Ranch Operations
The N Bar Headquarters compound, established in 1885, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Simple white frame buildings harken back to an earlier time, and have been fully upgraded to provide modest, but comfortable, guest facilities. Four additional building compounds are strategically located throughout the ranch and ideally suited to serve as staff quarters. The ranch offers limitless opportunity for a new owner to build a custom home in a setting chosen to accentuate one's own taste and vision.
Significant attention and resources have been focused on developing the N Bar Ranch's livestock production facilities, which are situated for maximum efficiency and are in prime condition. Recently completed improvements include the renovation of the sale barn, as well as installation of hundreds of miles of good-quality fencing and a 4,000-foot grass airstrip.
With respect to livestock, the N Bar Ranch has retained the best genetics of the N Bar-registered Angus lines. Current management has transformed the ranch into a commercial cow/calf/yearling operation running 1,000 cows with the intention of carrying the calves over to yearlings. A conservative estimate of capacity—at 30 acres per animal unit—is more than 2,000 animals; however, in keeping with present management's emphasis on maintaining top quality wildlife habitat, the ranch currently supports approximately 1,500 head of cattle.
The N Bar has maintained an active forest management program as well, to ensure the health of the timber resources. Selective logging and the removal of smaller trees for pulp helps to reduce the fire danger and increases the carrying capacity. The ranch also runs bands of sheep to control leafy spurge, and an aggressive weed-control program combines the best and safest chemical products with the latest in biological methods for abatement.
The ranch's agricultural operations are fully self-contained, with its hay lands alone producing 3,000 to 4,000 tons of feed annually, a capacity sufficient to sustain its cattle operation and sell excess hay. The uncommon versatility of the land and its resources supports a proven, highly functional year-round operation.
The N Bar has developed a highly efficient and streamlined operation, requiring only a small two- to three-person staff. The ranch has demonstrated consistent financial performance, with profits reinvested into ranch improvements.
