The Pawnee Springs Ranch sale has brought a roughly 40,000-acre Nebraska property under the ownership of Texas billionaire couple Mark and Robyn Jones for $56 million. The acquisition appears to set a record for ranch sales in the state, according to reports.
The couple founded Goosehead Insurance, a publicly traded insurance brokerage. They plan to retain the ranch’s existing cattle and agricultural activities while developing a larger beef production operation over several years.
Located in Lincoln County, east of North Platte, the property has a history of prominent owners, including former Nebraska governor Keith Neville and businessman Peter Kiewit.
According to the Nebraska Examiner, the buyers are also exploring further acquisitions across Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming and Montana.
Pawnee Springs Ranch sale includes extensive cattle infrastructure
Pawnee Springs Ranch stretches from the North Platte River into Nebraska’s Sandhills. The property has nearly six miles of river frontage, nine centre-pivot irrigation systems covering about 1,700 irrigated acres, calf backgrounding facilities and an indoor-outdoor arena.
Its landscape combines fertile river-bottom land with native Sandhills grassland. The property also provides habitat for deer, turkey and waterfowl.
The ranch already supports approximately 2,500 mother cows, alongside infrastructure for irrigation and livestock management.
Mark Johnson of agricultural real estate firm Hall and Hall, which represented both parties in the transaction, described the property as an example of the key characteristics of a Nebraska Sandhills river ranch.
Mark Jones told the Nebraska Examiner that he wanted the operation to focus on actual agricultural production. The property’s existing land, water resources and livestock facilities will support the couple’s plans for beef production.
Ranch history dates back to 1918
Pawnee Springs Ranch traces its history to 1918. Peter Kiewit acquired the operation in 1949, while the Gottsch family became involved in 1985, initially leasing the property before eventually purchasing it.
The ranch takes its name from natural springs that flow through the area, according to accounts by previous owner Kiewit cited in local reporting.
The Gottsch family operated the ranch as part of its wider agricultural business, with interests across Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Texas.
In a statement following the sale, the family said the property had been part of its family for 41 years. Three generations had participated in seasonal activities, including spring branding, summer grazing and autumn and winter calf backgrounding.
The family also acknowledged the contributions of the Boeshart family caretakers and neighbouring ranchers who supported operations during branding season.
New owners plan to expand beef production
The Jones family intends to maintain the ranch’s existing operations while developing its beef production business over several years.
Ryan Langston, Mark Jones’s son-in-law and the ranch’s new chief executive, said the property would largely continue its current activities. These include raising calves from birth until weaning, followed by returning them to grass as yearlings.
The ranch’s irrigation systems will also remain part of its agricultural operations.
The transition is expected to retain the three cowboys currently living and working on the property. A new manager will be recruited to replace the outgoing manager, who is leaving with the Gottsch family.
Langston described the acquisition as a long-term commitment to the region. The owners intend to hire locally where possible, work with neighbouring landowners and contribute to the surrounding community.
Although the couple does not plan to live in Nebraska, it expects to maintain an active presence at the ranch.
Goosehead Insurance founders expand ranch investments
Mark and Robyn Jones built their wealth through Goosehead Insurance, the insurance brokerage they founded and developed together. The company connects customers with providers of home, motor, flood and other insurance products.
The couple continues to serve as the company’s chair and vice-chair, respectively. Forbes has estimated their combined net worth at $2 billion.
The Nebraska acquisition follows their 2021 purchase of Flathead Ridge Ranch in Montana, a property spanning approximately 125,000 acres. The couple has described that acquisition as a family legacy investment, with an emphasis on conservation, forest restoration and maintaining public recreational access across most of the property.
Pawnee Springs Ranch, by contrast, is intended to operate as a commercial agricultural enterprise.
Mark Jones told the Nebraska Examiner that the Nebraska property could provide a platform for further expansion. He also cited the opportunity for their grandchildren to work on the ranch as an important attraction.
The acquisition adds a substantial agricultural asset to the couple’s ranch portfolio, with future investment plans extending across several US states.
