Returning to the Family Ranch 

Blayr Barnard’s journey to running Barnard Beef Cattle Company began with a business consultant career in Indiana before she returned home in 2015 to take over the family ranch.  

Today, Barnard Beef is known for its direct-to-consumer beef operations, where families in the area enjoy high-quality, locally raised meat. Yet, the cornerstone of their operation is the stocker program, running 17,000 head of stockers that fuels the business. 

Blayr reflects on the pivotal moment when Capital Farm Credit became part of her family’s ranching story. 

“In 2015, I moved back to take over the family ranch. It was our first major expansion, and Capital Farm Credit gave us the loan that allowed us to grow,” Blayr said. “The relationship started right away and has now spanned over 10 years.” 

For her, it was more than just financial support, it was the beginning of a partnership that provided the flexibility and understanding she needed in a complex industry. 

A Sense of Ownership and Partnership 

Blayr’s passion for cattle is matched by her commitment to her team and community. She enjoys the freedom that agriculture offers, from working with great people to providing locally sourced beef to families who value knowing exactly where their food comes from.  

The ability to balance work and personal life—such as attending her kids’ spring fling—is one of the things Blayr cherishes most about ranching. “I don’t run cattle because I love cattle. I run cattle because I love the people I work with and I love the lifestyle it allows me to have,” she said. 

What stood out to Blayr when she was exploring financing options was Capital Farm Credit’s customer-first approach. Having worked with non-traditional banking models in her previous career, Blayr was drawn to the more customer-friendly framework at Capital Farm Credit. She quickly learned that Capital Farm Credit offered much more than just loans—it offered a relationship where her input mattered.  

“It’s been really nice to feel like I have a say in things and can communicate directly with the people making the decisions,” Blayr said. 

Thanks to Capital Farm Credit’s support, Barnard Beef has been able to expand, grow, and thrive, creating a legacy of locally raised beef for the community while allowing Blayr the freedom to enjoy the things that matter most in life.