Turnkey Cattle And Hunting Ranch With Home

OVERVIEW

The Double L Ranch is one of the most well-rounded, turnkey ranches in SW Idaho. Located in the Lower Payette Valley, just east of New Plymouth, Idaho, this first-class cattle operation and heart-pounding waterfowl and upland bird hunting ranch is enabled by ample irrigation, creek-like waterways, and ponds tucked into managed habitat areas. The 3 bed/2 bath ranch house was recently renovated to the studs and fully upgraded. Multiple metal shops, storage buildings, hay barns, and covered parking provide ample space for operations. Heated, covered squeeze chute, 1st class corrals, and livestock working facilities. Extensive livestock watering system, delivering on-demand water, year-round, to troughs in every pasture. Continuous soil improvement from management plan to re-establish and improve pastures through regenerative farming and ranching practices. 158+/- acres irrigated from Nesbit -McFarlen Canal and the Lower Payette Ditch Company off expertly designed flood and pressurized systems to minimize labor and cost.

IRRIGATION

The ranch has a robust and reliable portfolio of water supplies, including two sources that draw from the Payette River. Approximately 158 acres irrigated from two primary sources of water. Nesbit – McFarlen Canal runs through the middle of the ranch and is the water source for approximately 90 acres of flood-irrigated pastures. The Nesbit – McFarlen Canal is a direct water diversion right from the Payette River and is one of the oldest rights in the basin. The ranch owns a 47% interest in the ditch and water rights. Lower Payette Ditch Company runs through the property and is the main source for the pressurized irrigation system that delivers water to upper pastures irrigated by five-wheel lines and 9 Irripod lines (portable and flexible irrigation lines). The water is pumped from the canal with a 75-horse pump-controlled variable frequency drive (VFD) computer system that maintains a constant pressure and can be set on a timer.

Both sources provide abundant water to the ranch, and neither system has any history of regulation or curtailment. The reliability and water security of the ranch were among the main considerations of the current owner when purchasing the property.

Flood Irrigation Improvements: Numerous improvements have been made to reduce the labor and time required to irrigate significantly. Two of the larger pastures are irrigated through concrete ditches that historically used labor intensive syphon tubes, were modified in 2018 with a series of slide gates to divert water from the ditches into the pastures easily and eliminated the need for syphon tubes. In addition,7 new cast iron canal gates were installed in 2024 on the ranch’s portion of the Nesbit McFarland Ditch, greatly improving the control and flow of water through the ditch and into pastures.

Pressurized Sprinkler Irrigation Improvements: A number of labor and energy efficiency improvements have been completed on this system. Most recently, a new pump was installed in 2024 to improve energy efficiency. In addition, a new VFD computer system was installed in 2017, which enhanced its energy efficiency. Both projects were done in consultation with Idaho Power as part of the agricultural energy efficiency program. As part of the labor savings objective, the ranch recently converted from using handlines to irrigate portions of the upper pastures to Irripod lines – a flexible mobile irrigation system that can be moved easily and quickly with a four-wheeler. In addition, the wheel lines receive regular maintenance and repair to minimize water and pressure leaks.

HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS | HUNTING

Hunting opportunities include waterfowl throughout the season, a resident mule deer herd, pheasant, quail, and turkeys. The habitat improvements have made huge strides in increasing wild pheasant, quail, and turkey populations. Fences were constructed around these areas as part of the interior fencing improvements to allow these areas to be managed more effectively by limiting livestock access.

Waterfowl hunting is the real gem of the ranch when it comes to hunting opportunities. Three duck blinds are located on a braid of the Payette River. Blinds easily and comfortably accommodate three hunters. The river braid provides pools and riffles that ducks and geese pile into during winter for refuge from hunting pressures on the main river. Two blinds are located at riffles that keep water open even during the coldest days. The third blind is tucked in among willows and cattails at the end of a long pool that seems always to hold ducks and geese.

PASTURE AND SOIL HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS

A primary goal of the current ranch operations is to improve pasture and soil health. Over the past eight years, the owners have implemented a management plan to re-establish and improve pastures through regenerative farming and ranching practices. Cover crops were initially used as the first step toward re-establishing permanent pastures throughout the property. This included a diversified cropping mix of grasses, legumes, tubers, and brassicas to address soil health issues, including improvements in organic matter and soil compactions.

Cover crops were planted using no-till farming practices. They were followed by planting permanent pasture, including drought-tolerant grass and nitrogen-fixing clovers and plants to eliminate synthetic fertilizers. Rotational grazing and other pasture management strategies were implemented to increase organic matter and improve soil health. The ranch has been testing soil periodically and has seen increases in organic matter in nearly every pasture over the past eight years. No synthetic fertilizers or broadcast herbicides have been used on the ranch over the past seven years. While there is always an opportunity for more improvement, the ranch pastures are moving in the right direction.

RANCH HOUSE

Approximately 2,000 square feet, three bedrooms, two full baths. Completely remodeled in 2017, new wiring, new PEX plumbing, new lighting, windows, bathroom fixtures, wall insulation and all new windows

Upgraded appliances, water filtration, and softener. Beautiful sunroom to enjoy sunrise/sunset or watch expecting cows during calving. Large Mudroom and detached dry storage building.

CATTLE WORKING FACILITIES

The cattle operations include extensive piped working corrals with two large holdings, three smaller sorting pens, and two sorting alleys. The corrals also include a covered working area over the squeeze chute and scales, including three infrared heat elements, fans, interior and exterior lighting, and well-positioned power that provides a comfortable and safe way of working cattle. The facilities include new Arrowquip cattle equipment, a crowding tub, adjustable alleys, a weigh station, and a squeeze chute. These are excellent facilities for working and managing your herd.

MAIN EQUIPMENT SHOP

Newly constructed, insulated metal shop with 5-bay covered parking.

The insulated shop is 40ft x 30ft with an 11ft x 12ft high bay door

Covered parking bays 60ft x 30ft

Lighting in and out

METAL SHOP AND HAY BARN

45ft x 35ft Hay Barn

40ft x 24ft Metal shop w/ separate vet room and tack room

Insulated

12ft wide and 9ft tall drive-thru shop door

Currently staging area for duck hunting outings