Landowner Insider

Are you paying more for insurance while receiving less coverage?

In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock welcomes Brandon Carrell, co-owner of BC Insurance of Texas in Stephenville, for a practical conversation about homeowners insurance, farm and ranch coverage, liability, and the changing insurance landscape.

With more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Brandon explains why understanding the details of your policy matters just as much as the premium you're paying.

Kasey and Brandon discuss rising insurance costs, roof replacement deductibles, liability protection, and the differences between standard homeowners insurance and coverage designed for working farms and ranches.

Brandon also shares real-world examples of how insurance decisions can affect property owners financially, including a homeowner whose potential roof replacement costs could have increased significantly under a cheaper policy.

The conversation covers insurance considerations for livestock, horses, trucks, trailers, ranch employees, hunting operations, ATVs, and additional properties.

Topics discussed:

• Rising homeowners and ranch insurance premiums

• Changes to roof coverage and deductibles

• Understanding insurance exclusions and coverage limits

• Homeowners insurance versus farm and ranch insurance

• Liability risks associated with owning rural property

• Equine and livestock insurance considerations

• Coverage for trucks, trailers, and ranch equipment

• Umbrella insurance and additional liability protection

• Ranch employees, hunting operations, and recreational use

• Reviewing multiple policies for potential coverage gaps

• Why the cheapest policy isn't always the best value

Whether you're a homeowner, Texas landowner, rancher, farmer, or business owner, this episode provides insight into evaluating insurance coverage and asking informed questions about protecting your property and assets.

About Brandon Carrell

Brandon is owner of BC Insurance of Texas, a family-owned independent insurance agency based in Stephenville, Texas. He specializes in farm and ranch insurance and has more than two decades of experience in the industry.

Learn more: https://www.bcinsurancetx.com

About Landowner Insider

Hosted by Kasey Mock and presented by Mock Ranches Group, Landowner Insider features conversations about Texas land ownership, ranching, real estate, business, and the people serving rural communities.

Learn more: https://www.mockranches.com

What does the future hold for the American church, and what does it truly mean to follow Jesus in today's world?

In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock welcomes Pastor Ryan Hurt of Lingleville Baptist Church near Stephenville, Texas, for a conversation about Christianity in America, spiritual revival, biblical faith, and the challenges facing the church.

Together, they discuss declining church attendance, the influence of religious traditions, political and cultural division, and the importance of reaching the next generation.

Pastor Ryan shares his perspective on why genuine faith requires more than religious routine, the difference between confession and repentance, and what it means to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Kasey and Ryan also explore the possibility of another great awakening in America, lessons from the Book of Judges, and why Christians should approach the world with faith rather than fear.

Topics discussed:

• The future of Christianity and the American church

• Declining church attendance and changing congregations

• Reaching the next generation of believers

• The possibility of spiritual revival in America

• Religion versus a relationship with Jesus Christ

• The difference between confession and repentance

• Faith, politics, and cultural division

• Biblical lessons from the Book of Judges

• Overcoming fear and complacency in Christian life

• Understanding salvation and God's love

• The responsibility of Christians in their communities

Pastor Ryan also shares his thoughts on church leadership, discipleship, and the opportunities he sees for Christians to live out their faith in an increasingly complex world.

Whether you're involved in church leadership, exploring Christianity, or reflecting on your own faith, this episode invites a deeper conversation about the church, its challenges, and its future.

About the Guest

Pastor Ryan Hurt serves at Lingleville Baptist Church near Stephenville, Texas.

About the Podcast

Hosted by Kasey Mock and presented by Mock Ranches Group, Landowner Insider features meaningful conversations about Texas, faith, leadership, business, ranching, and the people shaping our communities.

Learn more at https://www.mockranches.com

What makes one Texas ranch worth a premium while another struggles to attract buyers?

In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock and Max Ramsey, Director of Operations at Mock Ranches, discuss the Texas ranch market, changing buyer expectations, and the role ranch management plays in property value.

From South Texas to the Hill Country, they explore why well-maintained, market-ready ranches can attract stronger interest while overpriced properties or ranches requiring significant improvements may sit on the market.

