Among the recent land sales in Wyoming are two irrigated hay farms acquired by local producers and a small ranch that sold to a California woman for its scenic and recreational values.

Southeast Wyoming
Rocky and Paula Vaughn sold their 179-acre irrigated hay farm southwest of Torrington, Wyo., to Schreiner Farms LLC based in Veteran, Wyo.

The farm was listed for $789,000, or $4,408 per acre. The selling price was not available.

About 153 acres are under center-pivot and gated-pipe irrigation. The farm has been used for the production of alfalfa hay and seasonal livestock feeding. Prior to selling, the owners were receiving about $200 per acre cash rent ($30,600 per year total) on the irrigated ground.

Other amenities include a feedlot rated at 350 head of cattle, about 470 feet of concrete feed bunks, pipe corrals, a load-out chute, three grain bins, two shops, a modest home and a detached garage.

The taxable value of the land and improvements is $361,533, which does not reflect the actual market value of the property.

The farm was offered by Clark and Associates Land Brokers.

North-central Wyoming
Elizabeth Painter and Klondike Vista LLC of Atwater, Calif., purchased the 217-acre Keffer Ranch south of Buffalo, Wyo., near the Bighorn Mountains.

This parcel has a strong recreation and scenic component, though 50 irrigated acres are in hay production.

The ranch was listed by Clark and Associates Land Brokers for $2.25 million, or $10,369 per deeded acre. The selling price was not available.

Amenities include a 5,900-square-foot home, barn, shop, loafing shed, corrals and live water. There are four spring-fed ponds, two of which have good fishing, and second-in-line water rights.

The sellers were Chas and Sherry Keffer of Buffalo.

Southeast Wyoming
Retired agricultural producer Peggy Hill sold 241 acres of mostly irrigated land near Lingle, Wyo., to Matthew Gordon, a local science teacher and church minister who enjoys farming on the side.

The taxable value of the Goshen County land, along with a home and outbuildings, was $524,000, but this does not reflect the market value of the property. This was a private transaction, and the asking and selling prices were not available.

In 2008, more than 50 people, including members of the First Congregational Church in Torrington, Wyo., had an old-fashioned barn raising to help Gordon finish a barn on nearby property that he previously acquired.

“That’s what is so nice about living in a small community,” a church member told the Scottsbluff, Neb., Star-Herald. “People are not just your neighbors, but they are your friends, and they are always there for you if you need help.”