1,532.3 Acres in Balmorhea, TX - $4,596,900

This 1532-acre farm has 7 center pivot sprinkler irrigation systems and 7 irrigation wells. Large quantities of irrigation water, good soils and a long growing season make this farm a good location for a wide range of crops including alfalfa, grains, cotton and specialty crops such as trees or melons.

Farming of this property dates back to at least the 1950’s when it was row irrigated from concrete ditches, about 2,640’ of which are still on the property. In the early 1980’s, W.R. Grace & Co. purchased the property and installed center pivots and raised annual crops such as cotton. New owners planted most of the farm to alfalfa beginning in the mid 1990’s and operated until accidental chemical damage to the alfalfa crop caused operations to cease in 2002. The farm has been fallow since that time.

The irrigation wells are from approximately 600’ deep with 16” casing (some have 12” l...

The irrigation wells are from approximately 600’ deep with 16” casing (some have 12” liners) and pumps set at approximately 450’. Static water level is reportedly from 200’ to 250’. All pumps are currently 8” turbines, 6 with vertical hollow shaft electric motors and one with a diesel engine. One of the well motors is connected directly to utility-owned lines and has an individual meter. Electricity is distributed to the rest of the property by approximately 3 miles of power lines and 14 transformers owned by the farm and connected to a single primary meter. This arrangement enables the farm to negotiate for advantageous electricity rates from a choice of suppliers. Wells are connected with 25,000’ of 10” underground high pressure PVC pipe.

Six of the center pivots are ¼ mile in length and reportedly have 1200 gpm nozzle packages. One of the pivots is longer and covers 150.9 acres. All have PVC pipe suspended below the metal spans with hoses that reach the ground. All pivots are Gifford-Hill systems that were installed in 1980 or 1981 and reconditioned in mid 1990’s.

The topography of this farm is nearly level with less than a 1% slope for most of area. The predominant soil type is Verhalen clay. Water quality analyses show approximately 2500 to 2800 ppm of total dissolved solids with about 1/3 of these being sulfates.

Additional improvements include three metal barns, a two-story house and a smaller house that would require repairs and a set of cattle pens. Access to the property is provided by all-weather county roads, one of which runs through the farm. No mineral interest is offered and there is no apparent production of oil or gas on the property. A 4277-acre farm with 23 center pivots that is 1 mile south of this property is also available as is a section suitable for irrigation development 4 miles southeast of this property and a 635-acre farm with 3 center pivots and a feedlot 4 miles east of this property.

This is an excellent property with big water that is well suited for a variety of farming operations, especially alfalfa production.