Keating Pivot Farm

Description

The Keating Pivot Farm is located approximately 16 miles northeast of Baker City, Oregon in the Keating Valley. The total size of the farm is 146 acres. Baker County Planning Department has approved an application for a farm dwelling just north of the pivot. Currently, 100 acres are planted with corn, 8 acres of fescue grass, and 17 acres of alfalfa. The soil is mapped primarily as a Baker Silt Loam 0-2% slopes. There is also Powval Silt Loam and Virtue Silt Loam soils within the farm. These soils are moderately deep and well drained. Combined with a longer growing season and good water rights, this soil is mapped by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Prime Farmland. Such soils have properties that are favorable for the economic production of sustained high yields of crops. Historical production averages 5 ton/ac for alfalfa and 20 ton/ac of corn silage. Water is supplied through the Basche Ditch. Water is applied to the crops through a combination of a pivot and a wheel line. The 2016 Reinke pivot is pressured by a 40hp Berkley pump producing 1,000 gal/min. The wheel-line is a Western 4" line with tall wheels, and a Briggs & Stratton motor that is 4 years old. Annual power is approximately $3,000 per year. Most of the farmland was historically land smoothed so the fields are relatively flat. Irrigation District assessment to the farm in 2021 was $3,300.00. Irrigation season typically begins April 15 and typically ends mid-September. Three phase power exists to the farm. Good paved roads provide year round access to the property. The corn is fertilized and the cost is approximately $25,000.00. The alfalfa is not fertilized.