Ranch & Recreational Group Prudential Montana Real Estate

Expanded Air Service to Bozeman Area

2012-02-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Getting to Montana is even easier now.... Two new non-stop flights will connect the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to San Francisco and New York City.

Allegiant Air will operate a twice weekly direct flight between Bozeman and the Oakland International Airport, with service beginning in April of 2012. Expansion of Allegiant into the Oakland airport as a new hub, and the popularity of travelers booking flights between the two areas, led to this expanded service. Special introductory rates will be as low as $39.99 for a one way ticket, but other fees will be applied for additional services. The convenience of a non-stop flight will be very appealing to travelers according to officials at the Bozeman airport.

Then this summer United Airlines will begin a direct flight to Newark Liberty International Airport for the summer. Officials from both the airline and the Bozeman airport were enthusiastic about the potential for this flight to open up a large un-served origin-and-destination market. The flight was supported by a federal grant as well as contributions from the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, Yellowstone Club, Big Sky and Moonlight Basin resorts.

~Don Pilotte, Broker, GRI, RRS, SFR, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Fly Fishing in Winter

2012-02-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

Winter can be a great time for a little fly fishing. Especially a mild winter like we are having in Montana. There are a few things to keep in mind to make your outing more enjoyable and to keep you toasty in the ever changing elements.

First, having the right clothes is a must! Lots of layers with synthetic fabrics top and bottom. Then a good layer of fleece and a windproof jacket. Leave the cotton at home! For me, having something warm on my head, neck and ears is a must. The winter wind on the river really has a bite. For your feet, consider getting a pair of wading boots that is a size larger than your summer boots. This way you can wear extra socks and have some wiggle room for increased circulation. Keep a pack or two of chemical hand warmers in an “easy to get into” pocket for the really cold finger situations. They are a lifesaver. I also keep a pack of matches with fire starter in a ziplock in case of emergency. It is always a good idea to have a dry set of clothes in the car in case you really do get wet or need that extra layer for warmth. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR WADING BELT!

In case of rod ice up situations, sometimes an extra rod isn’t a bad idea, especially if the fishing is good. By keeping your rod tip high, this will help in keeping excess water on your line and rod guides.

Using nymphs or eggs close to the bottom are your best bet. Fish are more sluggish in the winter so you almost need to dangle it right in front of their noses to get any interest.

Finally, when you have a nice fish on the line, use a net! The air temperature is often colder than the water temp and by keeping the fish in the water for release you will reduce the chance of shocking or freezing their gills.

Winter fly fishing is worth the extra time to get dressed. See you on the river!

If you are interested in having your own fishing property, please contact one of our experienced recreational property agents.

~Holly Pippel, Sales Associate, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Two of the World's Best Ski Towns in Montana

2012-02-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

National Geographic Adventure has named Bozeman, Montana as one of the World's 25 Best Ski Towns. The magazine compares what makes a classic ski town, with local tips on where to stay and play, whether you're on a budget or indulging. Naming Bozeman “the adventure capital of the Northern Rockies”, listing it fourth after towns in Alaska, British Columbia and Switzerland. The ranking made local headlines, read on in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle's article: National Geographic names Bozeman one of world’s top ski towns.

Whitefish, Montana also made the list, at number seven, noting that it is best for families and groups with disparate skiing abilities. The newly rechristened Whitefish Mountain Resort, formerly known as Big Mountain, looms above the western-style town, near the entrance of Glacier National Park.

If the adventure capital of the Northern Rockies is for you, check our our list of current inventory.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Buyers Love Big Sky

2012-02-06T17:36:00.006-07:00

Have you had a chance to check out the great ski conditions at Big Sky this season? It has also been a great season to check out the current inventory of Big Sky condos, homes, land and recreational property. The ski season kicked off Thanksgiving weekend. Since then, an amazing 23 residential properties have sold and an additional 16 are under contract, according to the Southwest Montana MLS.

If you are interested in learning more about ownership opportunities in Big Sky, contact one of our experience Ranch & Recreational Group members. We would be happy to show you around. It is a great time to buy!

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

New Book Release: Where Elk Roam

2012-02-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

Ruby Valley resident author, Bruce Smith, is a veteran wildlife manager and scientist, retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bruce spent most of his 30 year career at the Wind River Indian Reservation and the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming. His research has focused primarily on large mammal population ecology, diseases, migratory behavior and predator-prey relationships. Bruce earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and his PhD Degree in Zoology from the University of Wyoming.

From his home and habitat refuge near Sheridan, Montana, Bruce writes to promote wildlife conservation and resource sustainability. His latest book, Where Elk Roam, is his third book and the first published in over 60 years for a general audience about the Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s famous elk herds. This first-person account mixes personal stories and field experiences of the National Elk Refuge biologist (1982-2004) with the details of this iconic elk herd’s ecology, and the role that socio-economics plays in its management and conservation. The narrative centers on the winter feeding program, designed to sustain more elk than the winter range can support, and the consequences to habitat, biodiversity, and the health of the elk from crowding thousands of animals on feed grounds each winter.

Bruce has two previously published novels: Imperfect Pasture: A Century of Change at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, published in September, 2004, and Wildlife on the Wind: A Field Biologist’s Journey and an Indian Reservation’s Renewal published in November, 2011. For more information about Bruce L. Smith’s career and works, please visit his website.

Bruce Smith will discuss his works and publications at a Twin Bridges Rotary Club sponsored presentation at the Twin Bridges High School Montana Room starting at 7 :00 pm on February 22, 2012. For additional information regarding this event, please contact Rotary President, Frank Colwell, at (406) 596-1076.

~Frank Colwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

One of the Largest Cropland Offerings

2012-02-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

A Canadian-based company, Hudye Farms, has recently listed its approximate 18,000 acres of cropland on the border of Colorado and Kansas. It is said to be one of the largest cropland sales the west (midwest) has ever seen. The asking price of $49 million dollars, is a little over $2,700 per acre.

With farmland values on the upswing, rising commodity prices, low interest rates, inflation pressures and other world economic factors, investors continue to seek out long-term investments with desirable returns in the agricultural land market. As these investors seek land investments, and cash-rich farmers desire to expand their operations, farmland available for sale is in very limited supply. The record-setting prices of the past two years have not swayed buyer's interests as they continue to buy up the limited available properties for sale at a record pace. Read more in Brownfield Ag News.

Please contact one of our experienced Brokers for more information on investing in Montana's land markets.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

USDA: Trends in Farmland Values

2012-01-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

Farm real estate (including land and buildings) is the major asset on the farm sector balance sheet, accounting for nearly 84 percent of total U.S. farm assets. The USDA Economic Research Service provides up to date data on agricultural land values.

Trends:1969-2011
Farmland values rose throughout much of the post-World War II period. Real farmland prices increased 92 percent from 1969 to 1981, as agricultural producers responded to high returns and federal policies encouraging investment in agriculture. After 1981, farmland values began to decline in response to rapidly rising interest rates and higher energy prices. Since the farm crisis of the mid-1980s, farmland real estate values (including land and buildings) have been rising in both nominal and real (i.e., inflation-adjusted) terms. Between 1994 and 2004, real values increased between 2 and 4 percent annually, and in 2005 and 2006 increased by 16 percent and 10 percent respectively. Since then, real growth in farmland values has slowed, but is still increasing by 3 to 5 percent annually. States in several regions, including the Corn Belt and Great Plains, experienced double digit growth between 2010 and 2011, while many States in the Southeast and Northeast experienced declines.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Community Counts

2012-01-28T07:00:00.003-07:00

As active members of our community, Prudential Montana Real Estate’s Ranch & Recreational Group agents contribute to and volunteer in numerous organizations. We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming events or programs:

• American Quarter Horse Association
• Ducks Unlimited
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Gallatin County
• Big Sky Ski Education Foundation Volunteer
• Gallatin County 4-H
• Gallatin Gateway Growth Planning Committee
• Gallatin Gateway Ladie’s Aide
• Gallatin Gateway Partner’s in Education
• Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture
• High Winds Youth Rodeo Sponsor
• Kaleidoscope Youth Theater
• Legion Baseball
• Lions Club - Bozeman and Ennis
• Madison County Cutting Sponsor
• Madison County Fair and Rodeo
• Montana CattleWomen
• Montana Cutting Horse Association Corporate Sponsorship
• Montana Outfitters & Guides Association
• Montana State University Rodeo Team - MSU Spring Rodeo Sponsor
• Montana State University Rodeo Team Fundraising Committee
• Montana State University School of Agriculture Scholarship Sponsor
• Montana Stockgrowers Association
• Montana Trout Foundation
• Montana Graingrower's Association
• National Rifle Association
• Pheasants Forever
• Prudential Montana Real Estate Community Charitable Foundation
• Rancher Roundtable
• Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA)
• REALTORS® Land Institute
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Ruby Valley Agriculture Banquet
• Ruby Watershed Council
• Senior Pro Rodeo – Twin Bridges
• Southwest Montana Farm and Ranch Brokers
• Three Rivers Arena Club
• Trout Unlimited
• Twin Bridges High School Booster Club
• Twin Bridges Rotary Club
• United States Team Roping Championship Association
• Virginia City Planning Board

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Forest Service Cabin Demo

2012-01-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

For those who have always dreamed of owning your own cabin in the woods, there is an excellent opportunity to experience the cabin lifestyle. There are several recreation cabins available for rent on the 1.8 million acre, Gallatin National Forest. Built primarily in the 1920s and 1930s for use by early Forest Rangers, the cabins offer a chance to camp in the forest in a rustic old-time setting. Some of the cabins have electricity, all have either wood or electric stoves for cooking and heating, none have indoor plumbing. Some of the cabins are located right on a road; others require that you hike, horesback ride, ski or snowmobile in to them.

Recently, the Bozeman Chronicle featured a photo essay describing such an experience in the Crazy Mountains near Wilsall. Check out the outdoor feature: Out on patrol: Gallatin National Forest cabins offer glimpse of old Montana.

If you're ready to find your own cabin in the woods, contact one of our experienced Ranch & Recreational Group Brokers to view the current inventory.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Rural Living in Montana

2012-01-23T15:32:00.002-07:00

Always interested in tools of the trade, I recommend a subscription to Big Sky Small Acres magazine.

As more people make Montana their home, traditional ranches and farms are being divided into smaller acreage lots. Big Sky Small Acres is a quarterly publication produced by Montana State University Extension for those landowners, and anyone else looking for information and education on the natural resource issues they face as they care for their land. The most recent issue covered topics in Livestock Range Law, Stream Permits, Groundwater, as well as many other interesting local topics.

MSU Extension is a statewide educational outreach network that applies unbiased, research-based university resources to practical needs identified by the people of Montana in their home communities.

If you're looking to buy or sell rural land in Montana, please contact us today!

