Just 5 miles east of Malta, Montana, with highway frontage off Old Highway 2, the East Malta Irrigated Farm & Ranch is a standout agricultural operation spanning 1,203 deeded acres. Owned by the Hould family, this productive and well-managed property has long served as the backbone of a successful feed program for decades. With 586+/- acres of irrigated land, this is some of the most proven and high-yielding ground in all of Phillips County. The rest of the acreage consists of 193.2 acres of quality non-irrigated farmland acres and 387 acres of native grass.
Acreage Breakdown:
● Irrigated Land: 586.1 acres
● Farmland (non-irrigated): 193.2 acres
● Native Grass: 387 acres
The irrigated acres are currently seeded in a productive 50/50 split of corn and alfalfa. Annual production averages a reliable 28 tons per acre for corn and no less than 7 tons per acre on alfalfa. Gated pipe irrigation delivers efficient, low-labor water management across the field systems. This property has been the engine of the Hould family’s feed and cattle program for years—proven ground with proven results.
Improvements:
Main Residence
● 3 Bed / 1 Bath
● 1,368 sq ft main floor + 936 sq ft basement
● Gas heat, central A/C
● Updated windows and siding
Labor House
● 2 Bed / 1 Bath
● 684 sq ft main + 351 sq ft upper
● Updated windows and siding
● Gas heat
Outbuildings & Infrastructure:
● (2) Detached Garages: 24x24 and 19x24
● 15 ft Grain Bin
● 52x40 Hip Roof Barn with 12 livestock pens and hay loft
● (3) Pole Barns: 12x26, 12x24, 16x48
● 30x30 Implement Shop
● Certified Fairbanks Scale
● (3) Propane Tanks (leased from Ezzie’s)
While some seasonal flooding occurs on the western edge due to the Black Coulee drainage, it has not impacted production or overall usability.
Recreational Appeal:
Bordering the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge corridor, the property offers a unique hunting experience with healthy populations of geese, upland birds, mule deer, and whitetail. The irrigated cornfields are a magnet for waterfowl, adding a layer of recreational and outfitting potential to this already premier operation.
Tanner Anderson
