The present day operation is multi-faceted ranching in 6 Oklahoma counties, with three divisions—commercial cow calf, livestock marketing and performance horses.
Living the ranching dream that formed from a partnership cow in 1959, A Bar Ranches have evolved. Owned by Mike and Martha Armitage, both from cattle and ranching families, the ranch maintains a cow herd of over 4000 head and breed their replacements of over 500 heifers each year. The headquarters ranch, located at Claremore, Oklahoma, was the original Cherokee Indian Allotment of Frank and Dora Rucker, established in the early 1880’s. This eastern Rogers County ranch exceeded 20,000 acres and operated with the historic open A brand.
The present day operation is multi-faceted ranching in 6 Oklahoma counties, with three divisions—commercial cow calf, livestock marketing and performance horses.
The commercial cow calf division was developed from registered Hereford cows mated to Brahman bulls producing F1 Brafords. These F1 females are then mated to Angus sons of BR Midland in recent years. Most of the F2 Brangus Baldy heifers are retained and make up the bulk of the producing herd.
The registered Angus division was developed through embryo transplant and selected for both carcass and maternal traits and utilized in supplying our commercial cow herd genetic improvements.
The marketing company operates as Armitage Livestock and sells over 14,000 bred females each year-both private treaty and through auction. Their largest event called “The Fall Gatherin’” offers 3000 bred cows and heifers and includes their horse production sale. 2012 marks the 22nd annual event.
A performance horse program is an integral part at A Bar, maintaining a broodmare band of 100 head focused on strong modern mare families with cow conformation and ability mated to sons of Playgun, Boonlight Dancer, Ima Son of Sugar, Shining Spark and Freckles Playboy.
Ranching traditions and values are a way of life, from draggin’ calves to dining at the chuckwagon, but most importantly, our families and our employee’s families are blessed to have the freedoms this lifestyle brings. Mike’s family includes his wife, Martha; sons, Merrit, Turner and Kevin; and grandson Cole.