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Ranch Horses in Russia

2012-01-20T13:04:00.001-07:00

This is not the first time we've mentioned the Stevenson Sputnik story and the Montana ranchers and friends helping Russia re-establish its beef industry. However, this is the first mention of the importance of the experienced ranch horses required to manage the herd. Western Horseman magazine recently published an comprehensive article describing the Montana Russian beef cattle project and ranch horses behind the business. This interesting feature chronicles the project from its roots in Montana, the arduous sea voyage to Russia and the first year of ranch life on the Russian steps. Read on in the detailed, three part series, "Comrade Cowboy", which features photographs by it's author, Ryan Bell.

Please contact one of our experience ranch Brokers for information on Montana beef cattle ranching or horse property.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Twin Bridges is "In the Running"

2012-01-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

On November 7, 2011, I submitted a short blog article regarding the Historic Round Barn, built in the late 1800's by Noah Armstrong on his Dorncaster Ranch north of Twin Bridges, Montana, and the birthplace of the only Montana born horse to win the Kentucky Derby (1889). Since then, and surely not as a result of my earlier article, The Madison County Economic Development Council has recently announced its decision to nominate the historic Round Barn located north of Twin Bridges as as Madison County’s selected site for the competition for location and development of the proposed Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center.

Madison County had many other very good location options for its submission, but chose the Round Barn due to its historical relevance and a pledge by the James family to donate the barn and adjoining 30 acres of land if the site is chosen. The barn and site property are located on the Hamilton Ranch, purchased by Tony and Amie James last year. Needless to say, that the development of the proposed Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center on this site would be a terrific economic boom to the small town of Twin Bridges and all of Madison County.

Sam Korsmoe, Madison County Economic Development Director, outlined their decision and plans in an article titled, We Are Spokane, in the January 12, 2012 Opinions Section of the Madisonian:

More than 130 years ago, an entrepreneur from Kentucky with a get ‘er done attitude acquired a 4,000-acre ranch along the Jefferson River. The ranch was in an area that would become Madison County and in a territory that would become the great state of Montana. The entrepreneur’s name was Noah Armstrong. He had made a fortune in the gold fields of Montana and was returning to his passion for horses and horse racing.

One of Armstrong’s first moves was to build a three-layered, round barn reminiscent of the fabled Kentucky horse barns of the late 19th century. In 1885, he purchased a thoroughbred mare named Interpose and had her bred to Hyder Ali, a well-known racing stallion of the time. The resulting foal was named Spokane because Armstrong learned of the birth of his new foal while in Spokane Falls, Washington.

Three years later, Spokane, a small chestnut sorrel, was in the starting gate awaiting the start of the 15th Kentucky Derby. He was a 6-1 long shot. When Spokane trotted onto the track to warm up, the Kentucky fans laughed at him because of his small size while heartily cheering for the odds-on favorite and native son, Procter Knott. Though he started slow, Spokane poured it on in the stretch and beat Procter Knott by a nose. He set the Kentucky Derby track record that still stands today for the 1.5 mile distance. To further prove his mettle, Spokane beat Procter Knott at least one more time on his way to winning the equivalent of the Triple Crown of the era by winning the American Derby and the Clark Handicap. Spokane is Montana’s only Kentucky Derby winner.

Six months to the day after Spokane’s record setting Kentucky Derby win, the state of Montana was born. The spirit and get ‘er done attitude of Spokane flows through the veins of most Montanans, most especially the residents of the county of his birth.

Why is this relevant? The Madison County Economic Development Council has nominated the round red barn plus 30 acres surrounding the barn on the Hamilton/Seidensticker Ranch near Twin Bridges as Madison County’s selected site for the competition to win the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center. We had four sites to choose from and we are going with our strongest horse. We intend to win.

The new owners of the Hamilton/Seidensticker Ranch – Tony and Amie James – have said they would consider donating the barn plus 30 acres of land to the project if Madison County is selected. I’m working out the details, but this is a real opportunity. The barn and Spokane are already inductees in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The other communities still in the running for the hall of fame have not yet proposed gifting any land to the project. All their proposed sites have price tags. We are ahead of the competition on at least two counts. First, the land and an iconic barn will be a gift, thus greatly lowering the costs of getting the hall of fame project started. Second, the barn and Spokane, Montana’s most famous racehorse that was born and trained in the barn, are already hall of fame inductees. We’re definitely on a roll, but we have not yet won.

Continue reading in The Madisonian.

Finalists in the selection process by the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage organization include Livingston, Big Timber, Big Sky, Miles City and Wolf Point as well as Twin Bridges. A final decision regarding their decision is expected sometime in February, 2012. For more information, please visit the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame website.

~Frank Colwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2012-01-16T12:02:00.001-07:00

The third Monday in January is a federal holiday honoring civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. It took 15 years to create this federal holiday, which was introduced into legislation four days after King was assassinated in 1968. The bill became stalled, but petitions endorsing the holiday, which contained six million names, were submitted to congress. In 1983 congress passed the holiday legislation, which was then signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

A Baptist minister, King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.

~Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

MSU Offers Cropping Seminars

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Montana State University Extension will host its annual series of Golden Triangle Cropping Seminars January 16th thru 19th in several communities across Montana. Daily seminars will be held in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Denton, Fort Benton, Great Falls and Shelby. Information on crop variety selection, soil fertility and grain quality will be presented. There will also be an update on foliar and root diseases of small grain crops, an update on crop insects, and information on grasshoppers, sawflies, cutworms and other insect pests.

The Prudential Montana Real Estate's Ranch & Recreational Group is proud of our Montana farmers and wish them the best for this upcoming crop season. For more information on Montana cropland, contact one of our experienced Brokers today.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Farmland Sales in the News

2012-01-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

The recent boom in farmland and values made national news this past week. Land values in Iowa have increased as much as 30% this past year. Watch Rock Center with Brian Williams, on NBC, to learn more about Field$ of Dreams$: Real Estate Prices Soaring in Iowa.

Please contact one of our experienced land Brokers to learn about investing in Montana's land markets.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Calving in Southwest Montana

2012-01-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

Calving season has started for some of the Montana ranchers or is rapidly approaching. Personally, we are getting ready to start the first of February. Due to the mild winter this year, our cattle are still on pasture. We are supplementing them with soybean/salt, protein supplement and about 10 pounds of hay.

I have often been asked what is the deciding factor for when ranchers calve. Most ranchers I know base it on the calving facilities they have available. If you are going to calve the cows in the winter, you need calving facilities on the ranch for inclement weather; mainly barns or sheds and wind breaks. A northerly snow storm can be very costly if you aren’t prepared. The newborn calf needs a good, dry place. Then the calf itself can dry off and nurse to withstand the cold temperatures. Without adequate facilities, many ranchers will spring calve to eliminate the need for shelter.

Winter calving increases the need for nutrition for the cows. Producers should compensate for the increased energy requirements by increasing the amount of dietary energy available to the cattle during cold weather. The amount of hay you must feed increases as the cows produce milk. Your calf age will determine when you brand and wean.

So, there is definitely a lot of planning and many elements to consider when determining what time of the year you decide to begin calving.

~Bob Davis, Broker, GRI, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Stockgrowers Convention & Trade Show

2012-01-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

Michelle & Jim Van Dyke with Bob Griffith
Photo by Leah Olson

It was a great time to connect with old friends and make new ones at the 127th Annual Montana Stockgrowers Association and Montana CattleWomen Convention held December 16th - 18th at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana in Billings, Montana. Leah Olson, Bob Griffith and myself had the opportunity to man the Prudential Montana Real Estate’s Ranch & Recreational Group booth at this year’s trade show, which gave us the opportunity to reach out to those we serve in our business and get feedback on markets in their areas of the state. With cattle prices and agriculture commodities at record highs, it was no wonder this convention saw many smiling faces in the crowd. It was nice to talk with some ag lenders there who dispelled the myth that financing is a high hurdle to jump, and to learn that there are new options out there for first time farmers/ranchers who want to dive into this industry.

This was one event that my husband would actually attend since we are members of MSGA and he had the opportunity to visit with his fellow stockmen and friends. We stuck around for the banquet on Saturday evening and the grand finale, which was the drawing for a brand new Ford Super Duty Truck. You had to be present to win and last year a good friend of ours, Buck Ward, won so we thought it was well worth the wait. When the ticket was drawn from the tumbler, there was one disappointed person, because the person first drawn was not there and they drew again. Gary and Phyllis Eliasson from Roundup were the lucky winners and were handed the keys. Even if it wasn’t my name drawn, it was worth the trip and an honor to represent the Ranch & Recreational Group in such a wonderful mix of people.

~Michelle Van Dyke, Broker, ALC, GRI, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Bozeman: 1 of 5 Best College Towns for Winter Enthusiasts

2012-01-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

According to U.S. News & World Report, Bozeman, Montana is one of the five best college towns for winter enthusiasts. The article states that the list of activities for students to participate in during the winter months at Montana State University is seemingly endless. Receiving roughly 350 inches of snow annually, located about 90 miles from Yellowstone National Park, and surrounded by 10,000-foot mountain ranges, Montana State is an ideal spot for the winter outdoor enthusiast. Read more at USNews.com.

~Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Proposed Increase in Estate Taxes

2012-01-02T07:00:00.001-07:00

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, has introduced the “Sensible Estate Tax Act of 2011”. McDermott’s bill would reduce the current exemption from $5 million to $1 million and raise the estate tax rate from 35% to 55%. The bill would also impose limits to the generation-skipping transfer tax exemption and require a minimum 10-year period for grantor retained annuity trusts. The estate tax is set to revert back to 2001 levels after next year. You can find Congressman Jim McDermott on Facebook if you’d like to let him know what you think.

In my opinion, this is anything but a “Sensible Estate Tax Act”. As a third generation ranch owner, this would wipe out what my ancestors have passed down and worked a lifetime to create for their children and in turn my children. I think the general population has to start realizing where their food comes from instead of trying to put them out of business.

~Michelle Van Dyke, Broker, ALC, GRI, SRS, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T07:00:00.001-07:00

Prudential Montana Real Estate's

Ranch & Recreational Group

wishes you a

healthy, happy and prosperous new year!

123,000 Acre Montana Ranch For Sale

2011-12-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

The 123,000 acre Broken O Ranch near Augusta, Montana is now on the market for $132,500,000. This offering spans three counties and includes more than 20 miles of the Sun River. It has been assembled by William and Desiree Moore, founders of the Kelly-Moore Paint Company. Read more in the Billings Gazette.

If you are interested in buying or selling your own Montana ranch property, please contact one of our experienced Ranch Brokers.

~Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

New Record Sale for Iowa Farmland

2011-12-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

More interesting news from the farmland sector.... Driven by high commodity prices and excellent livestock markets, farmland values continue to rise. For the second time in one year, Iowa breaks its own record for productive farmland prices. Iowa set a new farmland price when a 74-acre tract near Hull in Sioux County went for $20,000 per acre. Read on in the Des Moines Register.

Contact one of our experienced land Brokers for information on Montana's land markets.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T06:00:00.005-07:00

Prudential Montana Real Estate's

Ranch & Recreational Group

wishes you a very Merry Christmas!

Cattle Rustling: On the Rise

2011-12-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

It seems the historic crime of cattle rustling is hotter than ever. With these tough economic times cattle thefts are up across the nation. Officials in Wyoming say they are seeing more thefts and in larger numbers.

Cattle theft has been rising since 2004 when beef prices took a big jump and was boosted even more by a slump in the economy. Thieves are getting very high tech using global positioning systems to navigate the wide-open range. At up to $2,000 a head, picking up a couple cows here and there is more lucrative than robbing a convenience store.

Montana and Wyoming, as well as other larger cattle-producing states, have a “brand law”. Cattle producers are required to register their brand with the state for animal identification. Other forms of ID include tattooing and micro chipping the cattle. A brand is the cows “return address.” It is required to confirm ownership and is inspected when livestock is shipped for slaughter, sold or transported over certain distances. This applies to horses as well in the states that have a brand law.

Hardest hit by cattle rustling in these past few years is Missouri. They do not have a “brand law” in place, which saves them from paying fees, but also their cattle often carry no identifying marks. If they are nit marked in some way, authorities are looking for a “black cow”. This makes it easy for thieves to unload stolen livestock quickly. Missouri Cattlemens Association estimates 1.1 million lost in cattle and equipment in the past 4 years.

In Montana alone, investigators have recovered more than 7,300 stolen or missing cattle in the past three years. Estimated worth of those cattle, nearly 8 million dollars. They believe that is just a fraction of what is really going on. Two years later, Mary Cross of the Cross Ranch in northwest Montana has still not recovered her 21 stolen cows and calves.

Ranchers are on edge with the spike in thefts. Rustling was considered a hanging offense on the old frontier. These days, if caught, jail time is a certainty.

~Holly Pippel, Sales Associate, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Gallatin Valley Christmas Light Contest

2011-12-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

Third Place Winner ~ Tim Gray ~ 313 Powder River Road

Prudential Montana Real Estate held it's first annual "Get Your Lights On" Christmas light contest this month. The contest was open to Gallatin Valley residents, and the winners received cash prizes along with a cash donation to the charity of their choice. The winners were recently announced, with Bambi and Ernie Dennis of 7776 Leverich Road in Bozeman winning first place. A complete list of winners and nominees, along with a map of decorated homes, can be found on the Bozeman Daily Chronicle's website. Thank you to all of the participants.

~Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Gallatin Gateway School Greenhouse in Winter

2011-12-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

While the weather outside is frightful, the flowers are so delightful!

The Gallatin Gateway School fifth graders have been working on an interesting project this Winter. They are working in the school's greenhouse! The children took pride in cleaning and organizing the outdoor greenhouse. In addition, each fifth grade student was able to pot a bulb in the color of their choice. The bulbs, donated by the Wild Rose Greenhouse, were grown with the intentions of blooming for Christmas. With a variety of success, the beautiful Amaryllis blooms will be sold as fundraiser at their Winter Music Program. Money raised will help to fund new technology in their classroom, a Smartboard. Their fifth grade teacher, Mrs Axtman, was honored on KBZK news for her receipt of the "One Class at a Time" grant, that funded a portion of the technology. The grant is a parntership between KBZK news and First Interstate Bank.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

See you at the Stockgrowers Trade Show

2011-12-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

Cattle in the Ruby Valley

The Montana Stockgrowers Association and Montana CattleWomen Convention and Trade Show is being held at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana and Montana Convention Center in Billings, Montana, December 15th - 17th. Please stop by and see Prudential Montana Real Estate's Ranch & Recreational Group at Booth #61, where you can talk with our experienced ranch brokers and pick up copies of our newsletters, flyers and promotional items. We are proud to be part of the 127th annual MSGA convention and the 59th annual MCW convention.

Ariel Overstreet with the Montana Stockgrowers Association expects 600 ranchers to descend on Billings today. "Obviously the markets are great right now, said Overstreet in a Billings Gazette article." Exports were high. This was the first year we were a net exporter and by a pretty significant number, too."

Also in Billings on Saturday is the Chase Hawks Rodeo. Proceeds go to The Chase Hawks Community Crisis Fund.

The Changing Landscape of Real Estate

2011-12-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

In the past five years some interesting trends have been developing. Land, once owned by developers is being converted back into cropland. In many cases, raw land prices have fallen to the point that agriculture becomes the highest and best use. Speculators in many states, but especially California and Florida, purchased land with the intent of development. To a lesser extent that happened in Montana, but in looking at land prices and uses around Three Forks, one finds a good example in the Treasure State.

As crop prices increase and housing slumps, the carrying costs to keep the land in development inventory become a burden and selling becomes a viable alternative.

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, an Arizona dairy farming family in Buckeye, purchased a foreclosed 760 acre agricultural field for 8 million dollars. In 2005, real estate developers paid $40.8 million for the same land.

While most development land has been falling in value, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture the value of U.S. cropland rose almost 20% between 2007 and 2011.

In another example from Arizona, the England family repurchased 430 acres in Eloy, Arizona. The family recently bought the foreclosed property for $1.75 million. In 2004 they originally purchased the property for $731,000 but flipped it to developers in 2009 for $8.6 million.

According to the USDA the acreage being farmed has remained constant at 920 million acres since 2007. From 2000 and 2007, land being farmed decreased by two to four million acres per year.

Changing development land back into agriculture represents a demographic shift of major proportion; the trend had been just the opposite dating back all the way to the end of World War II. With weak housing demands, high unemployment, the high cost of commuting, this trend has the potential to last for some time. Compounding this are high agricultural prices, with no indication that those prices will fall in the near future.

~Don Pilotte, Broker, GRI, RRS, SFR, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Most Impressive Beef Cattle Market in History

2011-12-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

Drover's CattleNetwork recently reported that Thanksgiving week beef cattle markets were the most impressive in history. It may have been turkey week in America, but packers were hot after cattle in days before Thanksgiving, driving the market $1 to $4 higher. The November cattle and beef markets produced a rally of historic proportions.

“This has by-far been the most impressive market performance in the history of the beef cattle industry and it has happened right in the face of turkey/ham day and the seasonal lull in retail beef featuring and purchasing,” says USDA Market News reporter Corbitt Wall. The market has produced “all-time record high prices during November on most major cattle and beef products." Read more at Drover's CattleNetwork.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Twin Bridges Falcons State Football Class “C” Champions

2011-12-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Twin Bridges Falcons football team earned the Class “C” State Championship with their decisive 44-28 defeat of Fairview at Fairview on Saturday, November 20, 2012. The Falcons and two busloads of supportive fans traveled over 1,000 miles round trip on stormy conditions as part of this feat. Temperatures hovered around zero degrees fahrenheit with light breezes and the icy field was rock hard.

There were many standout performances including those by quarterback Tyler Lott, receivers Cody Pierson and Danny Mehring and running back Cole Miotke. It was definitely an overall team effort that took the Falcons throughout the playoffs and in the Championship game. The team roster shown below lists all players, coaches and staff of the Champion Twin Bridges Falcons. Much celebration followed the Championship in the small town of Twin Bridges.

Twin Bridges, Montana, population around 500, is located at the confluences of the Ruby, Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers as they come together near Twin Bridges to form the Jefferson River. At a school rally held at the high school auditorium the following week, the team, coaches and support staff were honored by the school and community. Bob Graham and Ron Paige, two members on the Falcon’s only previous State Championship in 1952 were there to add to the celebration. Congratulations to the Falcons Football Team and all involved with this accomplishment!

~Frank Colwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Twin Bridges Champs

2011-12-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

The town of Twin Bridges is a buzz with the recent victory of their beloved Twin Bridges High School Falcons winning the State Class C Football Championship. They defeated Fairview for the title on November 19th, with a 44-28 victory. It was their first state football championship in 59 years, and it was double sweet for the head football coach, Rob Lott, whose son, Tyler, is a senior and the school's quarterback. Twin Bridges fans packed two buses, which cleared the town out for the weekend, and traveled over 1,000 miles round trip to cheer their team on in a blizzard. There is something to be said about the small town enthusiasm for their sports and those who rally behind the little guy.

The fire truck parade topped off the team's victory when they arrived back home and now we are settling into the Christmas season with the town lit up and decorated for the holidays. Main Street merchants have lined Main Street with Christmas trees, wreaths, garland and were bustling to prepare for their Christmas Stroll held on December 1st. It might be a small town but its big on heart and their pride shows throughout as you take a trip down Main Street.

~Michelle Van Dyke, Broker, ALC, GRI, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

The Historic Sacajawea Hotel

2011-12-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

A Gallatin Valley family takes pride in offering their Three Forks renovation project to the public. After several months of renovations, the historic, Sacajawea Hotel, is a year-round destination for local tourists, hunters and fisherman. The Folkvord family offers the Hotel with restored historic elements, modern amenities and elegant cuisine.

The Sacajawea Hotel was built in 1910 as a grand stopping point for Milwaukee Railroad passengers interested in traveling by stagecoach to Yellowstone National Park, roughly 100 miles away. Its deep, wrap-around porch sported 26 bright white columns and enough chairs for each guest in its 29 rooms to take in the Tobacco Root Mountains to southwest or the more southern Madison Range. Big armed, deep-cushioned loungers on the porch do the job now. The front half of the Sac was constructed by John Q. Adams, a railroad agent who saw the benefit of having a large hotel across the street from the Milwaukee Depot. The back of the hotel, an older, but equally large inn known as the Madison House, was originally located away from the Milwaukee in a pre-railroad town called Gallatin City. Madison House was moved to the site using rollers and horse teams.

Read more in the Billings Gazette.

Interested in finding your own historic renovation project? Contact one our qualified Broker's to check out the current inventory of historic Montana properties.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Rodeo Time!

2011-12-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

Attention Rodeo fans! Don’t forget to tune in to the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo beginning December 1st and going through December 10th. This event often referred to as rodeo’s super bowl takes place in Las Vegas, NV, on the campus of UNLV. Montana will be sending three contestants to the big show including brother’s Clay and Brady Tryan in the team roping and saddle bronc rider Jesse Kruse. For other Wrangler NFR FAQ’s and broadcast times log on to prorodeo.com.

~Chance Bernall, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

It's Never Too Late!

2011-11-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

Often times I'll hear people say it's too late in the season to go hunting or that they have no place to hunt. Last year I wrote a small article about hunting on public property, and, if you do your research, there are numerous places for the public to hunt that have great access. This white tail buck was taken the day before big game seasons ended, on public land. You never know, unless you go!

