Blue River Meadows

Description

Blue River Meadows is a 466-acre ranch located on the banks of the upper Blue River roughly 4 miles west of Fittstown, 10 miles south of Ada, 85 miles from OKC and 140 miles from DFW.  Although paved roads come within one mile of the property, it feels like it's a million miles from anywhere because of the lack of traffic, and abundant peace and quiet. 

This ranch boasts some of the most productive and fertile class 2 and 3 river bottom soils in the area and has a history of raising 200 plus bushel corn and a variety of other row crops. Currently the sellers have wheat planted in the 37-acre bottom field on the south side of the river and a combination wheat/oat mix planted in the 70-acre field that flanks the Blue River to the north. The ranch is set up well for rotational grazing with well-maintained cross fences and water sources in each pasture. The pastures are mostly open and fortified by an outcropping of limestone-base soils, which are known for their high mineral content.  Yearlings run on these types of pastures exhibit a higher daily weight gain than on other types of pasture in this region of Oklahoma.  In addition, cattle health is generally better on limestone soils.  

The rangeland is divided into 5 cross fenced pastures. The northeast pasture is 27 acres in size with approximately 900 feet of road frontage along the county road. This pasture is where you will find a nice pond for water as well as an existing well bore.  West from there, you will move into the middle 59-acre pasture serviced by two large ponds. While the pastures are mostly open, there are several nice groves of hardwoods in the draws and lining the river that provide shade in the summer, wind breaks in the winter and serve as erosion buffers along the banks. 

South of the river is divided into three tracts: the 37-acre wheat field and two pastures. At the far southwest corner of the property, is the entrance to the 146-acre pasture. Here you'll find a very basic set of working pens and a trap with feed bunks that funnel into a 32-acre pasture with its own pond for water, and large, mature, pecan trees scattered throughout.   As you move north the elevation rises slightly and then falls from there to the river. The 146-acre pasture is the most diverse with transitional areas of limestone outcroppings, dense areas of trees, a few massive pecans and oak trees as well as two nice ponds and areas where the owners have cleared to recapture grassland.

One of the most attractive features of this ranch is the water. One mile of Blue River winds through the ranch; a highly desirable feature in this part of Oklahoma.  Blue River originates in Roff, Oklahoma, stretches 141 miles and ends in the Red River on the Oklahoma/Texas border.  This stretch of the Blue River is typically quiet and gentle but can overflow for short periods of time during extreme rain events or sometimes stop running all together in dry months of the year.  Fortunately, the low ground typically drains quickly after big rains and has enough moisture in the subsoil to carry it through most dry spells. 

Water wells in this part of Pontotoc County are special because they tap into the Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer.  This aquifer produces ultra high-quality water from its limestone and sandstone formations.  Local water districts use this water and the only treatment required is a small amount of chlorine to maintain quality in the water lines.  The entire ranch sits atop this aquifer and because of its karst nature, water wells in the area that are drilled into flooded subterranean caverns can produce hundreds of gallons per minute.  It is an incredible resource.

For those looking to have some fun on the ranch, the owners' children and grandchildren have been playing in the river, hunting deer and turkey for decades.  The limestone soils are not only great for cattle but they also encourage whitetail deer to put on above average antler mass.  In addition, the turkeys have great roosting sites along the river.  Feeders have been used to supplement the native forage for years and draw the wildlife into the ranch.    

The sellers have worked diligently for the last 13 years to improve and maintain the overall 466 acres by clearing and reclaiming range land, spraying, and fertilizing the highly productive bottom land and improving ponds and fences. This massive effort will be inherited and enjoyed by the new owners who will reap the benefits for years to come. This ranch has truly become a legacy project for this family and their hope is to see the good stewardship pass to many future generations.  If you have any questions or would like to set up a showing, please call Chrissy Banks at (765) 220-2489.