Wyola, MT
Billings MLS #
Situated in the picturesque landscapes of South-Central Montana, the Pass Creek Angus Ranch is a beacon of agricultural excellence. Located in between the Wolf Mountains and the Bighorn Mountains, this prodigious property is a testament to the dedication and expertise cultivated over 60 years in optimizing cattle genetics. The Pass Creek Ranch sits on over 3,400 acres of deeded land featuring lush irrigated cropland, rich hay meadows, and Native rangeland. Operations extend to another 6,000 acres of BIA lease land totaling around10,000 acres of functioning property. The Pass Creek Angus Ranch has dedicated nearly 60 years to refining and perfecting Angus genetics. This long-term commitment is evident in their current herd, which showcases the pinnacle of breeding efforts. Although the Ranch displays a variety of country living benefits, it sits only 30 min to the North of Sheridan, Wyoming, and 90 minutes from Billings, Montana. Nestled creekside on the property includes 4 residences and 2 log guest cabins. There are multiple building sites available along Pass Creek, as well as on high ridges to capture the expansive views of the Big Horn Mountains. The Pass Creek Ranch is being offered “Turnkey” to the new owner including all of the current equipment, vehicles and registered Angus herd. The PCAR’s annual production sale showcases a 50 year history of genetic excellence. Investing in genetics from Pass Creek means investing in the legacy of quality, performance, and excellence that will resonate through generations of cattle. Pass Creek Ranch, an ideal source for legacy registered genetics.
History of the Brand
Pass Creek Angus Ranch
Pass Creek Angus Ranch is located 1 miles south of Wyola, Montana on Highway 451 or 36 miles north of Sheridan, Wyoming. Darrell Rathkamp grew up in southern Minnesota. In 1960, Darrell and his wife, Mary, started in the registered Angus business with six cows and a bull. In 1977, they sold their Minnesota properties and ventured to Montana to expand their herd. They purchased Pass Creek Angus Ranch and raised their three children, Todd, Kurt and Lisa. In 2001, Darrell lost his wife, Mary, to cancer. Later, he was fortunate enough to find another partner in life and wed Ginny. With Ginny and Kurt at his side, they continue to push forward in improving their herd and make Pass Creek Angus Ranch the success it is today.
Now, with Darrell’s 60 years of experience in the Angus breed, Pass Creek Angus Ranch will present their 46th Annual Bull Production Sale on April 8th, 2020. Through hard work, experienced genetic selection and a little luck, Pass Creek Angus has developed a group of females to be proud of. Consistently striving for improved carcass, fertility and docility using predictable genetics, Pass Creek Angus will proudly continue to produce a selection of sires that will fit any beef producers program.
To Darrell and Ginny, ranching is not a job or career; it is an expression of who they are and what they love…a life time of achievements. From feeding the herd and watching them develop into that next generation they have so carefully planned, to going to farm auctions and finding the treasured draft horse team or implement that surely will come in handy. The bull offering for the upcoming production sale is growing at an impressive average of 3 pounds a day. It is not hard to see why their buyers come back each year. Seasonally, Pass Creek Angus Ranch opens its charms to a Bed & Breakfast and guest ranch. They provide their guests with cabin and tepee lodging as well as fine ranch meals and activities which include wagon rides, horseback rides and other ranch activities. Ranch meals are cooked and served western style at the ranch cook house.
You can help out with daily chores to experience ranch life or just watch. Their goal is to give you as little or as much western life as you want. Pass Creek Angus Ranch can also customize western adventure trips for you or your group. They like to limit the number of guest to twelve so that all guests get the personal attention they deserve. If you have special requirements, need a customized trip, or just want more information about what they have to offer, please contact them so that they can accommodate you. Whether you come to view their cattle operation, making your selection from their superior bull offering for your outfit or just need a break from your busy life, they have an adventure waiting just for you. Come experience the American West with them!
Just the Facts
- •Multiple Live Streams
- •Expansive Headquarters
- •Turn-Key Backgrounding Facility
- •2,500 Est. Linear Feet of Bunk
- •Multiple wells for stock and domestic uses
- •+/- 70 Deeded Irrigated Acres Thousands of BIA lease pasture acres currently used in conjunction with the deeded land
- •Multiple corral systems with automatic waters
- •Hosting facility/kitchen for Sale Day
- •2 Log Guest Cabins
- •2 Homes for Management/Ranch Hand
- •1 Main House & 1 Guest House @ headquarters
- •Ranch hand on staff
Overview
Legacy, Tradition, Production
Pass Creek Angus Ranch has 3,455.68 ± deeded acres of strong grass country, with another +/-6,000 acres of BIA Lease land. The property has breathtaking views of the Big Horn Mountains and almost two miles of Pass Creek running year-round through the property. PCAR is an easy-to-operate registered operation that currently runs 600-650 total head of registered cattle year-round. List price reflects the real property, and is including but not limited to: All cattle, equipment, vehicles, improvements and any assumable BIA leases that make this property a turnkey ranch.
