Chad grew up in West Texas and has been in the farm and ranch real estate industry since 2000. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and a master’s degree in Land Economics and Real Estate while attending Texas A&M University, Chad began his career in farm and ranch property appraisal.
Over the years, he has specialized in valuations of various agricultural property types, emphasizing estate settlement and planning, undivided ownership interests, expert witness testimony, wildfire damages, ranch partitions, and other needs. For over 20 years, he was associated with Chas. S. Middleton and Son in Lubbock, Texas, where his practice diversified into the brokerage of farm and ranch property, with a trade area throughout Texas and New Mexico.
With vast experience and knowledge in all facets of farm and ranch real estate, Chad prides himself on the aggressive representation of buyers and sellers to maximize their return on investment. He has been blessed to have appraised and brokered several well-recognized and high-profile legacy-type ranch properties for well-known individuals and families and several of the Nation’s largest landowners.
Chad holds an Accredited Rural Appraiser Designation through the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, real estate broker’s licenses, and general appraisal certifications in Texas and New Mexico.
Chad and his wife, Kaci, reside near Lubbock, Texas.
The Y Bar O Ranch is a premier offering in the heart of Texas’s Big Bend region, uniting exceptional natural beauty, first-class infrastructure, productive ranching, and excellent recreational potential. Stretching from the scenic bottoms of Calamity Creek to the dramatic cliffs of Kokernot and Crossen Mesas, the property offers sweeping 360-degree views of Elephant Mountain, Cathedral Mountain, Mount Ord, Cienega Mountain, and Santiago Peak. Conveniently located 17 miles south of Alpine along scenic State Highway 118, the ranch lies within easy reach of Marfa, Marathon, Fort Davis, and Big Bend National Park.
The topography across the ranch is notably diverse, with rolling grassland hills in the north transitioning to elevated mesa country in the south. Elevations range from 4,050 to 5,072 feet. The land supports a healthy mix of native grasses, oak, cottonwoods, juniper, mesquite, yucca, and other desirable forbs and grasses, creating both productive grazing and striking scenery. Fenced and cross-fenced into 21± pastures with approximately ten sets of working pens, the ranch is exceptionally well-improved for efficient livestock management.
At the headquarters, “The Casa” is a finely appointed four-bedroom stucco home featuring ensuite bathrooms, radiant-heat floors, and an expansive outdoor living area with views of Cathedral Mountain. Additional structures include a manager’s home, bunkhouse, office, shops, barns, and roping arena, with a secondary camp supporting operations in the southern portion of the ranch.
Water is abundant, supplied by roughly 28 wells and an extensive network of water storages, pipelines, and drinking troughs, complemented by springs and seasonal creeks. The ranch supports diverse wildlife, including elk, mule deer, audad, mountain lion, black bear, game birds, and more.
Offering full mineral, livestock, and equipment conveyance, the Y Bar O Ranch stands as one of West Texas’s most complete and turn-key legacy ranches—an unmatched combination of beauty, function, and long-term value.
The Y Bar O Ranch encompasses a remarkably varied landscape within the Big Bend region. Its northern expanse features rolling grassland hills drained by Calamity and Sheep Creeks. These grasslands are dominated by native grasses such as grama and bluestem, and are interspersed with oaks, juniper, mesquite, catclaw, sumac, and yucca. Cottonwoods, oaks and other hardwoods thrive along the scenic creek bottoms.
Southward, the land transitions into rugged desert plains and high mesa country with elevations climbing from 4,050 feet at the southeastern boundary to 5,072 feet atop Potato Hill on Kokernot Mesa. Vegetation in this region includes creosote bush, ocotillo, and other high desert mountain-adapted flora.
The ranch is divided into 21± pastures and traps, with ten sets of working and shipping pens strategically located for livestock management. Investment in quality fencing and ranch infrastructure is evident throughout, ensuring ease of operation, long-term durability and cost savings to a potential buyer rarely seen in this market. The lack of deferred maintenance is obvious from corner to corner.
The Y Bar O Ranch exemplifies the best of the Trans-Pecos and Big Bend region. Its infrastructure has been thoughtfully developed and meticulously maintained, making it stand out even in a region known for quality ranch properties. The diversity of terrain—from the productive northern grasslands to the towering mesas in the south—offers exceptional aesthetic, operational, and recreational value. With sweeping views of some of West Texas’s most iconic landmarks and a complete suite of conveyances including minerals, livestock, and equipment, this property represents a rare opportunity to acquire a truly turn-key legacy ranch at a reasonable price point.
The Y Bar O Ranch is located along the bottoms of Calamity Creek in the north and the rugged cliffs of Kokernot and Crossen Mesas in the south, conveniently located approximately 17 linear miles south of Alpine along the west side of paved State Highway 118. It lies 25 miles northwest of Big Bend National Park, 26 miles southeast of Marfa, 22 miles southwest of Marathon, and 35 miles southeast of Fort Davis.
Travel by air is convenient via Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport (E38), which features two lighted runways: Runway 1/19 is 6,002 by 75 feet, and Runway 5/23 is 5,018 by 60 feet. Runways 19/23 are RNAV equipped. Commercial air service is available at Midland/Odessa International Airport, approximately 150 miles to the northeast and El Paso International Airport, approximately 200 miles away.
in the heart of the scenic Big Bend region of West Texas, the ranch offers panoramic views of some of the area’s most iconic geological landmarks, including Elephant Mountain, Cathedral Mountain, Mount Ord, Cienega Mountain, and Santiago Peak. The nearby town of Alpine provides essential services, including dining, shopping, and nightlife. Marfa, just to the northwest, is internationally recognized as a cultural destination, noted for its art installations, galleries, and vibrant creative community. Nearby Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, McDonald Observatory, and historic Fort Davis offer a number of recreational, sightseeing, and historical entertainment endeavors.
