Though billionaires and multi-millionaires are acquiring some Wyoming land, many ranches and farms are selling to working ag families wishing to expand operations for a variety of reasons. Among them are spreading out expenses, boosting cash flow and making way for the next generation.

Following are three recent sales:

Southeast Wyoming

A 2,278-acre combination ranch/farm in Goshen County near Jay Em sold for $1.2 million, or $526 per acre.

The buyers are an area ranch family trying to expand their outfit, and this was a good add-on because it’s fairly close to their existing ranch, says Paul Schadegg, Wyoming farm manager for Farmers National Co.

GREEN ACRES: A Wyoming family expanded their agricultural operation by acquiring this farm/ranch near the small town of Jay Em.

They used a combination of cash and loans to complete the deal.

Schadegg described the place as being in good condition (both the grass and irrigation systems).

Stock wells and pipeline distribute water to a portion of the ranch, while a late model pivot-irrigation system irrigates cropland used to grow feed and provide winter grazing. There were no other improvements on the land.

Annual taxes are about $3,450.

The land was owned by two out-of-state business partners who leased the place out.

“They are land investors who determined it was time to exit this particular investment because they reached their goals,” Schadegg says.

The sellers also parted with a nearby agricultural operation in Sioux County, Neb.

Northeast Wyoming

Local rancher Robert Wagner bought 770 acres of grassland between Sundance and Moorcroft to add to his existing ranch lands.

The original asking price was $962,500 ($1,250 per acre), but was reduced to $616,000 ($800/acre).

“It sold for close to the asking price of $616,000,” says Pat Donahue, owner of Sundance-based Western Properties.

The land offers good grazing for cattle. Included are two reservoirs and electrical service, but no building improvements.

Southeast Wyoming

A local farm couple used a cash and loan combination to buy the 384-acre Smith Farm near Hawk Springs as an add-on to their existing operation, says Jerry Burnett, owner of Burnett Farm and Ranch and a broker with Coldwell Banker in Cheyenne, Wyo.

The asking price was $550,000, or $1,432 per acre (the selling price was not disclosed).

The farm includes irrigated acreage that has been planted into wheat and also a healthy grassland grazed by cattle.

The transaction came with 277 shares of Horse Creek Conservation District water rights. Burnett says these are good rights during good water years, but not during periods of drought.

One of the owners of the Smith Farm passed away, and the family decided to sell the land, he says.