by
Shreene Johnson
| Nov 11, 2025
This article was written based on a podcast interview on From the Pasture with Hired Hand. You can listen to the full interview here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Meet the Maxwells
In Glencoe, Oklahoma, family, faith, and Texas Longhorns all find a home at Lone Chimney Longhorns, owned by Trevor and Heather Maxwell and their two sons. What began as a simple dream of owning a few cattle has grown into a heartfelt family operation powered by teamwork—and a little help from Hired Hand’s pedigree-powered website tools.
A Family Affair
Trevor calls his 10-year-old Maddox “the real boss” of the ranch. “He can tell you the birth date, pedigree, and vaccine schedule of any cow we own,” Trevor laughs. His wife Heather runs the business side, from registrations to managing their Hired Hand website, while Trevor and their older son Jackson handle daily care.
From Hobby to Heritage
The Maxwells’ ranching story started in 2011 when they bought their first few acres and later found an online starter package of Longhorns—delivered on Christmas Eve. “We didn’t grow up with cows,” Trevor says, “so we learned by doing—and by making a few mistakes along the way.”
Today, Lone Chimney Longhorns runs around 50 head, including a steady mix of mama cows, heifers, and a well-behaved herd sire known simply as Mr. “He throws pretty speckled calves and a lot of horn twist,” Trevor shares proudly.
Life Lessons and Ranch Rhythms
Between full-time jobs, coaching baseball, and raising two boys, the Maxwells have mastered the art of balance. “Our kids are only young once,” Trevor says. “We make time for sports and family, but still work cows together on weekends. It’s about priorities.”
The family focuses on efficiency—better equipment, a cab tractor for winter feeding, and systems that save time. “We’ve learned how to do things smarter so we can spend more time together,” he adds.
Paying It Forward
Despite considering themselves “still new breeders,” the Maxwells love helping others. “We always offer to deliver animals ourselves—it’s not about the fee, it’s about meeting people and helping them get started,” Trevor explains. They even offer buy-back options for new breeders to ease their nerves. “We still feel like new breeders, and that helps us connect with others who are just getting started.”
Website Tools That Work
When Lone Chimney’s Hired Hand Website went live, Trevor saw an immediate boost in connections. “People started texting us saying, ‘I found your site!’ It legitimizes what we do,” he says. “Whether you’ve got 10 cows or 100, it’s worth every penny.”
Heather uses Hired Hand’s online pedigree management and photo integrations daily to track bloodlines, update listings, and share cattle online. “It’s made everything easier,” Trevor adds. “We’ll never go without it.”
A Lucky Night in Texas
One of their favorite stories came from a surprise calf they named Lucky Night Lucy. Trevor laughs, “We bought a heifer in Texas, and a few months later she walked by with a calf. Turns out Jeremiah jumped the fence one night—so we named her Lucky Night Lucy.”
Looking Ahead
In the next five years, the Maxwells hope to focus on quality over quantity. “We’d like to get down to about 25 cows but make each one count,” Trevor says. “As our boys grow up, we’ll have more time to travel, attend sales, and stay active in the Longhorn community.”
Ready to market your herd online?
Visit Hired Hand Websites to see examples of breeder sites and learn how we help ranchers connect pedigrees, photos, and stories with one click.
Learn More About Hired Hand Websites
Check out hiredhandsoftware.com or browse hiredhandlive.com to view online sales, pedigrees, and tools that help livestock breeders market their herds and manage pedigrees with ease. And, be sure to follow our Podcast, From the Pasture with Hired Hand.