1,346 Acres in West Mineral, KS

Don’t miss your chance to bid on a true legacy property.

The Barnes & Nettels B&N Ranch Auction offers an exceptional ranch opportunity in Southeast Kansas, available in multiple tracts and combinations designed to suit a wide range of buyers. This premier cow/calf operation features a proven production history supported by highly productive soils and an outstanding grass complex, creating a true turnkey opportunity for serious cattlemen. The well-appointed headquarters includes sturdy pipe pens, quality outbuildings, and a comfortable owner’s residence.

Abundant, naturally distributed water sources—live streams, lakes, ponds, natural springs, and wells—promote efficient grazing across every pasture. Plum Creek winds through the property, forming a thriving wildlife corridor that supports trophy whitetail deer, turkey, and quail, along with excellent fishing opportunities. A strong natural spring continuously feeds a large lake equipped with a county-installed spillway, ensuring dependable water year-round.

Predominantly level terrain, excellent hard-surface road access throughout the property, and close proximity to major retail and commercial hubs in Pittsburg, Kansas, and Joplin, Missouri, offer an ideal blend of productivity, recreation, and accessibility.

The auction will be held on Wednesday, May 20th at 10:00 AM CT at the Crestwood Country Club in Pittsburg, Kansas.

For additional information, contact Hall and Hall Auctions at 1-800-829-8747.

History

The Story of the Ranch

The modern history of The Barnes and Nettels Ranch begins in 1952, when George E. Nettels, then President of the nearby Pittsburg & Midway (P&M;) Coal Company, set out to establish a cattle ranch of his own. Inspired by the sweeping cattle drives portrayed in the film Red River, which had recently captured the imagination of audiences across the country, Mr. Nettels began searching for land suitable for a working cattle operation. His search brought him to the Plum Creek Valley in Southeast Kansas, where rolling pastureland, wooded creek corridors, and dependable water created an ideal ranching landscape. Recognizing both the potential of the land and the importance of local ranching expertise, Mr. Nettels partnered with respected cattleman Morris Barnes. Together they formed what became known as The Barnes and Nettels Ranch, often referred to simply as The B&N Ranch.

From the beginning, the partnership blended vision and practical ranching knowledge. Nettels brought both the capital necessary to establish the operation and access to resources through his leadership of Pittsburg & Midway Coal Company. Barnes contributed the hands-on experience and local knowledge required to manage cattle and develop the ranch day to day. One of the early priorities of the new partners was building infrastructure capable of handling cattle efficiently and safely. Drawing on equipment, materials, and construction capabilities associated with his mining operations, Nettels helped ensure that the ranch was built with facilities designed for durability and long-term use. Large cattle working pens were constructed using six-foot heavy pipe and exceptionally strong fencing, creating a set of handling facilities that reflected industrial-grade strength more commonly associated with mining and construction operations than with typical ranch structures of the era. These improvements allowed the ranch to operate efficiently while ensuring the safety of both livestock and ranch hands.

The combination of Barness practical cattle experience and Nettelss investment and engineering resources created a ranch operation that was both functional and well builtan approach that helped establish the foundation of The B&N Ranch during its earliest years. Photographs from the early years capture George Nettels during the formative period of the ranch, when the partnership with Morris Barnes first began shaping the land into the operation it would become. The connection to the ranch continues through the Nettels family today. Thomas Nettels of Kansas City, Missourigrandson of George Nettelsremains closely tied to the property and its history. As Thomas Nettels reflects:

The ranch has always been part of our family story. I still enjoy coming back to spend time there and lend a hand with the work. Maintaining and improving the land that my grandfather helped establish more than seventy-five years ago is something I take great pride in.