Ruel & Kay Barker

Barker Cattle Company is an LLC composed of three partner families; Ruel and Kay Barker, founders and Advisor; Tyler and Amanda Barker, members and herd health and marketing consultant; and Tom and Sally Ottley, members and ranch managers.  The ranch is located in a beautiful mountain valley in Southern Idaho called Elba.  Ruel was raised in Elba and growing up was involved in the purebred horned Hereford business with his father.  In the early 1970’s Ruel elected to change course and purchased fifty head of purebred Simmental heifers and a French imported purebred abundance Simmental bull named “Can Can”.  The Abundance Simmental strain facilitated the change from the original spotted or “flower cattle” to a herd of solid dark red goggle eyed mother cows.  From there it was a simple step to evolve to black Simmentals.  

Over the past forty years Barkers have also developed reputable herds of Maine Anjou and Angus cattle. At the present time Barker Cattle Company (BCC) produces two private sales each year.  They conduct an online show calf sale at the ranch in Elba, held in October and a Bull & Female Production Sale at the local auction yard facilities in nearby Burley Idaho in March.

Tyler & Amanda Barker Family

The fall show calf sale features approximately 35 head of fancy steer and show heifer prospects.  At the spring bull & female production sale, approximately 100 head of Purebred Angus, Angus x, Simmental & Sim-Angus bulls are offered along with 30 head of upper end replacement heifer prospects.  We are keenly dedicated to keeping our birth weight and calving ease standards at an acceptable level for both ourselves and our customers--the commercial cattleman of the industry.  We offer pure-bred seed stock cattle, but at the same time believe strongly that Heterosis is an important aspect and offer cross bred cattle that perform! We follow aggressive and data defensible health programs in our herd of 300 head. We understand and implement sound nutritional programs in an effort to maximize the genetic base of our livestock.  We believe in being fair and honest in all dealings with our customers, not just because that is the only way to stay in business, but because it is the right way to do business.

To read more about our history and to read an article written by Kayla Walker, please click here.

Sincerely,
Ruel and Kay Barker
Tyler & Amanda Barker
Tom and Sally Ottley

Tom and Sally Ottley Family