Auction: Trusler Foundation - 2,700 +/- Acres - Chase County, Kansas

Vaughn-Roth Land Brokers is honored to represent the interests of the Trusler Foundation with the sale of this iconic pasture located in the heart of the Flint Hills between Cottonwood Falls and Matfield Green in Chase County, Kansas. This property is a top-shelf representation of the unparalleled quality that makes the Flint Hills region the envy of beef producers nationwide. Featuring a robust, resilient and unbroken stand of native grass, good fences, abundant water, an excellent location and cattle handling infrastructure, this is an opportunity to add the finest of the Flint Hills to your land holdings! Located just off of Highway 177 that traverses the epicenter of the Flint Hills eco-region of Chase County, this tract totals 2,700 acres, more or less. Situated approximately 11 miles south of Cottonwood Falls and 4 miles north of Matfield Green, this oasis on the plains has convenient access but provides a feeling of solitude and tranquility that can’t be adequately described without experiencing it for yourself. Featuring a substantial rolling topography and elevation changes from the prairie vistas to the spring-fed draws, this pasture is the epitome of both Flint Hills aesthetics and production. The native plant community throughout the property is in tremendous condition, especially for being near the end of the summer grazing season. This is a tribute to the management of the trustees of the Trusler Foundation and the grazing tenant whose care and passion for the property is very evident. We tip our hats to all of them for the stewardship they have provided which will greatly benefit the new owner in its next chapter. Big Bluestem is the crown jewel of the “Big 4” Flint Hills grasses and there’s a dominant population of it here. Desirable Indiangrass and Switchgrass make up the majority of the balance of the native landscape with an attractive complement of Gama and Grama varieties, mainly being Sideoats, as well as a nutritive and indicative population of native legumes. From high-protein and palatable Illinois Bundleflower to native Leadplant, a prime indicator of pasture health, you don’t want to overlook the supporting cast on this productive pasture. All of this combines to provide the resilient grasslands that can thrive during periods of drought, continuing to put pounds on your steers, while tame grass varieties wilt sadly in their weakness. The barbed wire boundary and division fences are also an impressive feature and have been well-maintained. The entirety of the west boundary fence is 5 strand rated good to very good. The north boundary fence is 4 and 5 strand rated good to very good. The entirety of the south boundary fence is 5 strand rated mostly from good to very good with a stretch of new. The majority of the east boundary is very good to excellent with a small section rated good. The main interior division fence runs east/west and is 5 strand rated good. In regard to interior fences and the resulting grass traps they create, they are good quality and adequately serviceable for those who would like to rotate cattle between traps in the spirit of stewardship, convenience and productive gains. As stated previously, the main interior division fence runs east/west creating a north pasture of approximately 1,200 acres and a south pasture containing approximately 1,300 acres with the balance in the trap nearest Hwy 177. There are multiple wing fences to help facilitate movement of cattle between the pastures as well as the trap that feeds to the catchpens at the northeast corner that’s located less than 1,000 ft. from the pavement of Hwy 177. The trap narrows as it progresses north where it’s partially intersected by a wing that guides the cattle into well-constructed pipe pens with alley and stout loadout chute. Grass management and cattle handling were well thought out when these interior fences and pens were built. Again, we tip our hat to the past operators and stewards of this incredible property! Please refer to the “Related Documents” section of this listing located below the description on our website to access the aerial map. Livestock water is provided by multiple ponds and natural springs that flow through the draws. The ponds in the north and south pastures are substantial with the main pond in the north pasture encompassing approximately 6 acres and the pond in the south pasture being approximately 4 acres. Again, there are multiple spring-fed drainages meandering through much of the property and have been a productive source of clean, fresh water over the years according to the tenant. Speaking of the tenant, we would like to recognize the Phipps family, who has been leasing this property for over 40 years and has included two generations of Phipps’ at the helm. Specifically, we have worked with Andy Phipps during this auction process and want to extend our sincere gratitude for his cooperation and continued care for the property. The possibility of losing a leased pasture of this size and quality stings and can often lead to bitterness and unwillingness to cooperate. Andy has been nothing but a class act throughout. He’s made sure the pasture isn’t overgrazed and has continued to do little things to improve infrastructure that he certainly didn’t have to do. I want to convey Andy’s strong desire to continue to lease this pasture if the new owner plans to lease it out. His work and care are obvious and we couldn’t be more appreciative. For those of you seeking an absolute top-shelf Flint Hills property, the level of quality offered here is self-evident and readily apparent. This is truly an iconic and often envied property, the caliber of which rarely comes to the public market. A potential once-in-a-lifetime property is being offered for your consideration and opportunity is knocking. Please join us for this auction and come prepared to buy because it’s going to have a new owner. It’s very possible that it may not change hands for another hundred years! For further information or to set up a tour, please contact Cameron Roth at 785-917-0867. Auction Details: This auction will begin at 12:00 p.m. on 8/25/2026 for the online portion. The live portion will begin at 6:00 p.m. on 8/27/2026 at the Swope Park Community Building located at 1715 210 Rd, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. Driving Directions from Cottonwood Falls: Take Hwy 177 south for 10.7 miles and turn west. Proceed 1/16th of a mile and the property is on the south side. Look for the signs! Legal Description: See the preliminary title commitment within the “Related Documents” section of this listing on our website for the full legal description. Closing & Possession: Possession shall be at closing, on or before September 29, 2026. Earnest Money: $350,000.00 Property Taxes: $12,383.30 Minerals: Any mineral interest belonging to the Seller shall transfer to the Buyer. There is no active mineral production on the subject real estate. There is a partial mineral reservation from 1954 showing on the preliminary title commitment. An affidavit of non-production shall be filed on any applicable expired mineral leases. The preliminary title commitment is provided for your review and contained within the “Related Documents” section of this listing on our website. Disclosure: As always, this author did not use the aid of AI in writing this property description. When you’re selling real estate this good, you don’t need it! Disclaimer: Yellow boundary property lines in the pictures are approximated for reference only. Please refer to the aerial map provided by the Chase County Appraiser's office in reference to property lines.