Pure Paradise
A Texas couple trades the suburbs for country living and longhorn cattle.
Four years ago, Dean and Sandra Whitlock decided to trade their suburban home for remote country life west of Fort Worth, Texas. At first, they missed shopping centers, restaurants and other big-city conveniences. Not anymore. Now the Whitlocks only leave their Rockin W Ranch near Mingus long enough to run errands. “We’ve even decided we don’t need to travel,” Dean says. “Why bother? Our place is pure paradise to us.”
Empty nesters
For 13 years, the couple and their four children lived in the Dallas suburb of Rockwall. To get to work, Dean commuted two hours to their sandstone quarry in Erath County — one of two quarries and other companies they own. After their youngest child left home in 2016, the Whitlocks searched and searched for land to buy near their stone business. Then a friend told them about 250 acres less than 7 miles from the quarry. Dean drove out to look at the property. Past the entrance gate, grassy pastures stretched before him, then rose 100 feet to an expansive plateau. The ranch property included two houses, two barns and a swimming pool. One home atop the plateau offered stunning views. “The place just felt right,” Dean says. “I called my wife, and she said buy it! Twenty minutes later, I texted the owner back and made a deal.”
Ag lending specialist
At first, the couple considered a traditional bank loan. Then they heard about a lender that specializes in ag-related financing. “A commissioner here recommended AgTrust Farm Credit,” Dean says. “I met with office president Gerrit Schouten, and we closed on the land in March 2017. The next year, when we built our new modern ranch-style home, AgTrust was there for us.” The Whitlocks partnered with the rural lending cooperative again in August 2020, when they bought 50 adjoining acres. “Everyone at AgTrust Farm Credit is so welcoming and enthusiastic,” he says. “They’re genuine folks who want to help people accomplish their dreams.”
Top-notch longhorn herd
As new landowners, the Whitlocks wanted to keep their property in agricultural use. When a family member suggested raising longhorn cattle, Dean liked the idea. Long valued as Texas icons, the cattle are prized for their extremely long horns, which can measure 90 inches or more from tip to tip. They’re docile and tough, too.
In June 2017, the Whitlocks bought six registered Texas longhorns from breeder Stacey Schumacher, who recently was elected to the AgTrust Farm Credit board of directors. They could have raised the animals as pets, like many owners do. But Dean wanted to develop a top-notch herd. With that goal in focus, he researched the longhorn cattle business and hired a consultant. “I’ve always believed that if you do something, then do it the very best you can,” he says.
Longhorn renaissance
Today Whitlock Longhorns includes a herd of 60 longhorn cattle that boast world-class genetics. Barely five years into their operation, the Whitlocks have already earned a reputation as outstanding breeders. In October 2020, they won the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association Grand Champion Female Award. In March 2021, they showed the highest-selling heifer at the Texas Longhorn Legacy Sale in Grapevine. “Longhorns are seeing a huge renaissance in activity and prices,” Dean says. “Many longhorn cows have sold in the past 18 months for six figures. It’s exciting to be a part of that. We also love the camaraderie in this business. People are so thoughtful and encouraging.”
Family and community
Slower-paced days and wide-open spaces on the couple’s Rockin W Ranch convinced family members to leave their hectic suburbs, as well. Today Sandra’s parents and two of Dean’s siblings and their families either have homes on the ranch or live nearby. Sons Michael, Zack and Collin, and Collin’s wife, Ashley, also live on the property and work for family businesses. Daughter Alex Whitlock still lives in Rockwall.
“As a big family, we get together three or four times a week to share a meal or play games,” Dean says. “It’s been great.” Occasionally, he and Sandra drive 10 minutes away to Gordon, which boasts 550 residents. “Last week, the postmaster wanted to see our vacation pictures,” Dean says. “The UPS man saw me and gave me our packages. Then the owner of Gordon Hardware walked across the street and handed me my order. That just doesn’t happen in a big city. “The country lifestyle is so powerful, real and enriching. It makes all the difference in the world. Sometimes I can’t believe we ever lived in the city.”
Visit whitlocklonghorns.com for more information