If you are interested in finding your own Montana hunting property, please contact one of our experienced ranch Brokers.

~Bryan Atwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Plancha Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops

2011-11-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

With an Apple Jelly Reduction Sauce

The following is an excerpt from my soon-to-be-published cookbook from Running Press:

This simple straightforward way of doing lamb chops is still my favorite way of doing them. Cooked on a gas grill with a plancha, (cast iron or stainless steel plate), and served with a decent Pinot Noir, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Wet Rub Mixture: For 6 to 8 chops (2 to 3 per person)

¾ Cup olive oil
5 cloves chopped fresh garlic
1 T cracked black pepper
2 T chopped fresh rosemary
1 t sea salt

Blend together in a crude paste and place on top of each chop, allow the chops to sit herb side up for 2 to 12 hours.

Cooking: Cook on a very hot surface. If you are using a gas grill, place the plancha directly on top of the burners or flare protectors and preheat for at least 15 minutes on the highest setting. Gently place the chops, herb side down, so that the garlic and rosemary coating come into contact with the hot surface. The mixture should char but not burn as the garlic will turn bitter. After 4 to 5 minutes gently turn the chops and cook for another 4 or 5 minutes until medium rare. Set on a warm platter to rest and make the sauce.

Sauce:

1 cup chicken or lamb demi-glace
2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
½ cup apple jelly
1 tsp cracked black pepper
1 tsp balsamic vinegar

Mix together in a small pan and reduce the mixture by half. Allow 1 Tbsp of sauce per chop, and spoon directly over each chop.

~Jay Bentley, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group and Chef/Owner of The Mint Bar & Cafe

Montana Ranchers Honored with Neighbor Awards

2011-11-26T07:00:00.002-07:00

The Montana Neighbor Award annually recognizes landowners who have gone above and beyond to practice good conservation, work with recreationists and help bring people together to ensure the state's open lands, wildlife and traditional values endure.

This year, Governor Schweitzer was on hand to award three Montana ranching families. Jim Dinsmore of Hall, Lisa and Mike Bay of Wolf Creek, and Irene and John Weaver of Ovando received the awards this week. Read on...

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

Henny-Penny was raised by Joe Olson, age 11

The 4-H Turkeys, meant for the table, now the beloved pets of their farmer boy.

To learn more about raising turkeys, watch the PBS Nature program, My Life as a Turkey, which follows Joe Hutto raise turkey hatchlings to adulthood. He has also written the book about turkeys entitled, Illumination in the Flatwoods: A Season with the Wild Turkey.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Donate Your Harvest this Holiday Season

2011-11-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

This hunting season, consider donating your quality wild game to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. In a recent news release the Gallatin Valley Food Bank made the request for meat donations. They help between 16,000 and 17,000 individuals a year in our area.

“This local, renewable resource goes a long way when it comes to feeding people in need in our community,” Jill Holder, the food bank’s operations manager, said in a written statement. Last year, hunters donated more than 13,000 pounds of meat. Meeting or exceeding that amount would be “tremendous,” Holder said. High-quality protein can be difficult to come by but is critical to feeding those who turn to the food bank for support, a food bank news release said. Read on in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Where Will You be Watching?

2011-11-18T14:34:00.011-07:00

This Saturday marks the biggest event in Montana! The 111th meeting of the #1 ranked Montana State Bobcats and #7 Montana Grizzlies for the Brawl of the Wild, Cat-Griz, football game. The game has major implications on the Big Sky Conference championship and its automatic bid to the Division I tournament. The Rivalry, since 1897, is one of the oldest in the nation.

If you aren't able to make it to the sold out game, attend one of the world-wide satellite parties and cheer on your favorite team.

Go Cats!

Photo: Several members of the Montana Army National Guard who are deployed in Iraq recently gathered to say “thank you” and show their support for their favorite football team as the 111th Cat-Griz “Brawl of the Wild” approached. John English, a helicopter pilot with the Guard and former principal at Bench Elementary (third from left), arranged the photo shoot and sent it to family and friends back in Montana.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Ancient Hunting Ground

2011-11-18T07:00:00.001-07:00

Regarded as prime hunting grounds for thousands of years, the Missouri River Headwaters area is as rich in history, as it is in wild game. Prehistoric people and Native Americans migrated from all over the northwest to live off the resources of the Headwaters. Lewis and Clark noted the Headwaters Region as having the largest population of game and beaver along their journey. Upon the return to the states, the fur trappers were in a rush to establish their claim to the Headwaters, one of the first areas in the state to be revisited by the explorers.

Whether you hunt wildlife for sport or photography, the Headwaters Ranch offers endless opportunities. The wildlife populations are strong at this location, due to the privacy and abundant natural resources. This exclusive 200 + acres property offers refuge to trophy deer, a resident moose herd, abundant bird populations and blue ribbon trout.

Nearby, in the millions of acres public lands, there are rifle and archery hunting seasons for elk, deer, and antelope. Goat, sheep, mountain lion, and bear hunting are also plentiful as well as upland and wetland game birds.

This hunting season, consider acquiring your own private hunting ground. Contact Leah Olson for a personal tour of the Headwaters Ranch, near Three Forks and Bozeman.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

MSU Animal & Range Science Career Workshop

2011-11-16T10:23:00.001-07:00

Ranch & Recreational Group Broker, Leah Olson

Montana State Career Services recently held a workshop at Montana State University promoting career opportunities for College of Agriculture students in Animal and Range Sciences. A panel of Animal Science graduates were invited to discuss their college experience and path to success into their respective careers. Speakers included Department Head, Dr. Glenn Duff, a laboratory embryologist, a registered cattle public relations marketing director and our very own, Leah Olson, Broker and Accredited Land Consultant.

There are now 300 undergraduate students and 18 graduate students enrolled in Animal and Range Sciences. Dr. Duff says that MSU is one of the few universities in the nation that focuses on practical, hands-on, real-world instruction and research. "While other ag colleges are downsizing their teaching and laboratory practicums, students know they can come to MSU and acquire the basic and relevant animal and range science skills that prepare them for jobs in the industry or in production agriculture," reported Dr. Duff.

The presentation also included interesting statistics regarding employment rates, income and destinations of MSU Agriculture graduates. The majority of MSU grads in agriculture are in employed in Montana after graduation. The workshop offered MSU students a great opportunity to network with industry leaders.

~Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Nature's B-52 Squadron

2011-11-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

While out on an early morning big game hunt, our attention was diverted to the skies. We admired squadrons of giant, white fowl flying in formation. The hundreds of migrating swans were an impressive sight against brilliant blue back drop.

Swans are the largest waterfowl in North America. They can be up to 5 feet in length, have a wingspan of almost 7 feet and weigh over 20 pounds. Two species of swans are common to Montana, the resident Trumpeter Swan and the non-resident or migrating Tundra Swan. Trumpeter Swans are similar in appearance, but larger than the, more vocal Tundra Swans.

Fall migration dates for the Bozeman area are typically November through mid December. The migrating swans usually follow the Rocky Mountain Front, moving further south as water freezes or food diminishes. Trumpeter Swans are known winter in the Ennis Lake and Madison River complex, as well as Hebgen Lake and the surrounding area. Winter habitat includes areas where water does not freeze and food is plentiful.

According to the Montana Audobon Society, the Missouri River Headwaters area is a part of the major migratory corridor. Resident swans have been known to winter at the Headwaters Ranch consistently for years. If your interested in seeing them in person, contact Leah Olson for a private tour of this exceptional wildlife habitat.

Source: Montana Field Guide

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Happy Veterans Day!

2011-11-11T12:51:00.001-07:00

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is the annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. Major hostilities of World War I, known as "The Great War", formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. For more information please visit the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Prudential Montana Real Estate's Ranch & Recreational Group salutes our Veterans.

Freedom is Not Free.

November Property Tour

2011-11-10T16:37:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Prudential Montana Real Estate's Ranch & Recreational Group toured properties in the Ruby and Beaverhead Valleys. We saw elk, deer, antelope and turkey during our 325 mile drive. We viewed the following fine offerings on a beautiful, crisp fall day in Montana:

Bryan, Chance, Joel, Frank, Leah, Bob, Michelle
and Sadie (dog) at the Flat Iron Ranch

Elser’s Homestead ~ Sheridan ~ $630,000 ~ #180073

280 +/- acres on south slope of Tobacco Roots, borders public land, excellent hunting, seasonal creek, remote yet only 7 miles to town

Listing Agent: Frank Colwell

Mill Creek Sanctuary ~ Sheridan ~ $724,000
41 +/- acres (2 tracts), Benedict Builders home, cabin, Mill Creek runs though, private yet close to town
Listing Agent: Michelle Van Dyke

Boken Ranch ~ Twin Bridges ~ $550,000 ~ #179718
123 +/- acres, wheel line irrigation, live water, great hay production, cross fenced, 3 wells, home, barn, shop, huge calving shed, corrals

Listing Agent: Michelle Van Dyke

Flat Iron Ranch ~ Dillon ~ $4,900,000 ~ #178982

2,804 +/- acres, Forest Service & BLM adjacent, 3,190 +/- sf log home, guest house, barn, historic cabin, trout pond, irrigated pasture

Listing Agent: Chance Bernall

Twin Bridges Round Barn

2011-11-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Originally constructed in 1884 by Noah Armstrong on his Dorncaster Ranch, around two miles north of Twin Bridges, Montana, this piece of history has been recently preserved to allow its preservation for many years to come. The ranch where the structure is located was purchased by Hamilton Ranches in the late 1990’s. Shortly after that, Allan Hamilton employed local handy man, Robert (Bobbie) Lancaster, to shore up and reroof the structure to assure its longevity.

Noah Armstrong, a mining entrepreneur, pharmacist and chemist from the Midwest, purchased what he named as Dorncaster Ranch, circa 1882. Spokane, the only Montana born horse to win the Kentucky Derby, was born on the Dorncaster Ranch and stabled in the Round Barn. Spokane won the Derby in 1889 and spent the remainder of his life on the Dorncaster Ranch. Also known by some as the “Spirit Horse” based on the lore of the Spokane Indian Nation, Spokane’s history is well told in Susan Nardinger’s book, Spirit Horse of the Rockies.

~Frank Colwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreaitonal Group

Montana Association of Land Trusts Conference in Missoula

2011-11-04T10:43:00.000-06:00

This past week some of the leading authorities on Conservation Easements in Montana got together for a seminar to bring clarity to truths and myths of Conservation Easements at the Montana Association of Land Trusts (MALT) Conference in Missoula. The meeting was held at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation building located on Grant Creek Road. What a wonderful venue to have the meeting. Several organizations were represented. Glenn Marx from the Montana Association of Land Trusts, Andrew Dana of Conservation Law Associates, Tim Lindstrom discussed tax aspects of Conservation Easements, Grant Kiew from Five Valleys Land Trusts and Clark Wheeler and Paraic Neiberg of Norman C. Wheeler and Associates who discussed the appraisal aspect of Conservation Easements.

