How many actually live on a ranch? (lease, how much)

[SpeedyAZ]

I wanted to thank everyone for the advice about Montana Ranches but I was wondering how many people in this forum actually live on a ranch? If so, where is it located and how many acres do you have?

Hopefully I'll become a part-time resident within a few years..

[MTer]

Originally Posted by SpeedyAZ

I wanted to thank everyone for the advice about Montana Ranches but I was wondering how many people in this forum actually live on a ranch? If so, where is it located and how many acres do you have?

Hopefully I'll become a part-time resident within a few years..

It depends how you define a ranch. From my perspective, a Montana ranch is a place where cattle, bison, or other similar animals are raised, crops are raised to feed the livestock, and so on. Some people, including in this forum, define any large amount of property as a ranch (differentiating working ranches). By that definition, those of us living in gorgeous mountains with forest but having a lot of land live on ranches.

I'm curious, though, why you care where people live and how much acreage they have. Throughout Montana you can find small residential lots (in towns, cities) up to ranches that are measured in square miles (not acres).

[SpeedyAZ]

I'm curious, though, why you care where people live and how much acreage they have.

I really don't care, it's just a question. Nothing more nothing less.

It depends how you define a ranch. From my perspective, a Montana ranch is a place where cattle, bison, or other similar animals are raised, crops are raised to feed the livestock, and so on. Some people, including in this forum, define any large amount of property as a ranch (differentiating working ranches). By that definition, those of us living in gorgeous mountains with forest but having a lot of land live on ranches.

I grew up on a farm (different from a ranch I'm sure) and my definition of a ranch is a large pacel of land (over 100 acres).

Curiosity got the best of me...

[MTer]

Originally Posted by SpeedyAZ

I really don't care, it's just a question. Nothing more nothing less.



I grew up on a farm (different from a ranch I'm sure) and my definition of a ranch is a large pacel of land (over 100 acres).

Curiosity got the best of me...

By the way, a farm and a ranch are different entities. Montana does have some farms, and a few farming regions. The state is mainly known, however, for its huge ranches, or in your terms, working ranches.

[imbobbbb]

in montana 100 acres is a "ranchette"

[MHT]

I grew up in MT on a ranch that was 15,000 acres. Now live in WY on one that is 27,000 acres. We raise cattle and sheep. Also grow feed (hay and grain). I grew up raising cattle only - Dad wouldn't let a sheep on the place!

[mtcwgirl]

Originally Posted by imbobbbb

in montana 100 acres is a "ranchette"

I agree. But we always called them "hobbyist ranchers". Or as my Grandpa says "to much bloody money, and a waste of time and good land." although i see that having sub-divided land offers everyone a chance to live a 'montana lifestyle', most of the people living on these small land parcels don't take land management seriously. Its a shame.
I grew up on a spread of 11 sections. We raised 500 head of angus, always had a small herd of horses and usually had a few sheep and goats -my mom thought they were funny-. We raised our own hay and farmed dry land wheat (cert.). It was an amazing way to grow up.

[AQHA]

It sounds like a great way to grow up. I grew up on what would be called a hobby farm I guess. We had about every animal you could imagine. Sunday dinners were normally something we raised, or a deer that dad shot.

At my place I have cattle/horses and other animal around my place but its not really big enough to be called a ranch technically. I think I heard once that you have to have 270 acres to be called a ranch. I don't care, its my ranch anyway.

[ElkHunter]

I would define a "Ranch" as a parcel of property that by raising livetock it is self sustaining. In other words, you don't work 5 days a week in town and then go home to your "Ranch". The ranch is the only source of income.

Like mentioned, most in Montana are measured in square miles.

[rangerider]

I live on a postage stamp, but work with two guys. One is my neighbor, has a farm/ranch amounting to about 825 acres. The other is strictly a beef cattle/open range place. They own about 8000 and lease another 27,000. I have a good friend who has a place that covers close to 15,000, all privately owned. Nice place, too.