When you think of the word ranch what do you think of? Is it just a synonym for “farm?” Is it a certain kind of farm, one devoted to livestock? Or is it just a really big farm?!
One thing you’ll notice in real estate listings is that typically only the very largest farms get called a ranch. That’s a clue! So just how many acres does it take to consider a property a ranch?
A ranch is broadly defined as being between 400 and 500 acres in size, or larger. The classification also means that the property is typically devoted to rearing or supporting livestock. Note that different states have different legal definitions concerning ranches.
There’s a lot of talk about what is and isn’t a range depending on who you ask, but one thing is for sure: a true ranch is big, really big!
But that’s not all there is to know, so keep reading and I’ll tell you what you need to know about ranches and how they earn the classification below.
How Big Can a Ranch Be?
A ranch, theoretically, can be any size so long as it meets the 400-acre or 500-acre minimum as described above and is devoted to the raising or feeding of livestock.
But this is only a rule of thumb: there are many other classifications for ranch, both official and unofficial though I have not encountered any that puts a size cap on the acreage of a ranch property.
Some people, likewise, consider any livestock property of any size a wrench by virtue of the fact that it is devoted to livestock.
However, keep in mind for the moment that some states have their own legal definitions for what constitutes a ranch, and various other legal uses might have a context-sensitive definition as well. We’ll talk more about those in a minute…
Are Smaller Acreages Not Considered Ranches?
It depends. Concerning all practical matters of raising livestock, housing livestock or providing pasture for livestock a smaller property can still be considered a ranch to most people.
However, some people, usually those with huge properties, like to stick with the classic definition as I detailed above in the beginning.
That being said, you’ll certainly encounter plenty of ranches that might be anywhere from a couple of dozen to just a couple hundred acres in size and have all the other necessary amenities that a ranch would have.
If you’re thinking about getting a ranch, because you like the line of work or maybe even enjoy the lifestyle, don’t let the size of the property be some arbitrary standard that stops you.
Does “Ranch” Have a Legal Connotation?
Yes, it does, or rather it can. The first thing you’ll need to know is that the legal definition of a ranch will depend entirely on the context that it is used in, and where it is being used.
Several different states have their own legal definitions for what a ranch is and just as importantly is not, and so do various Federal agencies like the USDA.
For instance, if we look at one of the most well-known states that has a strict legal definition for a ranch, Colorado, we see that the state statutes define it as “an agricultural property with a minimum of 160 continuous acres.” Note that this is significantly smaller than the typical definition above.
Likewise, zoning laws are another factor to consider when it comes to having a legitimate ranch property.
Depending on the state and sometimes even the county in which you live, a ranch may be required to be a true agricultural property or it could be classified as a rural residential property.
There are way too many variations across the nation to get into here, but you’ll want to make sure you check on these codes to get the strict letter of the law.
Speaking of law, your state and local regulations might also mandate that a certain number of animals be raised on a property for it to be classified as a ranch.
These and other land use rules and laws are part and parcel of owning such property.
Considering those government agencies I mentioned, another one of the most common legal definitions comes from the USDA, which defines a ranch as “any place where livestock are raised and grazed on public lands while the residential headquarters and infrastructure are located on private lands”.
The USDA also has the prerequisite that any livestock being raised on such a property must be grazing animals, horses, goats, sheep, cows etc., and excludes animals like chickens, ostriches, emus, pigs, alligators, and so forth.
That is certainly an esoteric definition but a very important distinction between a farm, legally speaking!
Why is the Legal Classification of Ranch Important?
The legal classification and definition of “ranch” matters for the same reason that the definition of any other kind of property is important: because the property laws and rights are serious, serious business.
Agricultural property generally and ranches particularly are hugely valuable and critically important classifications when it comes to property rights.
If you are going to try and graze or range your animals on public lands, federal and specifically, or anyone else’s property, the legal definitions will determine precisely what your rights are when it comes to interpreting state and federal law.
And then, of course, there are the tax implications of a property’s classification.
Properties are taxed at different rates, both at the state and at the Federal level, especially when it concerns tax breaks, write-offs, incentives and so forth you must have the legal right to do so if you don’t want to get into big, big trouble with the IRS.
For instance, a property that is legally classified, according to the governing agency’s definition, as a ranch could be entitled to tax benefits but only in the case that it meets all of the requirements for such classification and for ongoing use, potentially defined as the number of animals or use for commercial enterprises.
There are dozens and dozens of other examples, so I’ll stop there, but for your purposes, all you need to know is that you must be completely sure of the legal classification of your property- whatever you yourself might call it for vanity or public appeal!
Are Farms and Ranches the Same Thing?
Legally speaking, not always. Practically speaking, it just depends on who you’re talking to.
If you really want to get into semantics, some folks classify a ranch as a subtype of farm generally, but a farm is not necessarily a ranch.
Going back to the strict definitions of “ranch”, you might define it as a large parcel that is devoted to the raising of livestock but one that has buildings on the property in support, be it a residence, barn or something else.
A farm, distinctly, is simply any tract of land that is dedicated to agriculture, generally, be it livestock or crops.
My advice? If you aren’t dealing with real estate documents, legal proceedings, or tax filings, you can use whatever term the people you’re talking to use.
Do Ranches Always Host Livestock?
Yes, broadly, but a ranch is not restricted to livestock operations alone when it comes to commercial enterprises or local business.
Really, the only thing that constitutes a ranch in most cases is that it is a property of a certain size and it is devoted to raising and supporting a certain kind of grazing livestock animal.
After that, the sky is the limit, with many ranches offering related services like breeding, veterinary care, boarding, and even things like lessons, public meet-and-greets or retreat rental properties in the case of the largest.
But again, this isn’t a legal definition, and people have very strong opinions on just what is and is not a range, both in terms of qualifications and disqualifications!
Some “old hands” might believe that if a ranch does anything, anything, besides housing, feeding and caring for the animals it is supporting then it just isn’t a ranch!
What is a “Hobby Ranch?”
“Hobby ranch” is purely a colloquial term, typically one that refers to a much smaller ranch compared to the traditional definition or one that is not necessarily designed to turn a profit.
If you or anyone else was in love with the idea of living on a ranch and taking care of animals as part of your day-to-day life, income be damned, it might be said that you live on a hobby ranch.
Similarly, if someone has a ranch that measures only 76 acres but is in all other regards a working and productive ranch, you might call it a hobby ranch because of its relatively diminutive size compared to some of the multi-hundred or multi-thousand acre monsters out there.
Tim is a farm boy with vast experience on homesteads, and with survival and prepping. He lives a self-reliant lifestyle along with his aging mother in a quiet and very conservative little town in Ohio. He teaches folks about security, prepping and self-sufficiency not just through his witty writing, but also in person.
Find out more about Tim and the rest of the crew here.