare and transportation while maintaining the privacy and operating advantages of a large rural ranch.

HISTORY

The Cariboo is one of British Columbia’s most historic agricultural regions, shaped by Indigenous use of the land, the fur trade, the Cariboo Gold Rush and the development of early transportation routes through the Interior.  The influx of miners and settlers during the 1800s created strong demand for beef, horses, hay and supplies, encouraging ranches to develop throughout the grasslands and river valleys surrounding Williams Lake.

The benches above the Fraser River proved particularly well suited to agriculture.  Their warm, dry climate, productive soils and access to water supported irrigated hay production, while the surrounding grasslands, forests and extensive Crown range provided seasonal grazing for large cattle herds.  Ranchers traditionally produced winter feed on their private lands before moving cattle onto summer range, a system that continues to define many successful Cariboo operations.

Williams Lake grew into the region’s principal ranching, trading and livestock-marketing centre and remains closely identified with British Columbia’s western heritage.  Generations of ranchers have developed irrigation systems, water rights, hay meadows, fencing and livestock-handling infrastructure across the surrounding countryside.

Today, the Fraser River corridor remains one of the province’s most established cattle-producing areas.  Its combination of irrigated hayland, expansive grazing country and longstanding ranching knowledge continues to support major commercial cow-calf operations and preserves the practical, independent character for which the Cariboo is known.

MAP REFERENCE

52°18’33.29″N and 122°18’35.83″W

INVESTMENT FEATURES

Commercial cow-calf operation supporting up to 1,000 pairs

7,963.7± acres of deeded land northwest of Williams Lake
Approximately 1,873 acres of hay and grazing land
Approximately 608 acres of irrigated hay production
Expansive irrigated fields on the benches above the Fraser River
Developed hay meadows, pasture and timberland throughout the western holdings
Approximately 90,000 acres of Crown grazing range
Crown grazing licence authorizing 3,149 AUMs
18 water licences supporting irrigation, domestic use, stock watering, storage, dams and diversion works
Crown land lease interest complementing the deeded land base
Integrated forage-production, summer-grazing and winter-feeding program
Paved access to the main ranch from West Fraser Road

IMPROVEMENTS

Newer 1,620± sq. ft. farmhouse with six bedrooms and three bathrooms
Approximately 2,500 sq. ft. three-bedroom residence
1,350± sq. ft. three-bedroom residence at 1650 Coulthard Road
Single-wide mobile home with an addition
Double-wide mobile home positioned over a full basement
78′ x 168′ calving barn with cattle-handling pens and chutes
Heated 24′ x 38′ service area with first-aid room, washroom and basic mezzanine kitchen
80′ x 200′ hay shed
26′ x 60′ shop
Two equipment-storage shelters measuring 20′ x 70′ and 20′ x 84′
36′ x 50′ horse barn with eight stalls
20′ x 20′ branding shed
Corrals, load-out chutes, water lagoon, haystack yard and extensive fencing
Irrigation system comprising three center pivots, five wheel lines, underground mainlines and hand line
Well water, hydro and telephone service at the main ranch headquarters

TAXES

Contact the listing agent.

ZONING

Agriculture

LEGAL

Contact the listing agent for a full list of legals, tenures, and licences.

Listing is an asset sale of Monette Farms BC Ltd and subject to terms of orders granted under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) and Sale and Investment Solicitation Process (SISP) orders.  Offers are subject to the approval of the owner, monitor, creditors and the court.