Portrait of our herd bull hand drawn by M.S.

Our Ranch Story…

The summer before  7^th grade, my summer job was helping my best friend’s dad paint stripes on parking lots.  At the end of the summer, he gave me a bred cow as payment for my work.  My dad and I fell in love with every aspect of ranching, while creating great memories along the way.  My dad did quite a bit research on the various breeds, and we decided to focus our herd around Santa Gertrudis. My entire family toured the King Ranch, developed a brand, and embarked on growing our herd.  We bought 3 bred heifers from ranch in South East Texas; bought a bull from another ranch in South Texas and ultimately ended up with about 45 animals. Unfortunately, we were forced to sell out during my junior year of college.

After my wife found her passion in horseback riding, specifically jumping, she started working at the barn to help supplement the cost of the sport.  She fell in love with not only the horses, but the work that goes with them.  After a couple of years of hard work, a few heartbreaks, some help from Jeff at the FSA, and a fortunate rekindling of a long family relationship, the Steely Family is back in the ranching business.  Still focusing on the Santa Gertrudis, while adding some Belted Galloway too.

I will be forever grateful to my cousin, and his siblings, for their willingness to help me get back on this path.  Thank you!

Where did the name “Crooked Letter” and the brand come from?

It starts with our last name, Steely.  The letter S and Santa Gertrudis are almost synonymous in the cattle business.  Everyone has used it in some way.  Being born and raised in Texas, and deep roots throughout the south, I learned how to spell Mississippi using “crooked letter” for the S’s and “humpback” for P’s.  My wife ultimately came up with the name, and between her and my daughter, designed the brand.  The brand incorporates the S, and CL letters, with the L stepping up to be the Crooked Letter in our brand..