BAR LA RANCH
The Ranch
Who We Are. What We Do.
About Us
Bar LA Ranch is a family-run cow–calf operation operated by Colin and Lauren Akins, alongside our children, Abby and Cade. We are based in the foothills of Southern Alberta, on land that has been in the Akins family for nearly 50 years.
In 2017, we purchased land from the Akins ranch and moved to the farm full-time, continuing a fourth-generation family tradition of raising cattle. Our focus is on building a sustainable, well-managed ranch centered on long-term viability and productivity.
We take a hands-on approach to land and cattle management, emphasizing quiet handling, practical decision-making, and continuous improvement. Day to day, our priority is simple: care for the cattle, manage the land properly, and make decisions that support the long-term health of our operation.
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We welcome you to our ranch and our home anytime
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Colin & Lauren Akins
About Our Cattle
Everything is better with some cows around.
​Our herd is built around Red Angus genetics, with a foundation in Red Angus × Simmental commercial females. We continue to run approximately 50 commercial cows, which play an important role in our program by keeping our management and selection grounded in real-world performance.
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In 2022, we began adding purebred Red Angus females, drawn to the breed’s maternal strength, fertility, disposition, and efficiency in pasture-based systems. Since then, we have steadily grown our purebred herd to 60 breeding cows, focusing on cattle that are functional, sound, and consistent.
All cattle are managed in a grass-based, low-stress system, with an emphasis on good feet and udders, structural correctness, and longevity. Our breeding decisions prioritize cattle that fit our environment and management style—balanced, productive animals that are easy to handle and built to last.​​​​​
About Our Beef
Tender. Tasty. Grass-Fed and Finished.
We produce 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised beef from cattle born and raised on our ranch.
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Our grass-fed beef program is guided by the same principles as our seedstock operation. We select for soundness, fertility, disposition, and efficiency — traits that allow cattle to thrive and finish naturally on grass.
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Grass-fed beef offers a distinct eating experience, with a dense nutrient profile, and a richer, more complex flavour profile than conventional grain-fed beef. That flavour reflects the forage-based diet and careful management behind it.
From conception to consumer, we believe quality beef begins with healthy cattle and a system built on consistency, respect, and long-term thinking.
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The result is beef that reflects the way it was raised: responsibly managed, pasture-based, and something we are proud to feed our own family — and yours