One of the things they hit on was that these agreements are voluntary and flexible. The landowner has quite a bit of say in the structure and content of the agreement. Furthermore, flexibility should be built in to the easement so down the road courts will not have to get involved and break them. The process includes several meetings to see if the owner/land is a good fit for an easement. Many are not and those are sorted out early on, so not to waste the time of the land owner or the organizations. There can be substantial tax benefits to the landowner and his family. The landowner can be assured that his land will remain as open space except for the few build sites and exceptions they may build into the agreement to meet their family’s needs.

Conservation easments are purchased by both public and private entities. Fully donated conservation easements, with costs covered by the landowner, are flexible and can be completed in weeks or months. Fully purchased conservation easements, with no costs covered by the landowner, are complex with many parties involved, and can take months/years to complete.

Conservation easement organizations and landowners have common ground. They both seek to protect a natural resource. Soil/ag land, water, wildlife, scenic views and/or public access for recreation or education. Land trusts can play a crucial role in mediating between the landowner and funding entities during negotiation of terms. It definitely takes a team of professionals to put a conservation easements together and the land trusts in Montana hold themselves to a high professional standard and work in unity.

For more information on Conservation Easements go to the Montana Association of Land Trusts website.

~Holly Pippel, Sales Associate, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana's Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Project

2011-11-02T14:59:00.001-06:00

Montana's some 23,000 landowners own nearly 60 million acres of private land, much of it with excellent hunting. The only catch is gaining the landowner's permission to hunt. Montana law requires hunters to obtain landowner permission to hunt on all private property, regardless of whether the land is posted or not.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Project is an online tool that hunters can use to prepare for that inevitable meeting with those who own or manage properties they would like to hunt. It offers an interesting, interactive format and content that will help hunters and landowners rediscover shared concerns and common interests. Read more about the Project.

To participate in the FWP Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Project, go to fwp.mt.gov and click on the Education page for Hunters.

If you are interested in owning your own land for hunting, contact one of our experience Ranch Brokers.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Happy Halloween: The Haunted History of Bannack, Montana

2011-10-31T12:02:00.000-06:00

There is a long haunted history of Bannack, Montana. While this town is home to approximately 20 various types of buildings, there are certain buildings that seem to exhibit more ghostly tales than others. Below are some of the haunting tales that surround this little ghost town:

1. Individuals who have visited the Hotel Meade in Bannack, Montana have been said to encounter spiritual activity. In the time in which this hotel was operating consistently, it was used as a courthouse, and then turned into a hotel by John Mead. When this occurred, it was a highly sociable area. This was a grand location for locals and travelers alike. In many cases where medical treatment was needed, the Hotel Meade was used as a temporary medical facility, or hospital. As a result, it is not uncommon to see apparitions and other types of paranormal activity.

2. Dorothy Dunn is an individual that drowned in the creek near the town of Bannack, Montana. Many individuals feel as if her presence is still lingering about in the town. This spirit is mostly observed by children, but has also been seen by adults alike. There are many cases where this spirit is seen walking along the streets, or looking out one of the windows that are in one of the several buildings in this ghost town. Specifically, Hotel Meade.

3. There is a lady that appears to be quite older has been located looking out of windows on the second floor of the Hotel Meade. There is actually no set record as far as the identification of the lady, but she is known as a “regular” when it comes to the ghost town of Bannack, Montana.

4. Many have seen and heard children crying. It is actually unknown as to why this may occur. Many claim that they are like recordings of the past, while others believe that they are quite real. Regardless, this is a very intense situation for those that are subjected to it – whether it is a real haunting or simply a residual recording.

5. Many visitors to this ghost town have claimed that they have experienced areas that were extremely cold for no particular reason at all. This has proven to be quite uncomfortable for the individuals that experience it. Goose bumps, the hair standing on edge and similar physiological responses have occurred as a direct result of the hauntings in Bannack, Montana that result in the development of cold spots.

Source: A Ghost Town with Real Ghosts

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Keep Your Place in Montana History

2011-10-28T10:56:00.000-06:00

The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) is reminding brand owners that all Montana brands must be rerecorded by December 31, 2011. The state is reporting that so far this year, only 58% of brand owners have done so.

Every 10 years, the Montana Department of Livestock works with livestock owners to rerecord brands the almost 55,000 registered Montana Brands. It's important, as brands are a return address for livestock – brands help prevent loss and theft of livestock, and help quickly resolve cases that do occur. Additionally, brands are possessions, and often have a family and historic value that far exceeds the cost of registering or renewing a brand.

Rerecord.mt.gov is fast and easy, and can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Brand owners can also rerecord brands via U.S postal mail, or in person at the department’s headquarters in Helena.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Ag Appreciation Weekend

2011-10-26T09:39:00.002-06:00

The MSU College of Agriculture is hosting the thirteenth annual Ag Appreciation Weekend on October 28-29, 2011.

Events will include an agriculture outlook seminar, MSU Ag Fair, hot topic presentations, social, pregame breakfast, and recognition of the 2011 Outstanding Ag Leaders, Diana Alkire, Dan Lake, and Richard Owen. Join them Saturday for Bobcat Football vs. Idaho State University.

See the full Schedule of Events.

See you there!

~Leah Olson, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group, Accredited Land Consultant and proud MSU College of Agriculture Alum ~ GO CATS!

Fall Activities Abound in Twin Bridges

2011-10-24T16:42:00.000-06:00

Seems like Fall brings out the best in small rural towns. Twin Bridges, Montana is all dressed up with Fall decorations on Main Street. Every year a group of dedicated Main Street merchants head to the corn fields to gather cornstalks to decorate the light poles the entire length of Main Street. With scarecrows, sunflowers, and pumpkins, they bring life to small town living and welcome the hunters and football fans which come with the season.

The Twin Bridges Falcons are on a roll to a second banner year in the football ranks, and just completed a win against Absarokee for their Class C District Championship. They will be playing this next weekend in the first round of Divisional Championships against White Sulphur Springs. As always Class C fans show up in droves to support their beloved sports teams. The firetruck parade can be seen on Main Street with a sea of Red and Black clad fans cheering them on to victory.

Rifle hunting season started a flurry of fluorescent orange and camo gear to the area as hunters flocked to the mountains and rural Montana sports “No Vacancy” in the little motels along the trail. Hunting and fishing are huge industries to our area and we thank those who help bring some commerce to small town America.

The bawl of calves, freshly weaned from their mother’s side, will keep the rural population awake and ranchers will feel like kings for a few days before they pack the proceeds to the bank to pay off a year of expenses. Pay day for a rancher comes but once a year and this looks like a good one for a change.

~Michelle Van Dyke, Broker, ALC, GRI, SRS, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Local Develops GPS Hunting System

2011-10-21T07:00:00.003-06:00

This weekend, October 22, marks the Opening Day of the Montana General Hunting Season. Montana hunters enjoy the time honored tradition of hunting on thousands of acres of public lands. Many hunters are also granted permission to hunt game on private land. Either way, it is always good to know where you are at all times.

GPS navigation hunting maps have been available to hunters for the past year or so. The system created by Eric Siegfried of Missoula, could help you stay within the property lines of the land you had permission to hunt and stay off of land you did not have permission to be on, even if that land was not clearly posted.

Recently, a hunter was hunting on Bureau of Land Management property and "test walking" a Garmin GPS unit to see how well the land information worked. He found that the public lands overlay was a great tool for reaching isolated sections of state land, some of which are accessible through narrow strips of BLM land. Read more in the Missoulian.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Trends in Increasing Farmland Values

2011-10-19T07:00:00.002-06:00

Choices Magazine, the magazine of food, farm and issues, recently featured an interesting article, "The Current Situation on Farmland Values and Ownership", by Michael McDuffy. The article highlights recent trends in farmland sales, reasons for the increase in values, who is buying farmland and current ownership of farmland.

Farmland values are increasing at rates not seen since the 1970s. Read on....

Contact one of our experienced ranch Brokers if you are considering an investment or sale of Montana farmland.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Small Towns Have Big Impact

2011-10-17T10:11:00.000-06:00

Montanan State University recently published an interesting feature, spotlighting several small town students and the impact they have on our state's future. Montana prides itself in raising citizens known for their sense of community and hard work ethic. This article exemplifies this pride:

From the time that Montana State first began more than a century ago, students from small towns have been at the heart of its student body. And, still it is so.

Last school year (2010-11) 5,025 MSU undergraduates identified that they graduated from Montana high schools, according to MSU's Office of Planning and Analysis. Of those, 1,001 students, or about one-fifth, identified that they graduated from a Montana high school with 50 or fewer graduates. Half of those, or 511 students, said they were in a graduating class with 25 or fewer graduates.

Rooted in the remote corners of Montana or the tiny towns between them, the road that brought these students to Bozeman carried them far from home and a long way from the familiar.

Read their unique stories in the feature, Heart of Montana, by Evelyn Boswell.

Contact one of our Montana Brokers to find your home in one of our beautiful small town communities.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Autumn: The Season of Harvest

2011-10-14T10:20:00.001-06:00

"This precious annual harvest of untold bounty from God’s miraculous creation of sustainable yield productivity is appreciated by no one more than by the hunters, fishers, trappers, farmers and ranchers of America." ~Ted Nugent

Ever since childhood I have always looked forward to the fall season. There is something magical about golden leaves, wood smoke in the air, spawning brown trout and most of all hunting season.

As portrayed above, fall is the natural season of harvest. It is a time to remove the excess from our God given resources. We do this so that we not only can survive but to make for a better environment for what we leave behind.

In my world this season begins on Labor Day weekend with the start of archery season. (See Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for state seasons and regulations.) For me it is a time to get away, decompress and hopefully put some meat in the freezer. I am not about to tell you that I hunt solely for meat as I could normally have purchased a small group of farm animals for what my hunting expenses are. However, for most hunters, it is about the experience, and a for a moment slip into the shoes of those who came before us.

In my opinion there is no better place to celebrate this season than in Southwest Montana. With an abundance of public land and over-the-counter license opportunities, this part of our great state is open to whoever wishes to put forth the time and effort.

In addition to public land hunting there is also many well priced offerings that can be found our website. Buying your own private property offers the prospective buyer an opportunity to invest in their own hunting sanctuary. This investment not only provides a potentially rewarding investment but a place to build memories. Our inventory includes an array of offerings ranging from properties suited for fishing and birds to big game properties as well.

We wish all of our clients a safe and happy fall season and we look forward to serving your real estate needs.