The conversation also covers the day-to-day realities of ranch ownership, including whitetail deer management, supplemental feeding, water, brush clearing, fire mitigation, and operating expenses.

Kasey and Max discuss how these decisions affect a ranch's usability, presentation, and appeal to prospective buyers.

Topics discussed:

• What makes a Texas ranch worth a premium

• Why buyers are becoming more selective

• Pricing and preparing ranches for sale

• Whitetail deer management and herd balance

• Protein, cottonseed, and supplemental feeding

• Wildlife management on smaller properties

• Strategic brush clearing and showing routes

• Fire mitigation and ongoing ranch maintenance

• Ranch operating costs and improvements

• How interest rates and deal structures affect ranch transactions

Whether you're buying, selling, or managing Texas land, this episode offers insight into the relationship between responsible ranch ownership and real estate value.

Follow Landowner Insider for conversations about Texas ranches, land management, real estate, agriculture, and the people behind the land.

What separates a profitable Texas land deal from one that looks good on paper but falls apart after closing?

In this episode of Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with land investor and developer Brodrick Norman for a wide-ranging conversation about buying, developing, financing, and selling rural Texas land.

Brodrick shares how his background took him from playing football at West Point and serving in the Army to Wall Street, real estate investing, land development, and ranching. Today, his approach to land starts with one fundamental idea: understand the exit before determining what you're willing to pay.

Kasey and Brodrick break down leverage, seller financing, feasibility periods, county subdivision regulations, roads, water, septic requirements, development costs, and the questions investors and brokers should be asking before a property ever closes.

Brodrick also shares the story behind one of his best deals—a 240-acre property in Terrell purchased for approximately $1.5 million. Through a unique structure with the seller and changing market conditions, the property ultimately produced a seven-figure profit without being developed.

In this episode:

• How Brodrick evaluates a land deal before buying
• Why experienced investors start with the exit
• A 240-acre, approximately $1.5 million Texas land deal
• How that transaction ultimately produced a seven-figure profit
• Why seller financing can't make a bad deal good
• How leverage can change the economics of a land investment
• Feasibility periods, earnest money, and extensions
• Why roads, water, septic, and county regulations matter
• Subdividing rural Texas land
• How development costs affect raw land value
• The changing regulatory environment across Texas counties
• Knowing when to walk away from a deal
• Why relationships matter between investors, brokers, lenders, and landowners
• The difference between a land problem and a money problem
• What continued Texas growth could mean for rural land

Whether you're a Texas landowner, investor, developer, broker, or simply interested in the business behind rural real estate, this conversation offers a practical look at how land deals are evaluated from acquisition through exit.

Follow Landowner Insider for conversations about Texas land, ranching, real estate, investing, business, and the people shaping the future of land ownership.

What happens when a transmission line route is selected across your ranch?

For Texas landowners, that can begin an entirely different process involving eminent domain, property access, easements, condemnation, compensation, and potential impacts to the value of the remaining property.

In this episode of The Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with trial attorneys Steve Harrison and Justin Presnal of Harrison Davis to discuss what landowners should understand when a transmission line affects their ranch or rural property.

They walk through what can happen after a route is selected, how the condemnation process works, how compensation may be evaluated, and why the impact to the property outside the actual right-of-way can be an important part of the conversation.

They also discuss landowner rights when utility companies need access to survey property, when legal representation may become appropriate, and how a transmission line can affect the future use, marketability, and value of a ranch.

In this episode:

• What happens after a transmission line route is selected
• Eminent domain and the Texas condemnation process
• What landowners should know about utility offers
• Compensation for transmission line easements
• Why damages to the remainder of a property can matter
• Landowner rights when survey crews request access
• When a landowner may consider involving an attorney
• How transmission lines can affect ranch value and marketability
• What landowners should understand before negotiations begin
• The growing demand behind new Texas transmission infrastructure

If your property is located near a proposed or approved transmission line project, understanding the process before negotiations begin can help you better understand your options and the decisions ahead.

