A Texas billionaire couple bought a 40,000-acre Nebraska ranch for $56 million; the property has a history of prominent owners, and its new owners want to build a major cattle operation

A Texas billionaire couple has bought a roughly 40,000-acre Nebraska ranch for $56 million, in what appears to be a record-high ranch sale in the state. Mark and Robyn Jones, founders of insurance brokerage Goosehead Insurance, acquired Pawnee Springs Ranch in Lincoln County, a property with a history of prominent owners, including former Nebraska governor Keith Neville and businessman Peter Kiewit. According to the Nebraska Examiner, the couple plans to maintain the ranch’s existing cattle and agricultural operations while developing a “world-class cattle operation” over several years. The purchase also reflects their wider investment interests, with plans to explore further acquisitions across Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming and Montana.What makes the $56 million Nebraska ranch ideal for cattle productionPawnee Springs Ranch is located in Lincoln County, east of North Platte, and extends from the North Platte River north into Nebraska's Sandhills. The property has nearly six miles of river frontage, nine centre pivots covering approximately 1,700 irrigated acres, calf backgrounding facilities with concrete feed bunks and an indoor-outdoor arena. Its landscape includes fertile river-bottom land and native Sandhills rangeland, which also provides habitat for deer, turkey and waterfowl.Mark Johnson of Hall and Hall, the agricultural real estate company that represented both parties in the transaction, described the property as exemplifying the top qualities of a Nebraska Sandhills river ranch. The ranch already has approximately 2,500 mother cows, alongside its irrigation infrastructure, grassland and river corridors. Mark Jones told the Nebraska Examiner that he wanted an operation focused on “actual agricultural production”, with the property's existing resources supporting the couple's plans for beef production.What is the history of Nebraska’s Pawnee Springs RanchPawnee Springs Ranch has a history dating back to 1918, and its previous owners include former Nebraska governor Keith Neville and construction businessman Peter Kiewit. Kiewit purchased the operation in 1949. He once told the North Platte Telegraph that the ranch took its name from the natural springs that flowed through the area.The Gottsch family became involved with the ranch in 1985, initially leasing the property before eventually purchasing it. The family subsequently operated it as part of its wider agricultural business, which has interests across Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Texas. In a statement following the sale, the Gottsches said the ranch had been part of their family for 41 years and recalled three generations participating in spring branding, summer grazing and autumn and winter calf backgrounding. They also thanked the Boeshart family caretakers and neighbouring ranchers who helped during branding season.What are the new owners’ plans for Pawnee Springs RanchThe new owners intend to retain the ranch's existing agricultural activities while building a larger 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 work, including raising calves from birth until weaning and returning them to grass as yearlings. The operation will also continue running its agricultural irrigation pivots.The transition will include retaining the three cowboys who currently live and work on the property. Langston said a new manager would be recruited to replace the existing manager, who is leaving with the Gottsch family. He also described the purchase as a “long-term commitment to the area” and said the owners intended to hire local workers where possible, work with neighbouring landowners and contribute to the local community. The couple does not plan to live in Nebraska but expects to maintain an active presence in the area.How did Mark and Robyn Jones build their $2 billion fortuneMark and Robyn Jones built their fortune through their involvement in Goosehead Insurance, the publicly traded 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 its chair and vice-chair, respectively. Forbes estimated their combined net worth at $2 billion, with Robyn Jones also appearing on its 2025 list of America's richest self-made women entrepreneurs.The Nebraska purchase follows their acquisition of Flathead Ridge Ranch in Montana in 2021, a 125,000-acre property that the couple describes as a family legacy investment. Their approach to that ranch has focused on conservation, forest restoration and maintaining public recreational access across most of the property. By contrast, Pawnee Springs Ranch is intended to serve as a commercial agricultural enterprise. Mark Jones told the Nebraska Examiner that the Nebraska operation “will be a platform we can build on”, with the couple looking towards further investments in Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming and Montana. He also said the opportunity for their grandchildren to work on the ranch was an important attraction of the purchase.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.