~Chance Bernall, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Southwest Montana 2011 Land Sales

2011-10-12T11:24:00.000-06:00

View the recent Land Sales Stastics from the Southwest Montana Multiple Listing Service.

The sales data is listed by county/area and divided into two categories, Building Lots Under 1 Acre and Vacant Land 1 Acre and Larger.

Click on the links to view the Land Sales Market Statistics from January 1 thru September 15, 2011:

Contact on of Ranch & Recreational Group Brokers for more details.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Receiving Sale Proceeds

2011-10-10T12:05:00.000-06:00

When selling property, there are four ways to receive the proceeds:

Cashing out
1031 Exchange
Owner Financing
Installment Sale

This LandThink article will inform you to the advantages to each.

~Michelle Van Dyke, Broker, ALC, GRI, RRS, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Kids Featured in new Hunting Program

2011-10-07T10:53:00.000-06:00

The Sportsman's Channel premiered their new series this week, Beau Knows the Outdoors. Starring, Beau Turner, respected hunter, conservationist and son of media tycoon Ted Turner. The series will follow Beau on his outdoors adventures while he focuses on his number one passion, involving our youth in the outdoor experience.

A group of Gallatin Gateway, Montana kids were invited to film some outdoor footage with Beau on his family's local, Flying D Ranch. The kids had a great time on the ranch with Beau as their guide. They also enjoyed learning the behind the scenes action of a putting together a television program. Keep an eye out for show this fall.

Check out our inventory of premium Hunting Properties for sale. Happy Hunting!

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

The Great Pumpkin ~ Montana's Record-Setting Squash

2011-10-05T17:06:00.000-06:00

Emmett May of Polson, Montana, grew this 893 pound pumpkin from seed. This "great pumpkin" smashed the previous state record by 111 pounds. The pumpkin was on display at the University of Montana during their homecoming last weekend. Read more in the Missoulian.

~Ranch & Recreational Group, Prudential Montana Real Estate

Young Ag Leadership Conference Starts This Week

2011-10-03T12:27:00.000-06:00

The Young Ag Leadership Conference (YALC) is set to take place October 7th – 9th at the Yogo Inn in Lewistown, Montana. The YALC is a collaborative effort between nine of Montana’s agricultural organizations, offering attendees a chance to discus current ag issues, take part in various workshops, meet with industry leaders and network with fellow young people who live Montana agriculture. The conference offers young leaders a chance to network with their peers and gather new insight on improving and promoting agriculture in Montana. Workshops in include marketing and finance issues, emerging technologies and leadership development.

Anyone ages 18-40 and interested or involved in any facet of agriculture is encouraged to attend. Registration will open at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 7th and then dinner and a poker run will kick off the weekend’s festivities.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

2011 Montana Water Conference

2011-09-30T10:08:00.000-06:00

The 2011 Montana Water Conference, organized by Montana Section ~ American Water Resources Association and the Montana Water Center, will be in Great Falls, MT, October 6-7. Highlights include a field trip to the Belt Creek Area acid mine drainage remediation and an aerial photography presentation of the 2011 Flooding in Montana.

2011 Flooding of the Musselshell River

Keynote speaker, Gina Loss, Senior Service Hydrologist from the National Weather Service in Great Falls will speak about the extent of this spring’s precipitation and flooding. As well as, Wayne Nelson, from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, discussing work being done to mitigate losses of aquatic and terrestrial habitat, and to restore the Missouri River ecosystem.

Click here for more details on the 2011 conference, titled Montana’s Water Resources: Adapting the Changes in Supply and Demand. The Montana Section of the AWRA was founded in 1984 and currently consists of over 100 professionals and students that share the common goal of promoting water resources research, planning, development and education in Montana. To accomplish these goals, the AWRA hosts an annual meeting each year to provide a common meeting ground for physical, biological, social scientists, engineers and other persons concerned with water resources.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Wrangler Charges Grizzly, Saving Boy in Flathead

2011-09-28T15:37:00.002-06:00

Erin Bolster of Swan Mountain Outfitters was guiding eight clients on a routine, hour-long horse ride on the Flathead National Forest between West Glacier and Hungry Horse, MT, when she came around a corner and her horse would not move. A white-tailed deer then burst out of the brush followed by a 700 - 750 pound grizzly bear crashing through the bushes. All seven of the horses ran back towards the trailhead, all but one, the one with the eight-year-old boy on it.... Read on in the Missoulian.

~Dan Reddick, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

America's Top 10 Largest Land Owner's

2011-09-26T10:41:00.000-06:00

Forbes Magazine recently featured America's Top Ten Largest Land Owners. While some billionaires acquire land as a hobby, these investors consider it serious business. The majority of the land mentioned is used for production and conservation purposes.

Billionaire conservationist, Ted Turner, tops the lists with two million acres in New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Florida and several other states. Turner made his money with CNN and lost much of it by selling out to AOL Time Warner. Land has worked out better for him. Forbes estimates his holdings to be worth at least $1 billion. His holdings include the 113,000 acre Flying D Ranch in southwest Montana. Turner gave all the development rights of the ranch to the nonprofit Nature Conservancy when he bought the property in 1989 for $21 million. This ranch will always be open space, on the boundaries of the rapidly developing communities in the Gallatin Valley.

Check out a slide show of the Top Ten Land Owner's In Pictures.

The Ranch & Recreational Group offers a wide variety of land listings suitable to growing your investment portfolio.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Hydroponic Forage

2011-09-23T10:07:00.000-06:00

Growing forage in a greenhouse might seem like an expensive way to feed cattle or other livestock, but in certain situations it could prove very beneficial. For instance, in drought conditions, cold climates or when grazing land is expensive, it could provide producers with an excellent source of forage. CropKing, based in Ohio, is touting the new environmentally friendly feed and production systems.

Cattle are able to eat the whole thing, sprout mat and all. The feed source is said to be higher in protein, increase milk yields and performance. Utilizing a controlled environment and recirculating nutrient system, the process grows premium quality fodder in just seven days, all year long. The crops are easily grown to meet organic requirements. The most interesting feature, no soil is needed. Read on in the Prairie Star.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Angus Tour

2011-09-21T11:08:00.000-06:00

Mark your calendars for the annual 2011 Montana Angus Tour, September 21st – 23rd. Montana’s Annual Angus Tour heads to the high-line for three days of great times, good friends and quality Angus cattle. Hosted by the North Central Montana Angus Association and headquartered in Havre, this year’s tour includes a golf scramble, guided tours of MSU‐Northern’s Experiment Station and visits to area Angus operations.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Tom Noffsinger, will address low-stress livestock handling and the positive effects it has on cattle. Paul Dykstra, Beef Cattle Specialist from Certified Angus Beef LLC, will discuss cattle markets and the CAB Feedlot Licensing Program.

Contact one of our experience Ranch & Recreational Group Brokers to help find ranchland for your Montana Angus herd.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Free Webinars from Ranching for Profit School

2011-09-19T11:01:00.000-06:00

Ranch Management Consultants, Inc. presents a FREE one hour webinar each month. These interactive programs share principles taught at the Ranching For Profit School. A recording of the latest webinar will be available to view on their website for a month following each live broadcast.

This month's featured free webinars:

Cell Grazing: What, Why & How
Hard Work & Harmony

Ranching for Profit Schools are offered throughout the year by Ranch Management Consultants, Inc.. The programs integrate proven livestock production principles with economic, financial and business principles. Topics include economics, finance, personal and team effectiveness, succession planning, ecology, soil health, grazing management, drought, risk management, reproduction and nutrition. Participants learn how to create an effective team with everyone working toward the same goals and objective standards to measure your progress. Critical communication, analytical and planning skills are also the focus of the school.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Mint Bar & Cafe Hosts the Montana Cattle Crawl

2011-09-16T10:58:00.000-06:00

Recently the Mint Bar & Cafe in Belgrade, Montana, was one of three restaurants to host to the 5th Annual Montana Cattle Crawl, which was a progressive dinner held by the Montana Stockgrowers Association and sponsored by the Beef Checkoff Program. The purpose of the event was to promote beef to urban and rural parties by utilizing beef in unique applications. The Mint created the main course, which consisted of a cast iron seared New York steak and a sweet braised New York steak with pureed parsnips, roasted cauliflower and fennel. The Mint's owner, Jay Bentley, and Broker with Prudential Montana Real Estate's Ranch & Recreational Group, said how grateful he is to have such great beef being produced in Montana and thanked ranchers for all they do. So if you are looking for a delicious meal made from Montana raised beef, check out the Mint Bar & Cafe.

Bear Creek Pig Races Fund Scholarships

2011-09-15T10:40:00.000-06:00

Just over the hill from Red Lodge is the Bear Creek Saloon & Steakhouse, a restaurant in the small town of Bear Creek, Montana. The establishment has become a local attraction for its entertaining nightly Pig Races. The pig races are the main attraction at the Bear Creek Saloon and are a local fundraiser for kids!

The pig racetrack is a short oval that is surrounding a golden statue of a pig, set up like a "minor league stadium". The pigs start in a gate much like horse racing, and each race starts with the playing of "The Call to the Post" over a loudspeaker. The pigs race around the track to a trough full of vegetables. There are a total of 12 races each night, one every 15 minutes, and each race has five pigs racing. The pigs are donated by the local 4-H club.

The winning pig pays out one-half of each $50 race pot. The other half goes toward scholarships for Carbon County high school students! Year-to-date the fundraiser boast over $80,000 in scholarship money raised. Very cool!

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

The Land Rush

2011-09-12T10:55:00.000-06:00

Realtor Magazine, a business tool for real estate professionals, recently featured an article weighing in on the opportunities of investing in farmland. Fueled by high ag commodity prices and impressive returns, there is a relative scarcity of land for sale across the United States. In some areas the strength of farmland prices is even pulling some undeveloped transitional land back into farm production. Total returns for farmland were 2.4 percent in the first quarter of 2011, according to the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries Farmland Index.

Recreational land is also following suit. The trend is recreational land is multi-use, including ag production, timber and habitat developement. Read more in the article, Farm Land Rush.

Our Ranch & Recreational Group Brokers have a wide variety of expertise in Montana's agricultural communities. Contact us today to find your next investment in Montana land.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Bale Trail starts Sunday

2011-09-09T12:02:00.001-06:00

The year 2011 marks the 22nd consecutive Montana Bale Trail, formerly called "What the Hay," that displays amazing hay bale art. Started as a good-natured "spoof" between two neighboring ranchers, this event has now become a nationally recognized celebration and in 2003 was named as Montana's Tourist Event of the Year.

The Montana Bale Trail contest begins Sunday, September 11, 2011. The Bale Trail is a 21 mile long loop of State Highways 239 and 541 just south of U.S. Highway 87. The eastern entrance to the loop begins at Hobson, the western end is at Windham, with Utica (home of the famous Oxen Yoke Inn) located directly in the middle.