Learn more about Steve Harrison, Justin Presnal: https://www.thetriallawyers.com

Follow The Landowner Insider for conversations about Texas land, property rights, ranching, agriculture, real estate, and the issues affecting landowners across the state.

Texas land prices remain near record highs—but fewer properties are changing hands. So what is actually happening in the Texas land market in 2026?

In this episode of The Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock breaks down the latest Texas land market data and what it means for landowners, buyers, and sellers across the state.

While land values remain strong and are up year over year, transaction volume has slowed and buyers have become more selective. That creates a very different market depending on the property. Well-positioned ranches can still generate strong interest, while average or overpriced properties may sit longer and ultimately require a price adjustment.

Kasey looks beyond the statewide numbers to explain the regional differences shaping the farm and ranch market and the outside factors influencing land values, including interest rates, drought conditions, cattle prices, water, and rising operating costs.

In this episode:

• What the latest Texas land market data is showing
• Why land prices can rise while transaction volume falls
• Why buyers have more leverage in the current market
• What separates properties that are selling from those sitting on the market
• Which Texas regions are showing strength and where the market is softer
• How interest rates are affecting land transactions
• The impact of drought, cattle prices, water, and operating costs
• Why pricing correctly matters more in a selective market
• What sellers should understand before listing a ranch
• What buyers should know before making their next move

Whether you're considering selling a ranch, looking to buy Texas land, or simply trying to understand where the market is headed, this episode provides a practical look at the numbers behind today's Texas land market.

Learn more about Mock Ranches and explore Texas land and ranch properties at mockranches.com.

Follow The Landowner Insider for conversations about Texas land, ranching, agriculture, markets, business, and the issues affecting landowners.

When should you spray your pastures—and when does using a drone make more sense than traditional ground equipment?

In this episode of The Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with Jordan Smith of Calibrated Land Services to talk about how drone spraying is changing pasture and weed management for Texas landowners.

Jordan breaks down the importance of timing, the difference between pre-emergent and post-emergent treatments, and why waiting until weeds become obvious can make them much harder to control. He also explains where agricultural drones can provide an effective option for steep, wet, brushy, or otherwise difficult-to-access areas of a property.

From grass burrs and broomweed to thistle, mesquite, prickly pear, and fertilizer, Jordan shares practical considerations for landowners planning their next pasture treatment.

In this episode:

• When Texas landowners should consider spraying pastures
• Why timing matters for effective weed control
• Pre-emergent vs. post-emergent treatments
• Using drones to spray difficult-to-access areas
• Grass burr prevention and why it starts earlier than many expect
• Managing broomweed, thistle, mesquite, and prickly pear
• Fertilizer timing and pasture management
• Common mistakes landowners make with weed control
• Where drones can make sense compared with traditional ground equipment
• How Jordan went from ag teacher to building Calibrated Land Services

Whether you own a ranch, manage pasture, raise livestock, or want to improve the way you care for your property, this conversation offers a practical look at pasture management, weed control, and agricultural drone technology.

About Calibrated Land Services Calibrated Land Services works with landowners on pasture and land-management needs, including drone spraying and targeted applications designed around the property and treatment goals. If you're considering a pasture treatment or want to learn whether drone application could be a fit for your property, connect with Calibrated Land Services to learn more.

Learn more about Calibrated Land Services: WEBSITE

Follow The Landowner Insider for conversations about Texas land, ranching, agriculture, wildlife, business, and the people shaping the future of land ownership.

What will artificial intelligence mean for the future of real estate and land brokerage?

In this episode of The Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with Robby Butler, Managing Director of Tucker Capital Group and Owner/Partner of Y Street Capital, and Ben Meadows, Financial Advisor with U.S. Capital Wealth, LLC, to explore how AI could change the way land and real estate are researched, evaluated, marketed, bought, and sold.

Rather than simply asking whether AI will replace people in real estate, they look at how technology could give landowners, buyers, investors, and brokers access to more property information—and the ability to analyze it faster than ever before.

From property research and due diligence to identifying opportunities, risks, and highest-and-best-use potential, the conversation explores how AI could change decision-making throughout a real estate transaction.

