Night Sky Ranch
General Description
The Night Sky Ranch is located approximately six miles west and four miles north of Melrose, New Mexico. Access to the ranch is by way of US Highway 60 and county roads. The area offers a mild climate; Average precipitation is 16.3 inches and average snowfall is 13 inches. The ranch totals 880+/- acres with 400+/- Deeded Acres and a Private Lease of 480 +/- acres.
Topography and Soils
The Clovis series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable fine-sandy loam and loam soils on the plains. Other soil series present on the ranch consist of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable fine-loamy and coarse-loamy soils.
Topography of the ranch is generally flat to slightly rolling with slopes of 0-3 percent.
Vegetation
Grass species consists of Blue Grama, Sideoats Grama, Big Bluestem, Old World Bluestem, and other less numerous species. Shrub...
Grass species consists of Blue Grama, Sideoats Grama, Big Bluestem, Old World Bluestem, and other less numerous species. Shrubs are primarily yucca and forbs are present depending on precipitation.
Water
The ranch is very well watered with an abundant water supply consisting of 3 wells (2 electric and 1 solar) delivering water into a 5,000 gallon fiberglass storage tank that distributes water to all the pastures except the northern most 160 leased acres. There are ten 8-foot tire troughs strategically located the farthest an animal has to travel to water is around 1200 feet. The water pipeline consists of 1 160 psi polyethylene pipe. The electric wells are 70 ft and 90 ft in depth and the solar well is 140 ft deep. All the wells are inter-connected to provide water for the house and pipeline system. A natural playa lake will periodically hold water from hard rainfall.
Fences
All fences on this ranch are in good condition. The exterior fences are four and six strand barbed wire. The interior fences are three strand 12.5 gauge electric wire and powered by solar and electric fence chargers.
Ranch Operation
The ranch is managed intensively under the concept of Holistic Range Management utilizing a rest-rotation system that benefits the grasses. There are 16 pasture on the deeded acres. The three private lease acres are divided into eight pastures. The current owners operation consists of a herd of Dorper sheep; the lambs are direct-marketed to customers throughout the U.S. The range management over the last few years has resulted in improvements to the vegetation and soil health.
Wildlife
Wildlife seen on the ranch include pronghorn antelope, mule deer, quail, dove and other bird species.
Improvements & Facilities
The 2162 sq. ft. home, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, was recently remodeled and upgraded. It has a new metal roof, cabinets, floor covering, wiring, plumbing, windows, and the bathrooms and kitchen have been modernized.
There are two metal shop/barns; One is 5050 ft, the other is 3050 ft. There is also a three sided shed 12125 ft. that serves as a weather shelter and shade for the sheep.
Taxes
Estimated property tax for 2020 is $698.32
