My father, Orrin E. Hart registered his first Black Angus calf in 1941 (68 years ago).  The first foundation females originated form the famed Glenburn Ranch (Roy Buchanan’s of Pincher Creek).  By 1948 he had purchased his first piece of land on Willow Creek and registered the Willabar name.  He thought about sand bars in the Willow Creek on his new property and thus Willabar became.  Orrin became a life member of the Canadian Angus Association in 1944. 

In 1951, will touring in Britain on the Nuffield Scholarship, Orrin purchased a bred heifer from the famous Haymount Angus herd.  She turned out to be the dam of Willabar Jumbo Eric; while not considered a top show bull then or now-he was a long stout bull with extremely correct leg setting and well laid in shoulders on a massive body.  Willabar Jumbo Eric put the Willabar name on the map.  Ironically the first Canadian Angus bull exported back to Britain was a grandson of Willabar Jumbo Eric going to the renowned herd of Tom Brewis of Eastfield in Scotland. 

As the years continued, Willabar genetics became well renowned as well.  Cattle were exported to many different countries including: Mexico, Scotland, USA, Argentina, Russia, Japan to name a few.  All the while a strong and loyal following of commercial customers in Canada and United States were using Willabar genetics in the breeding pastures. 

Up until 2004, Willabar operated as a family unit with the management team including Orrin, Margaret, Andy, and John Hart.  In 1998, Willabar changed its calving program to Fall calving.  In 2000, we started having annual Long Yearling Black Angus Bull sales, selling 18 month old bulls.  We calve in September, breed in December, wean in March, to avoid the painful January calving.  After 2004, Andy and his wife Ramona took the reins and still offer the annual bull sale in February at the Ranch.  Their children represent the third generation in the Angus Business.