45090 County Road T500 , Waubay, SD 57273(Day County)

Grasses on the Mendenhall Ranch range from the silty loam gamma grasses to blue stem, orchard, and even some western wheat grass. The variety makes for a well bedded system that supports growth all year during the growing season. Traditionally operated as a cow/calf ranch and calving unit, the strong grasses are well-suited for livestock production. With the improved corral system, barn space, wind break, and feed production capabilities of the Mendenhall Ranch, we invite you to consider the Mendenhall Ranch.

The Mendenhall Ranch is located in Roberts County, SD, ten miles from Waubay, SD at 45090 BIA Hwy 500, Waubay, SD.

LOCALE

The area surrounding the Mendenhall Ranch is part of South Dakotas Glacial Lakes Northeast region, home to wide open prairies and fresh glacial lakes. It has a rich frontier history of Native American settlers and early pioneers. In the 1700s, the Sioux Native American people came westward from Minnesota and settled in the area. The 1800s brought fur traders, explorers and pioneers to the area, bolstered by the creation of Dakota Territory in 1861 and the Homestead Act of 1863. Local history highlights several prominent pioneers, including Laura Ingalls Wilder and family.

The nearby town of Waubay was established in 1880 as the railroad continued to expand westward during the start of the Dakota Boom. Waubay is currently home to 473 people (2020) and is primarily focused on grain crops and livestock.

The Lake Traverse Indian Reservation is the homeland of the federally recognized Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, a branch of the Santee Dakota group of Native Americans. More than 60% of its land lies in Roberts County.

Outdoor recreational opportunities abound in South Dakotas Northeastern Region, with more than 120 glacial lakes, abundant wildlife and fishing, and state parks and recreational areas. Waubay National Wildlife Refuge is in the Prairie Pothole Region, a key in North America for waterfowl conservation, offers hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and archery.

The regional cities of Watertown and Aberdeen are both within an hours drive. Sioux Falls, just two hours away, provides regional airport services and plenty of accommodations and amenities.

Agriculture is the prominent industry in the area, which is some of South Dakotas most productive farmland. Aberdeen is a center for processing and related agribusiness, such as Agtegra, Demkota Ranch Beef (finishing and processing plant), and a soybean processing plant. Several railroad lines transport agricultural commodities through the region. Glacial Lakes Energys ethanol plant in Watertown produces 100 million gallons of ethanol per year.

OPERATION

The owner has used this property mainly as a wintering/calving headquarters for 500-600 cows allowing for grazing rest during the growing season. Fall moisture in 2021 produced terrific fall growth so the pastures are in excellent condition. Winter moisture has the property poised to grow a tremendous amount of forage for either haying or grazing for the 2022 summer. The property is available for possession at closing allowing for immediate return on your investment!

IMPROVEMENTS

The ranch boasts over 3,120 feet of 9-foot-tall super steel windbreak, attached to drill stem pipe set in concrete. Sprawling pens are strategically located to allow access back to the barns and working facilities both outside, as well as a cattle working system under roof. Along the north and west sides of the headquarters is a natural mature tree shelter belt comprised of deciduous trees.

Livestock on the ranch are supported by over 11,000 square feet of barn space, with half of that containing concrete flooring. The main barn complex consists of 8,575 square feet under roof and includes an indoor A-pen and alley, an ideal area for calving pens, as well as an old milk parlor and milking room both with concrete floors that would be tailor made for a vet room and hospital area. A separate 4060 quonset is also well situated for livestock shelter. At the west end of the yard is an 1820 Horse barn with tack room.

A 3860 quonset serves as the machine shed. The shed is spray-foam insulated and has an overhead door on the east end and sliding doors on the west for drive-thru access. There is a 24x 34 granary currently used for cold storage.

A comfortable 3,140 square foot, 4 bedroom, 2 bath home sits on three levels with an open floor plan and spacious rooms. The residence was built in 1984 and in 2009 the home received new siding and tin roof, as well as new tin roofing on all of the other main barns.

House- 3140sq.ft. single story, split level 4 Bed, 2 Bath with basement built 1984 with attached 720sq.ft. 2 car garage

Shop- 3860 2280sq.ft. Quonset built 1960 with steel roof, wood end walls

Barn- 36x60x8 2160sq.ft. built 1960 with a 18x60x7 1080sq.ft. lean-to addition; 6,416sq.ft. cattle barn was added to the main barn in 1978 and 1980

Tack Room- 18x20x8 360sq.ft. built 1980

Granary- 24x34x10 816sq.ft. unsure year built

Cattle Shed- 4060 2400sq.ft. Quonset built 1965

WATER

Livestock paddocks and working facilities are well equipped with 9 heated automatic water tanks receiving ample flow from the ranchs own private 500 well. The system also utilizes a 3,000-gallon cistern.

Water is supplied to the home from a separate privately owned shallow well of 30. There is ample flow for all purposes of domestic water, however, the owner does not drink the water.

LAND

The Mendenhall ranch has an extremely rich mix of warm and cool season grasses, making for strong livestock gains throughout the growing seasons. In 2010, 400 acres of the ranch were enrolled in a conservation easement. There is no restriction on grazing ability under the easement and hay may be harvested anytime after July 15th of every year. The gradual rolling terrain lends this property to suit the needs of the producer. Virtually all of the property can be grazed, however, and hay can be harvested on nearly every acre in the pastures as well, creating a multifaceted enterprise in the Mendenhall Ranch. The ever-growing hay marketing area allowed for the 2021 hay crop to be sold as far away as Montana.

TAXES

The 2021 taxes for the Mendenhall Ranch were: $9,814.88