Why are DSTs Becoming Popular for Texas Ranchers and Farmers?

Iron Ridge Advisors is a trusted DST resource for Texas farmers and ranchers—helping landowners defer taxes and preserve legacies.

When it comes to selling ranch or farm land in Texas, few financial decisions carry more weight. For many families, that land represents decades—sometimes generations—of hard work, heritage, and the largest source of wealth they will ever own. Deciding what to do next is not simply about dollars—it’s about legacy, security, and the future.

Across Texas, two realities are changing the way landowners think about their next chapter. Water scarcity has become a growing concern, from aquifer depletion in West Texas to rising irrigation costs in Central and South Texas. At the same time, a wave of farmers and ranchers are reaching retirement age, often without heirs ready or willing to take on the demands of land management. These pressures are leading more Texans to explore alternatives—ways to capture the value of their land while reducing risk and responsibility.

That’s where Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) come in. At Iron Ridge Advisors, we specialize in helping Texas farmers, ranchers, and landowners use DST strategies as part of the 1031 exchange process. A DST allows you to defer capital gains taxes, diversify into institutional-grade real estate, and access the potential for passive income—without the daily burdens of property management.

Why Are More Texans Considering DSTs Today?

Texas is unique. The state combines some of the fastest-growing metro regions in the U.S. with vast tracts of productive ranch and farmland. Land values have surged, which is good news for sellers—but it also brings steep tax liabilities and difficult estate questions. DSTs offer a strategic alternative to an outright sale.

Through a DST, landowners can:

  • Defer capital gains taxes through a properly executed 1031 exchange.

  • Diversify wealth into professionally managed, institutional-quality real estate such as multifamily housing, logistics, and self-storage.

  • Simplify estate planning, converting a large ranch or farm into fractional interests that can be more easily divided among heirs.

  • Access potential passive income streams immediately, without management responsibilities or water-related risks tied to operating land.

How Does Iron Ridge Advisors Support Texas Landowners?

We work closely with ranchers and farmers across Texas—from multi-generational Panhandle farms to cattle operations in West and South Texas. We understand not only the financial side of selling land, but also the personal and emotional challenges that come with it. Water rights, family transitions, and market timing all play into these decisions, and our role is to help you navigate them with clarity.

Our network includes trusted CPAs, estate planning attorneys, land brokers, and qualified intermediaries, ensuring every part of your 1031 exchange is aligned with your long-term goals.

Why Does Trust Matter in the DST Process?

In today’s environment, where quick promises and aggressive sales tactics are all too common, trust matters more than ever. At Iron Ridge Advisors, we don’t “sell” investments—we educate, guide, and stand beside our clients. Our commitment is transparency, rigorous due diligence, and making sure you understand every step of the process.

How Can You Preserve Your Texas Legacy?

Selling land in Texas doesn’t have to mean walking away from your future. With the right strategy, you can transition into a structure that provides tax advantages, potential income, and long-term stability for your family.

Iron Ridge Advisors is proud to be recognized as one of the most trusted DST advisors serving Texas landowners. If you are considering selling your farm or ranch property, now is the time to explore your options.

Which counties in Texas do we serve?

  • Anderson, Andrews, Angelina, Aransas, Archer, Armstrong, Atascosa, Austin, Bailey, Bandera, Bastrop, Baylor, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Borden, Bosque, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brewster, Briscoe, Brooks, Brown, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Callahan, Cameron, Camp, Carson, Cass, Castro, Chambers, Cherokee, Childress, Clay, Cochran, Coke, Coleman, Collin, Collingsworth, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Cottle, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Culberson, Dallam, Dallas, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Delta, Denton, DeWitt, Dickens, Dimmit, Donley, Duval, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Gaines, Galveston, Garza, Gillespie, Glasscock, Goliad, Gonzales, Gray, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hale, Hall, Hamilton, Hansford, Hardeman, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hays, Hemphill, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hockley, Hood, Hopkins, Houston, Howard, Hudspeth, Hunt, Hutchinson, Irion, Jack, Jackson, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Johnson, Jones, Karnes, Kaufman, Kendall, Kenedy, Kent, Kerr, Kimble, King, Kinney, Kleberg, Knox, La Salle, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Lipscomb, Live Oak, Llano, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, Madison, Marion, Martin, Mason, Matagorda, Maverick, McCulloch, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Midland, Milam, Mills, Mitchell, Montague, Montgomery, Moore, Morris, Motley, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nolan, Nueces, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Parmer, Pecos, Polk, Potter, Presidio, Rains, Randall, Reagan, Real, Red River, Reeves, Refugio, Roberts, Robertson, Rockwall, Runnels, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, San Saba, Schleicher, Scurry, Shackelford, Shelby, Sherman, Smith, Somervell, Starr, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Swisher, Tarrant, Taylor, Terrell, Terry, Throckmorton, Titus, Tom Green, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Ward, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Winkler, Wise, Wood, Yoakum, Young, Zapata, Zavala.