Our Story

Heather grew up in Carrizo Springs, Texas, with her father as her ag teacher. She showed just about every species Texas allows, but her favorite was always the cherry-red Santa Gertrudis heifer, many of them from Chaparrosa Ranches and the Amy Alexander herd. When she finished high school she sold her herd to the Y.N. Strait family.

Years later, when Harrison and Kalli were old enough to show, the family came back to the breed, buying some of their first heifers from Mr. Y.N. Strait and Mr. Couch. From 2008 to 2015 they kept a handful of show females between New Braunfels and Carrizo, until in 2015 they bought the ranch in Kingsbury and Buena Vida Cattle Company began.

Buena Vida means "The Good Life", and the brand, half a V and half a B, stands for it. From about a dozen retired show heifers the herd has grown to roughly 85 head of purebred Santa Gertrudis, built on a strong female base and a growing bull battery, with quality over quantity. Now that Harrison and Kalli have aged out of junior shows, Heather, Kevin and Kalli are focused on producing elite show prospects.