A Bar Ranch is owned and operated by the Armitage Family. The ranch maintains a cow herd of 4,000 head and breed 500 head of heifer replacement females each year. The present-day operation is a multi-faceted ranching business in six Oklahoma counties and two Texas counties with three divisions; commercial cow calf, livestock marketing, and a versatile ranch horse program. The commercial cow calf division was developed from registered Hereford cows mated to Brahman bulls producing F1 Brafords. These F1 females were then mated to performance Angus genetics. Most of the F2 Brangus Baldy heifers are retained and make up the bulk of the producing herd. The marketing company operates as Armitage Livestock and sells around 10,000 bred females each year both private treaty and through auction. The largest event called “The Fall Gatherin” offers 1,500 bred cows and heifers. The Squaw Creek division is the nucleus of the livestock marketing where daily ranch activities include shipping, processing, and health management all handled horseback. A Bar Ranch has a fall and spring commercial cow sale at their Headquarters Division and a fall horse sale and futurity at the Panther Creek Division. Breeding versatile ranch horses is an integral part at A Bar Ranch, maintaining a broodmare band of 100 head focused on strong mare families with cow sense, good conformation, and ability. The mares are bred to sons of Metallic Cat, One Time Royalty, Dual Rey, Peptos Stylish Oak, Boonlight Dancer, and Tanquery Gin. The ranch maintains a closed herd where the majority of the mares are pasture bred. 2018 was the inaugural A Bar Ranch Futurity. The competition includes four events: cowhorse, cut and capture, ranch trail, and halter. $20,000 is added to the futurity where contestants compete riding A Bar Ranch bred genetics. The contestants are allowed to consign their 4 or 5-year-old to the sale immediately following the competition. This futurity has proven to be a growing event where working ranch cowboys can display the horse and riders’ ability, while adding value to the horse. The Armitage Family 21002 S. 4210 Road, Claremore, OKlahoma 74019 918-697-6717 • Abarranch.com 18 A Bar Ranch
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