61 – Mike Mechenbier – 142,000 acres

An Albuquerque businessman, Mechenbier owns 142,000 acres spread across several New Mexico counties, including farmland and four adjoining cattle ranches. And he wants the land to stay in the family as long as possible. A large portion of the acreage lies in a trust that prevents that land from being mortgaged.

28 – The Bell Ranch – 250,000 acres

In 1824, the Mexican government granted former Spanish Army Captain Pablo Montoya more than 600,000 acres outside of present-day Tucumcari, New Mexico. In 1947, after a slew of colorful owners, the land was divided into six parcels. William Lane II eventually purchased the largest piece in 1970. The BellRanch, named for the bell-shaped butte on the property, is now owned by Bill Lane’s children, who have co-listed it with Mason & Morse Ranch Company and Orvis/Cushman & Wakefield for $100 million.

31 – D.K. Boyd – 243,437 acres

A Lubbock oilman, Boyd acquired the 137,372-acre Frying Pan Ranch in 1996 and the 106,065-acre LE Ranch in 1998. The two cattle ranches are among the most historic in the West Texas/Southeast New Mexico region and date back to the late 19th century.

38 – Bidegain Family – 200,000 acres

More than a century after Howard Kohn founded what would become the T4 Cattle Co. in New Mexico, family members remain loyal to its cattle ranching heritage. Kohn’s daughter Yetta and her family, the Bidegains, now own the approximately 200,000-acre ranch. Her son Phillip manages the property.

41 – Bogle Family – 192,000 acres

Beginning in 1920, Hal Bogle established himself in the ranching community by acquiring land in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, and Tennessee. When he died in 1973, he left almost 192,000 acres of ranchland in New Mexico to his son William Clarence and to William’s five children.

62- Gerald J. Ford- 140,000 acres

This Dallas banker teamed up with Ronald Perelman to sell Golden State Bancorp to Citigroup for $5.8 billion in 2002. Ford also owns the historic Diamond A Ranch in New Mexico and Diamond A Racing in Kentucky, which produced Pleasantly Perfect, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2003 and the Dubai World Cup in 2004.

75 – Robert A. Funk – 124,744 acres

Funk’s Express Ranches run one of the largest seed stock operations in the country. The ranches—Express Ranches in Yukon, Oklahoma; Express Atmore Ranch in Ute Park, New Mexico; and
the Express UU Bar Ranch near Cimarron, New Mexico—also develop, test, and export genetics, as well as conduct an artificial insemination and embryo transfer program.

72 – Les Davis Heirs – 128,000 acres

Tucked away at the foot of the Rockies in Cimarron, New Mexico, the 134-year-old CS Cattle Co. runs several enterprises, including hunting, outfitting, and taking in pasture cattle, on its 138,000 acres (10,000 of which are leased). Les Davis, who began working at the ranch in 1941, died in 2001 and left the CS to his wife, Linda, and their six children.

83- Stan Harper- 106,500 acres

The owner of Lenders & Members Service Group, Harper lives just south of Fort Worth, where he also owns 6,500 acres. But his true passion is northern New Mexico, where he owns a 100,000-
acre parcel that most recently belonged to Brad Kelley. This ranch is located in Mora County near the tiny town of Wagon Mound.

80 – Richard and Victoria Evans – 113,065 acres

The couple owns the 109,065-acre Double V Ranch near Fort Sumner, New Mexico, which has been the site of two separate F-16 crashes. The Evanses are presently marketing the Double V for $26,175,000. They also own 4,000 acres in the Texas Panhandle, as well as significant acreage in South America.

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