Shelbyville, Missouri 63469
The Thompson Ranch is located northeast of Shelbyville, Missouri in Shelby County. Shelbyville is in northeast Missouri, about 155 miles northwest of St. Louis, about 44 miles west of Quincy, Illinois. Productive, beautiful, scenic, a river running through it…those are the first thoughts when asked to describe the Thompson Ranch.
With a history dating back to 1834, it was purchased by the present owners in 1936. It has the right ingredients for a ranch: 2,200 contiguous acres, excellent pastureland for grazing and hay production, cropland, river, creek, springs, a progressively managed cattle herd and hunting. Of the 2,200 acres, approximately 300 acres are in cropland, 800 acres in pasture-hay ground and 1,100 acres in timberland. The cropland is located mostly in the river bottom areas and is leased to an area farmer. The remaining acreage is open grasslands and timberlands on rolling hills providing a balanced environment for livestock and wildlife.
Live water, ponds and a well, supply abundant water for livestock and wildlife throughout the ranch. The North River and the spring-fed Clear Creek run year-round. 16 ponds are located across the ranch. One well supplies water for the headquarters and is piped to 4, frost free water troughs. Another well has not been used.
With an annual average rainfall of about 40” and 15” of snowfall there is lush vegetation. Grass is made up mostly of timothy, fescue and big bluestem; red clover appears in the warm season. Trees and plant life thrive and include red oak, white oak and burr oak. Pastures have also been inter-seeded with clover and rye grass improving forage diversity and quality. Overall production and efficiency have consistently improved using holistic management principles as a guideline. The work has resulted in better pastures with increased stocking rates and hay production.
Hay cuttings average about 3 to 3 ½ round bales per acre, with the bales weighing 1,200-1,500 pounds each. Around 90% are haylage based. Haylage is round bale silage that typically has a higher feed value than hay, providing higher levels of digestible fiber, energy and protein
The stocking rate for pastureland is about 2.5 acres per AU. Managing progressively, the ranch receives a premium for their calves produced for a niche market. With planned improvement of the 1,100 acres of timberland, there is opportunity to increase stocking capacity while maintaining the wildlife habitat. There has been very little if any hunting but there is good opportunity with deer and wild turkey that make up part of the wildlife population.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture via the Agriculture Stewardship Assurance Program has recognized the Thompson ranch through the Missouri Agricultural Stewardship Assurance Program. It is a verification program that champions Missouri farms that are responsible stewards of the land, provide safe food for consumers, practice environmental stewardship, and use science-based technology for growing a safe and dependable feed, fuel or fiber in a socially and economic manner.
Agriculture is the number one industry in Missouri. It ranks number three in U.S. beef cow inventory, behind the states of Texas and Oklahoma and is a major feeder calf producer. As part of the agriculture community, the Thompson Ranch is a working ranch that is productive with potential for a producer or investor.
