Nebraska Ranch Sells for More Than $4.1 Million to 4 Local Buyers
By Brooke Bouma Kohlsdorf | Published on November 11, 2026
Nebraska is one of the nation’s leading cattle-producing states, where good grazing ground and reliable water are important features of a successful operation. A recent ranch auction on the edge of the state’s Sandhills region offered both, along with productive hay meadows and established livestock facilities.
H Bar D Ranch LLC sold approximately 1,830 acres of pasture and hay meadow in northeast Nebraska’s Holt County, for a combined $4,109,695. Divided into four tracts, the property averaged about $2,244 per acre.
About the Sale
Dave Hickey with Farmers National Company handled the hybrid auction. He said the four tracts attracted significant interest during the four days of online bidding leading up to the Oct. 16 live auction.
“We had two guys that wanted all four tracts, and they went back and forth those four days, you might say,” Hickey said. “We had a lot of activity leading up to the auction, so we had a place to start from on all four tracts and a good place to start from in terms of price. So, yes, it was a good day.”
About 30 registered bidders participated in the sale. Some were from outside the area, including an investor from Texas, another major cattle-producing state.
A large operation with property in several states also considered buying the land but ultimately decided not to bid, knowing there was so much local interest.
The Sellers and Buyers
That local interest showed up at the auction, according to Hickey.
The land was spread across Holt County near the town of Atkinson. In the end, the four tracts sold to four separate buyers, each with an adjoining or nearby ranch.
“Local guys aren’t necessarily bargain shoppers,” Hickey said. “They are trying to grow their operation. They’ve maybe been looking over the fence for 30 years at that particular tract of land and thinking, someday, if that is available, I am going to get serious about owning it.”
H Bar D Ranch LLC owned the property and had been renting the land to tenants, Hickey said. Full possession will be granted for the 2027 production year.
Holt County sits on the eastern edge of Nebraska’s Sandhills, a region known for its cattle operations and abundant water resources.
“We sit on the northeast corner of the Ogallala Aquifer, so we have a lot of water. It’s one of our biggest assets,” Hickey said.
Selling the land to Nebraska buyers is something Hickey considers a win.
“We had four local buyers, all long-time Holt County livestock ranchers, and that feels good,” he said.
Cattle Market Effect
Hickey said the strong cattle market, now in its third solid year, helped drive interest in the property and contributed to the prices the land brought at auction.
“Ranchers and farmers have a different mindset when it comes to buying. With ranchers, it takes them a little while longer to say, ‘OK, this is real, and we are actually at a place where we feel like we can maybe step out and spend a little money.’”
Hickey, who sells ranchland and farmland, said recent sales reflect what he considers to be a resilient market.
“Average- to high-quality ground in this part of the world is what I would call fully steady,” he said. “And it surprises me.”
Marginal ground, however, is a little harder to sell than it was two years ago, he said.
“I have thought for several years that a correction was coming, and I stopped saying that because I got tired of being wrong.”
Nebraska Land Values
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability tracks farmland and ranchland values across the state each year in its Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report.
According to the report, the statewide average value of all land and buildings on farms and ranches declined slightly in 2026 to $3,905 per acre.
However, grazing land and hayland values increased from the previous year. Tillable grazing land rose 4% to $1,890 per acre, while non-tillable grazing land increased 7% to $1,315 per acre. Hayland values climbed 5% to $2,525 per acre.
Property Features
The 1,830.2-acre ranch was divided into four tracts, each offering a different combination of pasture, hay ground, water resources, and livestock infrastructure.
Tract 1: 146.65 Acres
Water: Dry Creek flows through the property, providing a year-round water source for livestock
Fencing: Newer fencing along two sides of the property
Access: Road access along 874th Road
Location: Approximately 3.5 miles southwest of Atkinson
Sale price: $3,100 per acre = $454,615
Property taxes: $1,441
Tract 2: 480 Acres
Water: Two windmills, one solar-powered well, and several dugouts
Pasture access: Access along 869th Road allows for convenient livestock movement and year-round accessibility
Shelter and wildlife habitat: Several established tree belts provide protection for livestock and habitat for wildlife
Pasture management: An ongoing eastern red cedar management program has helped maintain and improve pasture productivity
Grazing potential: The layout offers opportunities for cross-fencing and rotational grazing, which could improve forage utilization and increase potential stocking rates
Location: Approximately 10 miles southeast of Atkinson
Sale price: $2,000 per acre = $960,000
Property taxes: $4,612
Tract 3: 320 Acres
Hay production: Productive hay meadow
Access: Excellent access along the east and north boundaries
Shelterbelts: Mature cottonwood and cedar trees provide windbreaks and shelter
Winter protection: Shelter areas help protect livestock during colder weather
Livestock facilities: Several cattle loafing sheds
Water: A windmill provides water for livestock
Location: Approximately 18 miles southeast of Atkinson
Sale price: $2,900 per acre = $928,000
Property taxes: $3,213
Tract 4: 883.54 Acres
Hay and pasture: Approximately 160 acres of productive hay meadow, along with Sandhills pasture, provide a combination of forage production and grazing opportunities
Water: Multiple windmills, dugouts, and natural water holes provide livestock water throughout the property
Ranch headquarters: Located along 478th Avenue
Shop: A 30-by-50-foot Butler shop
Livestock buildings: A 24-by-50-foot cattle loafing shed and an 18-by-36-foot livestock building
Additional structures: An older barn and several other ranch buildings provide additional functionality
Potential homesite: The established building site offers a setting for a home, with mature shelterbelts and natural protection providing privacy and shelter
Livestock protection: Designated shelter areas throughout the ranch offer protection from the elements
Location: 18 miles southeast of Atkinson
Sale price: $2,000 per acre = $1,767,080
Property taxes: $7,481
Produced in partnership with American Farmland Owner (AFO). AFO aims to help landowners make informed decisions for their farmland while ensuring the prosperity of American agriculture.
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