Our Story
Randy grew up on the same Northwest Indiana farm he calls home today—a property his family purchased in 1987. Like many Midwestern farms, it was a diversified operation, raising corn, soybeans, cattle, and hogs. One memory stood out from an early age: a single white crossbred cow that looked different from the rest of the herd. That image stuck with him, quietly shaping a long-term vision of someday owning a herd with that same striking presence.
The idea for B&R Ranch truly took shape in 2016, when Randy and his wife Brittaney traveled to Scotland on a babymoon. It was there, surrounded by rugged landscapes, that they first saw Highland cattle in person. Brittaney’s simple question, “Can we get these ones?” sparked something bigger.
Highlands offered more than just a unique look. They brought together a rare combination of traits—docility and intelligence that make them easy to work with, along with natural hardiness that allows them to thrive in both cold and heat through their double hair coat and distinctive horns. Their forelocks provide natural fly resistance, while their smaller frame supports efficient management. Paired with easy calving, strong maternal instincts, and a striking appearance, they offered everything Randy and Brittaney were looking for in a herd.
Not long after, Randy discovered silver Highlands—a rare variation that carried the visual appeal of a white herd, but with bold contrast and added uniqueness. That discovery gave a clear direction to what had once just been an idea.
At the time, Randy and Brittaney were focused on building their business, renovating properties and managing short-term rentals. In a small but meaningful moment, they chose to pass on buying a Highland painting for themselves—purchasing it instead for one of their rentals. It became a quiet symbol of their mindset: invest now, build for later.
In 2022, that long-term vision officially began. On Randy’s 34th birthday, they purchased their first two Highland heifers—marking the start of the herd. One was an AHCA-registered silver named Belle, valued more for her color than elite genetics. The other, initially from a different registry, was later sold as the program shifted toward maintaining a fully AHCA-registered herd. In April 2023, Randy and Brittaney made the move back to the family farm. What had been an idea for years quickly became a focused effort—laying the foundation for what is now B&R Ranch.
