Located in both northern Utah and southern Idaho, Hat Springs Ranch, a working cattle and equestrian ranch, is a pleasant drive from Salt Lake City. The ranch compound is neatly arranged on both sides of a county-maintained road in Malta, Idaho with the Raft River Range providing a dramatic backdrop. 2 Feedlots on the ranch provide capacity for 900+ head of cattle with summer grazing on higher ground. Irrigation and stock water are provided with a gravity-fed water source- three springs located at the foothills of the Raft River Mountains flow year-round to troughs and tanks located throughout the ranch.
Hat Springs Ranch is 4,440 acres in size, 1,600 acres which are deeded, and 2,800 leased from the State of Idaho. The northern portion of the ranch is mostly leased ground with a combination of irrigated pasture and grazing. There are a series of stock ponds plus a small fishing pond th...
Hat Springs Ranch is 4,440 acres in size, 1,600 acres which are deeded, and 2,800 leased from the State of Idaho. The northern portion of the ranch is mostly leased ground with a combination of irrigated pasture and grazing. There are a series of stock ponds plus a small fishing pond the owner has stocked with rainbow trout. The southern portion of the ranch consists of summer grazing among the foothills and lower draws of the Bally Mountains. There are 3 major springs with good, year-round flows plus a series of roads on the ranch that provide easy access for getting around. The foothills are covered with Sage, Pinyons, Cedar, and Juniper in addition to natural and planted grasses- all providing plenty of cover for game and birdlife. The upper reaches of the ranch cross into Utah at elevations of about 6200 feet where the ranch borders the USFS. Here 2-tracks and game trails access ridgelines of the Bally Mountains.
Hat Springs is a working cattle and horse ranch. The ranch runs cattle year-round and is host to 2 feedlots which provide capacity for 900+ head of feeder cattle. Additionally, grazing is provided on higher summer pasture, as well as lower fenced and irrigated pastures. Equipment sheds, cattle chutes, and pens are located centrally on the ranch as are a series of spring-fed stock ponds.
The owners typically irrigate approximately 350 acres via 3 pivots and hand lines, all through a gravity-fed system which translates to lower operating and utility costs. There is not a pump on the property. Yields for alfalfa are approximately 3+ tons per acre with higher yields for grass mix. Additionally, the owners have run up to 100 horses on the ranch. Horse facilities include corrals, walk-in sheds, and tack sheds. The entire property is fenced with the exception of a hillside on the southern portion.
The owner had made significant improvements to irrigation and stock watering systems over the years. 350 acres of additional pasture on the upper portion of the property are currently being improved so as to increase stocking rates on the ranch. Other recent improvements to the ranch include new cross-fencing and the addition of a shed for processing pasture-raised beef. Idaho Lands has served as a great partner to the land owner. The ranch has held up to 600 head of cattle during winter months and there is access to abundant sources of supplemental feed in the region.