Meticulous 1,280 Acre Operating Ranch in British Columbia’s Agricultural Heartland – Vanderhoof, BC

Description

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Vanderhoof region of British Columbia, the ranch stands as a testament to self-sufficiency and agricultural excellence. Situated on a sprawling 1,280 acres of fertile farmland, this ranch is a haven for those seeking to invest in a turnkey opportunity to manage and grow a thriving cattle operation. With its diverse features and ample infrastructure, this ranch is poised to become your dream of a self-sustaining ranch business come true.

Land of Abundance

Encompassing 1,280 acres of meticulously maintained land, the ranch boasts 190 acres of upland hay fields, while an additional 80 acres are dedicated to lush meadow hay production. On average, this remarkable property yields an impressive 1,200 bales, each weighing in at 1,000 pounds, providing an abundance of high-quality forage to support your cattle herd. With nature’s gifts and careful management, this land can comfortably sustain 150 to 175 cow/calf pairs, making it an ideal investment for those looking to embark on a cattle ranching journey.

Ranch Home with Room to Roam

At the heart of the ranch stands a magnificent 2,340-square-foot ranch home, featuring five bedrooms and three bathrooms. This cozy and comfortable residence is the perfect place to retreat after a hard day’s work on the ranch. With its warm ambiance and spacious living areas, it offers the perfect respite for you and your family.

Functional Infrastructure

The ranch comes fully equipped with essential infrastructure to support your operations and make ranch life as efficient as possible. A 40′ x 50′ shop with power and an air compressor ensures that maintenance and repairs are a breeze. A four-bay storage shed, hay storage facilities, and equipment storage provide ample space for organizing and safeguarding your valuable assets.

Livestock Facilities

The ranch is fully equipped to handle the needs of your cattle operation. With well-maintained penning areas, a calving barn, stack yard, corrals, and livestock waterers, your livestock will be well cared for and comfortable. The ranch is also thoughtfully fenced with perimeter and x-fencing, ensuring the safety and security of your cattle.

A Self-Sufficient Oasis

One of the most impressive aspects of the ranch is its self-sufficiency. With 270 acres of hay production, a reliable source of flowing creeks and dugouts, and an infrastructure designed to support a thriving cattle operation, you’ll find yourself in a self-sustaining oasis of productivity. This is more than a ranch; it’s a lifestyle and a business opportunity all in one.

The ranch is located in the heart of British Columbia’s scenic Vanderhoof region offers a unique chance to invest in a turnkey operation that combines the beauty of the land with the profitability of a self-sustaining cattle business. Don’t miss your opportunity to own this slice of agricultural paradise. Your future as a rancher awaits.

LOCATION

12795 Stump Road – Vanderhoof, BC

Drive times:

• Prince George: 1 Hour
• Vanderhoof: 20 Minutes
• Smithers: 3 Hours 20 Minutes
• Vancouver: 9 Hours 40 Minutes
• Edmonton: 8 Hours 42 Minutes

The ranch’s location in-between Vanderhoof and Prince George ensures easy access to two large municipal centers. This helps with access to schools, recreational activities, the purchase of supplies and finding outlets for farm/ranch commerce.

DIRECTIONS

Contact Listing Realtor

AREA DATA

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 ft2 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

There are large swaths of coniferous leading plantation throughout the ranch.  There are also poplar stands throughout.

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 in the region is truly exceptional and the season lengths are long and generous.  You will find multiple species in the immediate vicinity of 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, salmon 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.

HISTORY

Early settlers came in from the south, over the western end of the Telegraph Trail.  They traveled up the west coast to Prince Rupert where they boarded river steamers to take them to Hazelton; then they trekked along the Trail to Fort Fraser.  Those bound for Fort St. James branched off and followed the pack trail between the two Hudson’s Bay Forts; other continued along the focal point of the Nechako Valley.  The telegraph line was erected in the early days with the object of forming an overland connection between America and Europe.  The Telegraph Trail followed the line from one end of British Columbia to the other and since it was the only trail into the country, it was also the main artery of travel.  Many of the men who had been employed on the telegraph line remained in the north, trading, trapping and prospecting for gold.

In 1906 the Village of Vanderhoof was only a survey line in the wilderness to mark the location of the planned railway.  When the last spike was driven on April 7, 1914 it started a race for the land.  The Grand Trunk Pacific Development Company offered cheap land and had one of their employees, Mr. Herbert Vanderhoof, lay out the town site.  Vanderhoof is Dutch for “of the farm” which was very appropriate, since it was the first agricultural settlement in the province.  The town grew and in 1926 the Village of Vanderhoof was born.  With the arrival of World War II many young men left and Vanderhoof came to a standstill.  With the rise of lumber prices and the arrival of new people in the late 1940s, it started to grow again.  The next boost to the population and the economy came with the construction of Kenny Dam in the early 1950s.  At the peak of its construction, it employed 1,500 men, and a number of them stayed in the area after the dam was built.  The next expansion period came with a large influx of American immigrants in the 1960s, and since that time Vanderhoof has enjoyed steady growth.

INVESTMENT FEATURES

• 1,280 acre working ranch
• 190 acres in upland hay
• 80 acres in meadow hay
• Produces 1,200 bales on average (1,000 lbs)
• Can self-sufficiently run 150 – 175 cow/calf pairs

SERVICES

• Artesian Well
• Field Well
• Outdoor wood boiler
• Electricity
• Oil heater
• Septic

IMPROVEMENTS

• 2,340 sqft ranch home (5 bedroom and 3 bathroom)
• 40’ x 50’ Shop with power and air compressor
• Four bay storage shed
• Hay storage
• Wood and equipment storage
• Penning areas
• Perimeter and x-fencing
• Calving barns
• Stack yard
• Corrals
• Livestock waterers

TAXES

$2,826 (2023)

ZONING

Agriculture

LEGAL

PART SW1/4, SECTION 24, TOWNSHIP 8, COAST RANGE 4 LAND DISTRICT PID: 015-661-741

PART NE1/4, SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP 8, COAST RANGE 4 LAND DISTRICT, EXC A STRIP OF LAND BEING THE MOST NORTHERLY 30 METRES IN PARALLEL WIDTH THEREOF PID: 010-813-659

PART NW1/4, SECTION 24, TOWNSHIP 8, COAST RANGE 4 LAND DISTRICT, EXC STRIPS OF LAND BEING THE MOST NORTHERLY 30 METRES & THE MOST WESTERLY 25 METRES IN PARALLEL WIDTHS THEREOF PID: 010-813-811

PART SE1/4, SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP 8, COAST RANGE 4 LAND DISTRICT PID: 015-661-733

PART W1/2, SECTION 23, TOWNSHIP 8, COAST RANGE 4 LAND DISTRICT, EXCEPT PLAN 12513 PID: 015-211-959

PART NE1/4, SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 8, COAST RANGE 4 LAND DISTRICT, EXCEPT PLAN 12513 PID: 015-211-886

PART SE1/4, SECTION 22, TOWNSHIP 8, COAST RANGE 4 LAND DISTRICT PID: 015-211-924