Bret and Kristy Wilson run Flying W Cattle Company in Fairland, Okla. where they are also both real estate agents.
FAIRLAND, OKLA. – Bret and Kristy Wilson dated in high school, but then they went their separate ways. About 28 years later, they got back together and are now married.
A similar story could be told about the ranch they operate outside Fairland, Okla., which they call Flying W Cattle Company. Bret’s grandfather started the cattle ranch in the 1950s, but the family stopped operating it in 1978. It was rented for 40 years, and for the last six years the Wilsons have been trying to gain back productivity.
“We rent the land now from the family trust, and the operation is ours,” Bret said. “I’ve always been involved with agriculture somehow. We moved back (to the ranch) five years ago.”
Five years is also how long the pair have been real estate agents, and Kristy has been a well-known hair stylist in the area for nearly 27 years. He also hauls from the local quarry and uses their fertilizer spreader to help other nearby farmers with their fields, using a custom application of fertilizer and lime for farms and ranches.
“Between the ranch and real estate, we stay busy,” Bret said.
While the couple loves getting people in the right homes, they also have a passion for agriculture and their ranch is growing right alongside their real estate business. They have a herd of about 250 cows and are taking over Bret’s cousin’s operation. All of this is on about 900 acres of family land plus the 300 acres that they lease.
“We run primarily commercial Angus and Angus cross cows bred to Angus and Charolais bulls,” Kristy said.
Bret further explained that they run moderate-framed Ohlde and trendsetter genetics Angus cattle.
“We try to run on grass and quality hay, supplementing protein when needed,” he said. “When needed, we also run a really good mineral maintenance program.”
Bret’s father, Woody Wilson, is 81 years old, and despite being out of the cattle business for 40 years, he has become their most active farm hand.
“That man is on a mission,” Bret said. “He loves being on the tractor and helping in any way he can.”
October 30, 2024, was a scary day in the life of their ranch as a rare autumn tornado hit the farm. Their home sustained substantial damage, which means they are currently living elsewhere while it’s being repaired. They also lost two barns, a detached garage, and one calf.
“We sustained substantial damage to barns, outbuildings, and the fence,” Kristy said. “It was good weather right after that, so we got lots of cleanup time, but then we had a (pre-planned) vacation. We had a tremendous outpouring of help from neighbors and the Cherokee Tribe.”
Once they got home, they restarted working on repairing their property, including the fencing. Finishing soon will be good timing as they have about 70 heifers getting ready to calf this March.
The cattle are largely fed grass and a fescue/Bermuda hay blend that the Wilsons grow on their own land.
The Wilsons have done some of their own beef sales but largely raise the cattle for the sale barn and they sell weaned calves. , and they keep some of the heifers for replacements.
As they grow, they hope to have about 300 head of cattle, Kristy said, adding that they would only do that if the land they have would be able to handle it, and they would need to hire someone to help run the farm.
When they’re not working, the Wilsons love being involved with their church, Mountain Movers, and are on the serve team. They also love spending time with their blended family, which includes six grandchildren, of which they are very proud.
