Highly developed livestock property south of Merritt with exceptional water, including a major groundwater well & irrigation licence. 3 pivots irrigate 105± acres. Strong hay production & a custom feed yard that has historically supported 1,000± head. 2± km of river frontage
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This highly developed and exceptionally well-maintained agricultural property is located just south of Merritt, BC and is currently utilized by Kingsvale Cattle Co. as a custom livestock feeding operation. The existing use demonstrates the capability of the property and improvements, and a purchaser could potentially continue a similar custom feeding business, establish their own cattle operation, or utilize the facility as a satellite feeding and forage-production base to supplement an existing ranch or dairy enterprise.
One of the property's strongest attributes is its water. The ranch benefits from one major groundwater well reportedly capable of approximately 500-600 gallons per minute. The seller advises that professional hydrological testing determined the well is not connected to the Coldwater River, allowing irrigation to continue through periods of drought and low river flow. Two active groundwater licence applications provide for private irrigation use of 313,000 m3 per year and livestock and animal use of 11,000 m3 per year. The ranch also benefits from Conditional Water Licence 118893 on the Coldwater River, with a priority date of June 30, 1929. The licence authorizes irrigation from April 1 to September 30, with a maximum diversion of 79.5 acre-feet per year. The seller advises that the associated water-rights map permits this licensed volume to be applied to lands between Peterson Road and the Coldwater River, rather than limiting use to a fixed 31.8-acre block. In practice, river water is used across the approximately 105 acres of irrigated land during the spring until the licensed volume is utilized, after which irrigation of the hay land transitions to the groundwater well.
Three irrigation pivots service approximately 105 acres, with the property typically producing three cuts and approximately 600 tons of high-quality hay annually. The current operation utilizes the hay internally and supplements it with purchased grass, grain and other feed commodities.
The feed yard has historically supported approximately 1,000 head with additional pen infrastructure. Kingsvale Cattle Co. services three consistent custom-feeding clients and handles a mix of beef/dairy crosses, young dairy cattle grown to approximately 700 pounds, and conventional beef cattle. This existing use highlights the versatility and scale of the livestock infrastructure.
Improvements include three major cow barns measuring approximately 102' x 184', 56' x 200' and 64' x 200', along with a 41' x 136' covered feed lane, commodity shed, two hay sheds, grain bins, metal-rail pens, corrals, chutes and an Arrowquip squeeze with scale. The largest barn also includes CowScout monitoring hardware.
Concrete feed lines, heated automatic waterers, a 32' x 100' covered bedding pack, heated veterinary room and pump house, on-demand hot water, propane backup generation and a 32' x 28' insulated and heated shop support efficient year-round livestock operations.
A covered Wood-Mizer sawmill setup provides additional utility for ranch maintenance and improvements. On the east side of Peterson Road, approximately 120 acres includes access to a private gravel source that has historically been used for riprap and ranch projects, with further development potential subject to applicable permitting and approvals.
The property also enjoys approximately 2 kilometres of Coldwater River frontage, with excellent access from the residence and attractive swimming areas. Crown land borders the ranch on three separate sides, adding to the sense of space surrounding the operation. The two-bedroom, two-bath ranch home is clean and comfortable and includes a full basement with exterior access.
The overall operation is in excellent condition, with predominantly metal-clad buildings, metal roofing and concrete foundations. Strategically located south of Merritt, the property is well positioned to support Interior cattle operations while also offering value as a feeding location for livestock originating from the Lower Mainland.
With productive irrigated land, exceptional groundwater potential, substantial livestock capacity and extensive feeding infrastructure already in place, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a highly capable agricultural property suited to a wide range of cattle and livestock uses.
2321 Peterson Road - Coldwater, BC
Contact the listing agent.
The Coldwater area, immediately south of Merritt, sits within one of British Columbia’s most established cattle-ranching regions. The surrounding Nicola Valley has a long agricultural history built around cow-calf operations, hay production and large working ranches, while the Coldwater corridor itself provides productive valley-bottom lands with access to water, forage and major transportation routes.
From a livestock perspective, the location is particularly strategic. Merritt sits at a natural crossroads between the Thompson-Nicola and Cariboo cattle regions to the north, the Okanagan to the east, and the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland dairy sector to the southwest. This makes the Coldwater area well positioned for cattle movement, custom feeding, backgrounding and forage production serving both Interior beef producers and Lower Mainland dairy operations.
Highway 5 provides direct north-south access through the region, while connections through Merritt link the property efficiently with Kamloops, Cache Creek, the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland. For an intensive livestock operation, that central position is a major advantage—combining the agricultural character of the Nicola Valley with practical access to several of BC’s most important cattle and dairy-producing regions.
The Coldwater and Nicola Valley area offers excellent year-round recreation in addition to its agricultural appeal. The Coldwater River provides fishing, swimming and scenic river access, while the surrounding valleys, grasslands and forested uplands offer opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, ATV use, hunting and wildlife viewing.
Nearby Merritt is widely known for its surrounding lakes and outdoor lifestyle, with numerous fishing and boating destinations throughout the Nicola Valley. The region is also popular for mountain biking, camping, snowmobiling and backcountry recreation, making it an attractive setting for both working ranch families and those seeking a strong rural lifestyle component.
The property's approximately 2 kilometres of Coldwater River frontage further enhances its recreational value, providing direct access to a scenic natural corridor immediately alongside the working ranch operation.
The Coldwater and Nicola Valley region has a long history shaped by ranching, transportation and resource development. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Nicola Valley had become one of British Columbia’s important cattle-producing districts, with large ranches established across the surrounding grasslands and valleys.
Ranching became a defining part of the local economy, supported by abundant grazing country, hay production and access to water. Over time, forestry, mining and transportation also contributed to the growth of Merritt as the commercial and service centre for the surrounding ranching region.
The Coldwater corridor south of Merritt developed as an important transportation route linking the Nicola Valley with southern British Columbia. Today, the area retains its strong agricultural character while benefiting from modern highway access and continued proximity to some of the province’s most important cattle-producing regions.
49°56'57.84"N and 120°55'16.86"W
$1,210 (2026)
RL-1
DISTRICT LOT 306, YALE DIV OF YALE LAND DISTRICT, EXCEPT PLAN A253, & EXC PL KAP46403 KAP46044 & KAP86375
PID 014-670-691
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Our property descriptions and geographical information are taken from the BC Assessment Authority, Land Titles Office, government maps and other sources. While LandQuest® does not guarantee the information, we believe it to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.
Merritt
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