Brewster County enjoys a favorable climate with an average of 295 sunny days per year. January typically brings highs around 60 degrees and lows around 40 degrees, while August sees average highs of 93 degrees and lows around 72 degrees. Annual precipitation averages approximately 16 inches, largely falling between May and September. Low humidity, stable weather patterns, and abundant sunshine contribute to a comfortable, productive environment year-round.
Set in the striking Trans-Pecos region south of Alpine, this extraordinary West Texas ranch offering reflects more than six decades of thoughtful ownership and improvement by the Yarborough family. The ranch began its formation in the early 1960s, when Dub and Kay Yarborough, newly established in Midland after World War II, purchased their first 3,520± acres in 1961. Additional acquisitions followed in 1962 and 1966, creating a substantial and contiguous landholding in one of Texas’s most scenic landscapes. The ranch became a beloved retreat for the family, who spent many years enjoying its open spaces, wildlife, and mountain views.
A major transformation of the property began in 2005, when the next generation undertook a comprehensive modernization of the headquarters area. A new barn was constructed, and the outdated original ranch house was replaced with a modern residence for the ranch manager. The bunkhouse and ranch office were each enlarged, rebuilt, and brought fully up to contemporary standards. Worker housing near the headquarters was also expanded to include a remodeled three-bedroom residence, all supported by brand-new water, electrical, HVAC, and septic systems designed to meet modern city standards.
In 2011, the family completed their showcase custom home, known as “The Casa.” This exemplary residence features four private bedroom suites and is positioned to take advantage of sweeping views of Elephant Mountain and Cathedral Mountain.
Between 2011 and 2012, additional land acquisitions further unified the ranch, incorporating tracts that refined pasture boundaries and enhanced operational flow. Improvements during this period included a new three-bedroom worker residence in the Ivey Trap, a two-bedroom crew cabin, barns, and a carport/workshop designed for heavy equipment.
Blending deep family heritage with extensive upgrades, this ranch stands as a rare turn-key offering in a dramatic and highly sought-after region of Texas.
The property comprises 29,071± deeded acres.
Included in the sale is a generous inventory of equipment and all existing livestock, offering a true turn-key opportunity. A full inventory is available for review by qualified parties.
There is an exceptional gravel quarry for ranch use and an older airstrip (currently unused) marked on the historical map, if a purchaser wants to develop access for smaller planes.
The ranch headquarters is situated in the northern sector of the property and includes a finely crafted, 4,000± square-foot, four-bedroom stucco home known as “The Casa.” Each bedroom includes an ensuite bathroom, and the interior features an open-concept design uniting the living, dining, and kitchen areas. Radiant-heat flooring, rich wood accents, and an expansive outdoor living space with inspiring views of Cathedral Mountain complete the home, which will convey fully furnished.
Additional improvements at headquarters include a manager’s residence, a hand house, a bunkhouse, an office, a shop, and a game cleaning shed. Livestock infrastructure includes a horse barn, working pens, and a roping arena—all in excellent condition, well kept, and ready for immediate use.
The South Camp, with a scenic backdrop of Kokernot Mesa and front porch views of Elephant Mountain, includes a foreman’s house, a bunkhouse, a shop, and an equipment shed. These improvements are also in good condition and support daily operations on the southern half of the ranch
The ranch is exceptionally well-watered. Livestock and domestic water is provided by approximately 28± wells and water storages. The wells are a combination of windmills, solar, and electric submersible pumps. An extensive waterline network supplies numerous strategically located drinking troughs throughout the ranch. Seasonal springs, small tanks, and waterholes are found throughout the creeks, draws, and drainages, contributing to the ranch’s consistent water availability for both livestock and wildlife.
No water rights have been reserved by previous owners. All water rights will convey with the sale. The property lies within the jurisdiction of the Brewster County Groundwater Conservation District.
All fee mineral rights owned by the seller will convey. Additionally, the ranch includes approximately 12,800 acres of state mineral classified lands, in which all landowner rights will convey. While there is currently no oil or gas production on the property, securing mineral ownership is increasingly rare in Texas, adding further value to the offering.
Annual property taxes are approximately $22,500.
The Y Bar O Ranch offers outstanding wildlife habitat across its varied terrain. Trophy audad are abundant in the southern mesas, while mule deer are found throughout the ranch. Elk frequently occupy the central and northern zones. Additional wildlife includes black bear, mountain lion, javelina, dove, quail, turkey, and a range of varmints. Game management has long been prioritized under current ownership. The ranch lies directly west of the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Refuge, home to a notable population of bighorn sheep.
Beyond hunting, the ranch supports a wide range of recreational pursuits including hiking, horseback riding, ATV exploration, and stargazing. Its proximity to Big Bend National Park provides access to additional wilderness activities, while the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains offers opportunities for celestial observation. Lajitas, a historic border town located approximately 50 miles to the south, is home to the renowned Lajitas Golf Resort, further enhancing the region’s recreational appeal.
Historically, the Y Bar O Ranch has been utilized as a cow/calf operation complemented by family recreational use. The current ownership has prioritized sustainable grazing and forage management, focusing on optimizing both the quality of the grassland, the long-term ecological health of the ranch, and the quality of wildlife.
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