Breeding Philosophy 
Registered Angus Production
It is our job to bring you a selection of bulls to give you that explosive gain from birth to weaning. It is our responsibility to plan mating with just that right female, developing top end replacement heifers and bulls, watching them grow and mature and then send that “just right” bull off to our buyer’s herd knowing he recognizes his value.
All our females are run with no special treatment…just like a commercial cow. We are consistently striving to better our females for fertility, good utter, improving carcass, and docility. We all know…it is all about those females!
Bulls are our business and we have spent 60 years breeding the kind of cattle that have kept us in business – concentrating on calving ease, fast gaining calves, dispositions, mothering ability and carcass values. Our bulls are grown out, not fed out and look good doing it! Many of the bulls we raise are “Pass Creek Angus” sired and as you compare Herd Sires to our AI Sires it will be obvious that they can certain stack up with the outside sires represented. We believe it is important to use bulls that are developed here, that are adapted to our environment and make sure that their calves can compete in groups of calves sired by other respected breeders.
The success of our customers is our greatest inspiration and remains our highest priority. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your seed stock source and we thank you for the confidence you may place in our program. If we can be of assistance in anyway, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Location & Access
Location: Wyola, MT
With a population around 215 people, Wyola is a small Montana ag town in Big Horn County, Montana, United States. Wyola, just miles from Wyoming off I-90 on the Little Big Horn River and the Crow Indian Reservation, is a small town that serves as is a shipping point for cattle from valley ranches. Area industry include farming and ranching and coal mining. Wyola is situated in Big Horn County, which is home to the Crow Indian Reservation, and is located about 40 miles southeast of Billings, Montana’s largest city.
The town is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with rolling hills, wide-open fields, and the majestic Pryor Mountains to the west. The area is known for its unique geological formations, such as the Pompey’s Pillar National Monument and the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Wyola has a rich history, dating back to when the area was first inhabited by the Crow Nation. The town was established in 1907 and served as a stop along the Northern Pacific Railroad. During this time, the town was a hub for agricultural production, with many farmers and ranchers calling the area home. Today, the town is still predominantly rural and agriculture-based, with many residents working in the ranching industry.
Overall, Wyola is a small community with a rich history and stunning natural surroundings. Wyola is situated in Big Horn County, which is home to the Crow Indian Reservation, and is located about 40 miles southeast of Billings, Montana’s largest city.
Sheridan, WY
Located at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan is a town full of rich history and inspiring solitude. Connect with yourself, be awed by the vast wilderness and wildlife, and learn about life in the American West with a visit to Sheridan. Downtown Sheridan is pretty spectacular with a collection of turn of the last century buildings that have all been repurposed and rebuilt. They house galleries, boutiques, shops, restaurants, and more. You will find a lot of local makers including King Saddlery, jewelry and clothing makers, even two modern pottery shops downtown.
Improvements
- •2 Log Guest Cabins
- •2 Homes for Management/Ranch Hand
- •1 Main House & 1 Guest House @ headquarters
- •Turn-Key Backgrounding Facility
- •2,500 Est. Linear Feet of Bunk
- •Multiple corral systems with automatic waters
- •Hosting facility/kitchen for Sale Day
General Operations
Focus on Superior Breeding
The Pass Creek Angus Ranch has dedicated nearly 60 years to refining and perfecting Angus genetics. This long-term commitment is evident in their current herd, which showcases the pinnacle of these breeding efforts.
Easy Calving and Herd Sire Excellence
A critical aspect of PCAR’s genetic program was the emphasis on easy calving traits. This focus ensures that the offspring are born without complications, promoting herd health and reducing losses. Additionally, their bulls are selected to be high-performing herd sires, contributing robust and desirable traits to the next generation.
Positive Carcass Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs)
The ranch’s commitment to quality is highlighted by its use of bulls with positive carcass EPDs. This approach ensures that the offspring not only thrive in the pasture but also excel in carcass quality, making them highly sought after in the beef industry.
Annual Production Sale – A Showcase of Genetic Merit
The ranch’s annual production sale, held every April, is a showcase of genetic excellence. Prospective buyers have the opportunity to invest in cattle that are the result of decades of careful, thoughtful breeding, with each animal representing the highest standards of production exemplified by the Angus breed.
Continual Improvement and Innovation
At Pass Creek Angus Ranch, the pursuit of genetic excellence is a never-ending journey. Through careful selection and breeding practices, the ranch continuously strives to enhance the genetic makeup of their herd, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of Angus cattle breeding.
Leases
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS: Multiple, See/Request File
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT: None
STATE OF MONTANA: None
Disclaimer: All water rights and mineral rights owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing and all required filings with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) will transfer the current water rights as they exist – with no warranty of future viability. Water rights in the State of Montana are subject to re-adjudication by the DNRC and may be determined by the court to be modified in validity, amount, priority, date, and place of use. All mineral rights owned by the Seller for the subject property will convey to the Buyer at closing.
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