John Day Breaks Pasture

Just minutes from the John Day River at Clarno lies the John Day Breaks Pasture, 4,354.69± contiguous, deeded acres, plus 557± acres of BLM lands fenced-in which are permitted for 21 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) of grazing. The property borders several thousand additional acres of BLM lands. The rolling terrain has tremendous views of the magnificent John Day River Canyon; additionally, it is transected by five draws that provide seasonal drainage, and springs provide good water and cover for livestock and wildlife alike. The varied terrain is frequented by Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, chukar, turkey, and other wildlife native to the area. With the supplemental feeding of approximately 1 ton of purchased hay/Animal Unit (AU, 1 AU = 12 AUMs), the John Day Breaks Pasture has historically supported 143 AUs. It is just 2± miles from the boating ramp on the John Day River at Clarno for rafting, boating, and fly fishing for native Steelhead trout and smallmouth bass! If you are an avid hunter or angler, this just may be your dream location! Since the 1970s, the John Day Breaks Pasture has been operated, along with other owned private, State, and BLM lands as a year-round cow/calf ranch, utilizing the abundant, native grasses interspersed throughout the sage and juniper covered hillsides. The varied terrain and abundant native feed produce a “hard grass” range calf, hardy and favored by the yearling and feeder operators, which annually purchase the calves. While annual carrying capacity is highly dependent upon winter snowpack, spring/summer rains, management, and government grazing policies, the John Day Breaks Pasture has historically been carrying 143 Animal Units (AUs) with the operator purchasing and feeding an average of one ton of hay per AU. The ranch is currently leased for cattle grazing to a reputable, neighboring cattleman. Opportunity exists for a purchaser of this property to negotiate a continuation of the lease with the tenant, or should a purchaser wish to run their own cattle on the ranch, there are two annual opportunities to sever the lease. John Day Breaks Pasture is blessed with several springs, some developed and some undeveloped, which provide good stock watering distribution for the ranch.