They also discuss why experienced agents and brokers may become more valuable as technology improves, what happens to real estate businesses that fail to adapt, and how the role of the broker could evolve as AI becomes more capable.

In this episode:

• How AI could change real estate and land brokerage
• Using AI for property research and due diligence
• Identifying opportunities and risks in land transactions
• How landowners could evaluate highest-and-best-use potential
• What AI means for buyers, sellers, and investors
• Why experienced agents could become more valuable
• How technology could expose weak real estate business models
• The changing role of land brokers
• How AI could influence real estate investing
• What the future of property transactions could look like

Whether you're a landowner, investor, buyer, seller, land broker, or real estate professional, this conversation offers a look at how AI could reshape the way property decisions are made.

Follow The Landowner Insider for conversations about Texas land, ranching, real estate, business, technology, markets, and the forces shaping the future of land ownership.

What does it actually take to make money raising cattle?

In this episode of The Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with Texas cattleman Wesley Wood for a practical conversation about the economics behind the cattle business—from cattle prices and feed costs to break-even numbers, risk, efficiency, and knowing when to buy, hold, or sell.

With calves around $2,000 and cows reaching $5,000, there is more money at risk in the cattle business than ever. Wesley explains why knowing your true cost of production and break-even matters, how he evaluates opportunities, and why the cheapest decision isn't always the most profitable one.

Kasey and Wesley also dig into cost of gain, feed yard efficiency, interest, facilities, cattle quality, market timing, and the shrinking U.S. cow herd—and what those factors can mean for producers trying to operate profitably.

In this episode:

• How to think about profitability in the cattle business
• Why ranchers need to know their true break-even
• Cost of production and cost of gain
• How Wesley decides which cattle to buy, feed, hold, or move
• Why eliminating the bottom 10–15% of cattle quality changed his operation
• $2,000 calves, $5,000 cows, and managing more capital at risk
• Feed costs, interest, facilities, and operational efficiency
• The shrinking U.S. cow herd and today's cattle market
• Calculated risk versus simply playing it safe
• Why "scared money don't make money" only works when you understand the numbers

This isn't about gambling on cattle. It's about understanding the numbers well enough to recognize an opportunity and make an informed decision when it appears.

Whether you raise cattle, own a ranch, manage agricultural land, or want to better understand the business behind livestock production, this conversation offers a practical look at the economics driving today's cattle industry.

Follow The Landowner Insider for conversations about Texas land, ranching, agriculture, markets, business, and the people shaping the future of our state.

What will it take to prepare the next generation to lead agriculture in a world changing faster than ever?

In this episode of The Landowner Insider, Kasey Mock sits down with Dr. Frank Owsley of Tarleton State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for a conversation about the future of agriculture, education, artificial intelligence, and the skills young people will need to succeed.

As AI changes how we learn and work, Kasey and Dr. Owsley discuss why critical thinking, communication, confidence, understanding numbers, and real-world decision-making may become even more valuable—not less.

They also explore what today's agriculture students need to understand about business and profitability, why hands-on experience still matters, how young people can better prepare themselves for college and careers, and how Tarleton is preparing students for an agricultural industry that could look very different five years from now.

In this episode:

• What the next generation needs to succeed in agriculture
• How AI is changing education and the workplace
• Why critical thinking matters in an AI-driven world
• The importance of communication and real-world decision-making
• Why agriculture students need to understand business, numbers, and profitability
• The value of hands-on agricultural education
• Building confidence before entering college
• Preparing students for agricultural careers that are rapidly changing
• Tarleton State University's rapid growth
• What Tarleton must preserve as the university continues to expand

This conversation goes beyond college degrees and technology. It's about preparing the next generation to think independently, adapt, solve problems, lead, and build meaningful careers in agriculture and beyond.

Whether you're a student, parent, rancher, farmer, landowner, educator, or agricultural leader, this is a conversation about where the industry is headed—and whether we're preparing the next generation to lead it.

Follow The Landowner Insider for conversations about Texas land, agriculture, business, leadership, and the people shaping the future of our state.