Montana Bale Trail is a fun community event the whole family will enjoy. You will spend the day viewing creative hay bale sculptures and touring the small towns of Hobson, Utica and Windham. The three communities combined boast a wide array of dining and social opportunities including a fair, crafts, book sale and museum events.

Contact one of our Ranch & Recreational Group Brokers to help find available real estate in the beautiful rural Montana communities of the Judith Basin.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Prudential Montana Real Estate Paying it Forward

2011-09-07T12:25:00.000-06:00

Frank Colwell at the Madison County Fairgrounds

Prudential Montana Real Estate Brokers and Sales Associates all over Montana are giving back to the communities they live in by supporting local events with both monetary and volunteer donations. Frank Colwell, Managing Broker for the Twin Bridges and Sheridan offices, recently supported our local youth by purchasing a market hog at the Madison County Fair. For the majority of these 4-H and FFA members, these animals become a savings account for their future education. There is no better way to give back to your clients and community, than supporting their sons, daughters or relatives by purchasing one of their animals at your county fairs. Don’t ever miss a chance to give back, even if it is through volunteer work.

Volunteering for the highway cleanup is just another way to show pride in your community. The Twin Bridges and Sheridan offices will join forces on September 12th with their agents and employees scouring the barrow pits for any trash along Highway 287 southeast of Twin Bridges. If you want to be part of the effort to adopt a section of the highways in your community, contact the State Highway Department and they will set you up with the safety signs, bags and instructions to make a difference.

~Michelle Van Dyke, Broker, ALC, GRI, SRS, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Get Lost in Montana this Weekend

2011-09-02T07:00:00.001-06:00

What are your plans for the long weekend? Why don't you take a Montana Road Trip and go where the locals go.

The Get Lost MT website gives you insider tips on all the wonderful things to see and do in our great state. The site boasts that is the "Insider's Guide to Montana", where you can find and share your favorite places. The site shares weekend road trips, favorite local eateries and includes a Montana bucket list of things to do.

Want to become a local in your favorite Montana community? Contact one our Ranch & Recreational Group Brokers to help you locate your own favorite spot.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Why are Barns Painted Red?

2011-08-31T07:00:00.002-06:00

Barn near Absarokee, Montana ~ Leah Olson

So, why are barns painted red and not another color? According to the Farmer's Almanac: Red is (or, perhaps, was) a popular color for barns due not to its color shade but for its usefulness.

Centuries ago, choices for paints, sealers and other building materials did not exist. European farmers had to be resourceful in finding or making a paint that would protect and seal the wood on their barns. Farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil, which is an orange-colored oil derived from the seeds of the flax plant. To this oil they would add a variety of things, most often milk and lime, but also ferrous oxide or rust. Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed wood and crop-damaging fungi and mosses that might grow on barns. They collected iron oxide, lime and oil from hemp seed. Then mixed it in a large container with the results of a color red.

Some farmers mixed their barns paint with animal blood from their hunt. Iron oxide is used to kill fungi that are pests to plants and crops of farmers and it also produce red color in its chemical reactions. The resulting paint mixture dried and quickly hardened, thus preserving the wood. It is said that the red color absorbs the sun's rays, keeping animals warm during winters.

Red became fashionable and the ready-made redder paint was cheap. When paint colors became more readily available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition. However "Barn Red" is not the bright, fire-engine red that we often see today, but more of a burnt-orange red.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Prudential Montana Real Estate's own Karen Fossen published in Montana Historian magazine

2011-08-29T12:17:00.000-06:00

Iceberg Lake ~ Glacier National Park ~ Karen E. Fossen

Karen Fossen has been a member of the Prudential Montana Real Estate team as its Marketing Manager for nearly nine years. Karen also assists as a director of the Ranch & Recreational Group for Prudential Montana Real Estate. A Montana native from the Billings area, Karen now lives in Bozeman. One of Karen’s passions is Glacier National Park, where she has worked and recreated extensively. Karen recently documented her love and knowledge of Glacier National Park in her published article, “The Crown of the Continent: The History of Glacier National Park” in Issue 3 of the Montana Historian magazine, recently released. In this article, with numerous featured photos taken by Karen, she provides an excellent recap of the Park’s history from its early Native American habitation to present. The text and photography definitely is alluring and informative coupled with an accurate chronology of the Park’s history. We are most fortunate to have someone as talented, capable and creative as Karen Fossen being associated with Prudential Montana Real Estate and the Ranch & Recreational Group. Please feel free to stop by one of our offices to pick up your copy of the publication.

~Frank Colwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Joys of Living in the Gallatin Valley

2011-08-26T11:50:00.001-06:00

Rat Lake in Gallatin National Forest

One of the joys of living in the Gallatin Valley is recreating in the millions of acres of Gallatin National Forest land. The close proximity offers the convenience of spending time in the mountains within minutes of town.

This past weekend we packed up for an impromptu weekend camp out on Squaw Creek, just a short, scenic drive up Gallatin Canyon. We took adventurous day trips to Rat and Pioneer Lakes. Finishing our days with quiet evenings on a scenic overlook and fireside nights under the expansive star-filled sky. A great weekend full of fresh air and mountain scenery.

Find out more about exploring Gallatin National Forest. Then contact one our Ranch & Recreational Group Broker's to find your own haven in the woods.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

2011 USDA Farm Land Values Summary Highlights

2011-08-24T07:00:00.003-06:00

On August 4, 2011 the United States Department of Agriculture released its Land Values 2011 Summary. The survey shows Montana Farm Real Estate Value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $710 per acre for 2011, up 1.4 percent from 2010. While the national average for Farm Real Estate Value across the U.S. averaged $2,350 per acre for 2011, up 6.8 percent from 2010.

Montana cropland values increased 3.6 percent to $810 per acre. While there was no change in Montana pasture values from last year, the United States pasture value increased to $1,100 per acre or 1.9 percent above 2010.

View the full 2011 USDA Land Values Summary.

Contact one of our experienced Ranch and Recreational Group Brokers for information on Montana's regional markets.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Link Between Montana & Peru

2011-08-22T16:26:00.000-06:00

Montanans who want to know what to expect from the weather should look to the Pacific Ocean in the fall or maybe find a way to chat with some Peruvian fishermen, according to Joseph Caprio, professor emeritus in Montana State University's Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences and former Montana state climatologist.

The MSU researcher has analyzed 100 years of data has found a significant link between ex-treme Montana weather and the ocean temperatures near Peru. Read on in The Prairie Star....

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

FSA Start Up Farm & Ranch Financing

2011-08-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides direct and guaranteed loans to beginning farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Each fiscal year, the Agency targets a portion of its direct and guaranteed farm ownership (FO) and operating loan (OL) funds to beginning farmers and ranchers. For more information about loans for beginning farmers and ranchers, click here.

Further information and applications for the loan programs described are available at local FSA county offices listed in the phone directory under U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency. To locate your local FSA Office, click here. Then contact one of our experience land Brokers to help identify a suitable property to start your successful adventure in agriculture.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Our Rural Diversities: The Atlas of Rural & Small Town America

2011-08-17T07:00:00.002-06:00

The Atlas of Rural & Small Town America is an informational website to learn about our country's rural people, jobs and agriculture. It offers a view of the diversity of challenges and opportunities across America's counties, with different types of rural regions and communities. The site data is provided in collaboration with USDA agencies and the Economic Research Service to provide rural residents and community and business leaders with the knowledge and skills to help their communities thrive in the global economy. The website offers and interactive map to click on counties for a quick view of demographics.

Check out the current real estate inventory in Montana's beautiful rural communities at our website: www.RanchMT.com

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Historical Roadside Markers, First of their Kind

2011-08-15T07:00:00.003-06:00

When driving the approximate 1,200 miles of road in Montana, you can't help but notice many "Historic Point" markers. There are over two hundred roadside markers scattered across the state recounting Montana's colorful history. The convenient pull-outs offer the traveler a rest and an educational summary of local buffalo jumps, gold strikes, mining disasters, famous battles, dinosaurs, epidemics, irrigation projects, railroads, wagon roads, and wilderness areas (to name a few).

The Montana Historical Roadside Markers were the first of their kind in the U.S. A clever man, who worked across the state as a surveyor, learned the area folklore from local residents. A natural born storyteller, Bob Fletcher, wrote the short historical stories in the dialect of the locals. He convinced the Highway Department to design and place the interpretive signs across the state as part of Roosevelt's "stimulus package" of the depression era. Fletcher also receives credit for helping to establish many state owned historical locations such as museums and state parks, like the Indian Pictograph Caves near Billings. He also wrote the popular Roy Rogers' song, "Don't Fence Me In".

The highway department continues Fletcher's legacy and places new historical markers up each year. The vintage wood signs have been replaced or restored with weather resistant styles. While the stories have been edited to be more "politically correct", they still tell the stories of Montana for anyone who stops to read them.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Eateries Recognized for Serving Local Food

2011-08-12T07:00:00.002-06:00

Western Sustainability Exchange has been working across Montana to to link Montana products with Montana restaurants in their Farm To Restaurant Connection program. This program publicizes the story behind the people, products and services involving local food in the area. They are working to increase the visibility of local producers that use sustainable agricultural techniques and the business establishments that carry their products. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle recently featured the Nova Cafe and their use of tasty and nutritious local food.

The WSE announced the 2011 recipients of their Certificate of Sustainability! These food service businesses have documented and verified their use of sustainable foods, energy and waste reduction, fair working conditions, and support of area non-profits:

2nd Street Bistro, Livingston
Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen & Wine Bar, Red Lodge
Cafe Regis, Red Lodge
Chico Hot Springs, Pray
Good Earth Market Deli, Billings
Livingston Health Care Cafeteria, Livingston
The Nova Cafe, Bozeman
Paradise Valley Grill, Livingston
University of Montana Dining Services, Missoula

Interested in raising your own food? Contact one of our experienced Brokers to locate your own productive Montana land.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Twin Bridges Bike Camp

2011-08-10T12:32:00.000-06:00

Located on the west bank of the Beaverhead River in the town of Twin Bridges is a park know as Jessen Park. A “Bike Camp”, completed in 2008, has received abundant applause from the many bicyclists that journey across Montana during the summer months.

Twin Bridges, Montana is at the intersection of State Highways 41 and 287, both heavily used by bicyclists. The “Twin Bridges Bike Camp” was spearheaded by local resident Bill White with limited financial and other assistance. The Camp offers cross-country cyclists a place to catch their breath, clean up, recharge and resupply as they journey across Montana. The Camp offers shower, sink, toilet, screened in camping and storage area and electrical outlets to recharge batteries, phones, cameras, etc.

Presently, the Camp is maintained by the town of Twin Bridges with local volunteer assistance. Twin Bridges is located along the banks of the Ruby and Beaverhead Rivers as they travel past to join the Big Hole River downstream. Lewis and Clark spent considerable time in this area as they sought their path to the west coast of America. Rich in history, this area is also world renown as a Blue Ribbon trout fly fishing destination. This video displays a common experience from one cyclist’s stay at the Camp:

~Frank Colwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Change on the Prairie

2011-08-08T14:49:00.001-06:00

Recently the Billings Gazette featured an article on "Holistic Grazing" on the Cinch Buckle Ranch and Grasslands, LLC. The Grasslands idea is to intensively graze grasslands and then quickly move the cattle onto a different parcel, much like native animals did for centuries as they migrated.

While rotational grazing has been around for a long time, Grasslands stresses their difference is the timing. Cattle are moved onto fresh graze more often, allowing forage to be chewed back only once. Then the cattle are moved and the grasses are allowed to fully regenerate before the cattle are allowed back. The method involves stringing and unstringing large rolls of electrical fencing to keep cattle on smaller portions of the 39,000-acre ranch. Animal waste acts as a fertilizer, and their hooves aerate the soil.

Read more in the Billings Gazette.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Robb Report Magazine Features Missoula, MT

2011-08-05T08:53:00.000-06:00

Recently, the Robb Report's Exceptional Properties featured an article, "Reasons to Have a Home in Missoula, Montana". The article highlights all the cultural and geographical amenities of the area that make it such a unique place to live. It also outlines the demographics, weather and real estate markets that make it attractive to year-round and seasonal residents alike. Read on in the Robb Report's Exceptional Properties.

Montana is a great place, living up to it's catch phrases — ‘Big Sky Country,’ ‘Fly Fishing Paradise,’ ‘The Last Best Place'. Contact one our experienced Brokers to find your "Last Best Ranch or Recreational Property".

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Rural Living in Montana Information Center

2011-08-03T07:00:00.001-06:00

As more people make Montana their home, traditional ranches are being divided into smaller acreage lots that include a place for a home and, many times, an opportunity to raise some type of livestock. Many small acreage landowners would like to have green pastures to raise horses, calves or sheep. This website provides the education and guidance owners need to successfully maintain a healthy eco-system.

The Rural Living in Montana website is designed to assist Montana landowners with information and education on the natural resource issues that face owners of smaller sized parcels. This agency has been in existence for nearly 100 years. The original purpose of the nationwide agency was to educate farmers and ranchers about the new research available by land grant universities in the United States. The information contained within this site has been designed to assist landowners with all types of information on livestock, natural resources, construction and pests.

If you are new to Montana or new to rural landownership you need to become acquainted with the agencies that can assist you with answers to questions on living in rural Montana.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Jackson's Garden, Inc ~ Sheridan, Montana

2011-08-01T11:29:00.002-06:00

Located off Mill Creek Road, approximately two miles from the town of Sheridan in Madison County, Montana, Jackson’s Garden, Inc. is an established and growing, community based agricultural phenomenon. Not your typical gardening operation, Jackson’s Garden has been developed by its group of hard working volunteers to become a center for education, sharing, heritage preservation and outdoor community center available for community and private events, weddings and other gatherings. Spearheaded by local born and raised, Janet Marsh Schwend, Jackson’s Garden is an evolving project with ample enthusiasm from its volunteer staff and the Ruby Valley community. The site is lush with trees, flowers and garden plots and a very enjoyable and serene setting along Mill Creek.

A private non-profit, membership based community garden, Jackson's Garden's mission is to promote gardening for production, education and enjoyment of our community. It is carried out by dedicated and passionate volunteers who believe that access good food and the enjoyment of our natural world are the inherent rights of all people in our community. Donated in 2010 by Les "Bing" Jackson, the 8.5 acre garden features 2 acres of developed flower and vegetable gardens, a half mile of undisturbed streamside habitat, a small apple orchard, greenhouse, gazebo and a lawn area perfect for picnics and community events - all maintained by members and volunteers.

The education program at Jackson’s Garden is inspired by Les and Betty Jackson, benefactors who developed the property as a beautiful and productive garden and then contributed it to the non-profit organization as a resource for the community. Both life long residents of Sheridan and school teachers, Les and Betty worked tirelessly to enrich the lives of their students as well as the community. As a home economics and biology teacher Betty inspired students with her love of living things and taught practical skills to support living well. Les taught 7th grade for 26 years in addition to coaching countless junior high and little league teams.

The education program at Jackson's Garden has three parts.

1. Education for kids:

Develop environmental awareness through hands on connection to living things.
Educate students about food, both where it comes from and it’s nutritional value.
Provide opportunity for physical work and participation in a community activity.

2. Education for local gardeners:

Support sustainable production of local food by fostering individual gardeners with inspiration and education.
Managing and developing the Jackson’s Garden property as a demonstration of sustainable locally appropriate growing methods.
Address food security issues by supporting individuals and families in growing their own food.

3. Education regarding nutrition, cooking and food preservation:

Support living well by providing instruction on cooking and preserving whole foods.
Support consumption of local foods by teaching cooking of whole foods.
Raise awareness in the community of good nutrition.

~Frank Colwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Record Listing Prices Hit $100 Million

2011-07-29T12:07:00.003-06:00

Rock Creek property in the Paradise Valley

Recently, a 1,750-acre ranch in Jackson Hole, WY, owned by a Florida Casino and resort developer, hit the market at $175 million. The asking price is believed to be the highest for a ranch in the U.S. If you are looking for something a little cheaper, the neighboring 1,848-acre cattle ranch can be yours for just $100 million. Read on in the Wall Street Journal.

Love the views and amenities of Jackson, but looking for value? Check out Southwest Montana where you get prime acreage, blue ribbon trout streams and snow capped peaks for more bang for your buck! Our experienced ranch Brokers are ready to help you located the property that will carry on your ranching legacy.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate,

Ranch & Recreational Group

Haying Season in High Gear

2011-07-27T16:30:00.000-06:00

Farmers are putting in long days to get their first crop of hay in for 2011. A cool, late spring has delayed the start of the season by about ten days, but harvests appear bountiful. Like wheat prices, hay prices have also recently increased dramatically. But experts say the high prices are a mixed bag for Montana agriculture. You can check out up to date production and pricing stats at the Weekly Hay Report, written by James M. Ward, by USDA Market News Service, Billings, Montana.

The Montana Department of Agriculture also offers the Hay Hotline. They offer this list as a service to the agricultural industry and particularly to those with hay for sale, hay wanted, pasture available and pasture wanted.

Contact one of our experience land Brokers to look at one our awesome hay producing properties for sale.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

10 Biggest Properties For Sale

2011-07-25T07:00:00.001-06:00

MSN.com has featured ten of the largest properties for sale in the U.S. with a slide show of stunning photographs. The largest chunks of land for sale in the U.S. range from 24 square miles to 260 square miles. Two of these properties are in Montana.

Please contact one of our experienced land Brokers to help you find of one these properties or other properties for sale in Montana, the Big Sky State.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

"A Boot Scootin' Good Time"

2011-07-22T07:00:00.007-06:00

Proud Sponsors of the Gallatin County Fair

2011-07-20T06:00:00.002-06:00

Joe Olson with one of this year's 4-H projects

It's fair time again and the Gallatin County Fair is "A Boot Scootin' Good Time", July 20-24, 2011. Prudential Montana Real Estate's Ranch & Recreational Group is proud to be a sponsor of the fair this year. In addition the Reddick and Olson kids are exhibiters and showmen at the Fair with their 4-H Livestock Projects. Stop by the livestock barns and they'll show you around.

4-H is a national educational program administered in Montana through the Montana State Univsersity Extension Service that serves 500+ Gallatin County members learn through individual, club and countywide activities. In the market livestock projects the 4-H member learns how to evaluate and select livestock, proper care and nutrition, marketing skills and all aspects involved in producing a quality market animal. Many members also are enrolled in an animal-breeding project. Principles of humane treatment for animals are stressed, and members learn how to train and handle their animals safely. The livestock show and judging during the County Fair provides a comprehensive evaluation of what they have learned throughout the year. Projects in market swine, beef and lamb offer carcass evaluations, further educating members in market animal production.

At every level 4-H members are expected to make decisions and set goals, thereby developing life skills that assist them in becoming competent, contributing adult members of society. 4-H members are learning skills to become industry leaders.

Plan to attend the Buyer's Appreciation Barbeque Friday evening 4:30 at the indoor arena. The exciting Market Animal Sale starts at 6:00. We hope to see you at the Fair!

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Best U.S. Job: Become a Farmer

2011-07-18T11:24:00.001-06:00

The "business of growing has once again become a growth business." This Time Magazine article highlights investing expert Jim Roger's advice: "Become a farmer to make more than a banker." He argues, "The world has got a serious food problem. The only real way to solve it is to draw more people back to agriculture." Read more in the Time Magazine article.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Montana Census Results: 3rd Lowest Population in the Country

2011-07-15T09:23:00.000-06:00

Montana’s population density increased slightly over the decade, but it’s still third lowest in the country. The population density here in 2010 was 6.73 people per square mile, while it was 6.14 in the 2000 census. Montana is the 4th largest state in the country. This new information from the 2010 census was released this week.

In terms of housing, the census reported that Montana saw a large increase in recreational homes. There were 38,510 reported in 2010, up from 24,213 a decade earlier. Montana Revenue Department property tax records show that seasonal housing here tops 40,000, which puts Montana among the top states in the country in the percentage of its total homes that are recreational property.

As the April 2010 census data showed earlier this year, Montana’s total population was at 989,415. While the state has over 2,500,000 total head of cattle.

Read more in the article in the Billings Gazette.

Recent stats prove it, Montana is a great place to obtain some elbow room! Call one of our experienced Brokers to help you find your ranch or recreational haven.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group

Holding Back the Missouri ~ Fort Peck Dam

2011-07-13T10:43:00.000-06:00

Nearly a mile wide at the base and four miles long, the compacted dirt behemoth is the second-largest dam in the United States. Everything about Fort Peck Dam and reservoir is massive. Backed up behind the earthen structure, when the water level is at 2,250 feet elevation, is 18.6 million acre-feet of water. This year, the dam has made headlines as record amounts of rainwater and snowmelt are released downstream, flooding towns in North and South Dakota and Nebraska.

"It's probably the most iconic manmade structure in Montana," said John Daggett, dam operations manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "I can't think of any other manmade structure in Montana that would compare. It's just a unique area."

Take a tour of the Fort Peck Dam through photos, aerial video and historical documentry featured in the Billings Gazette.

~Leah Olson, Broker, ALC, Prudential Montana Real Estate, Ranch & Recreational Group