Luke and Chase Harker are from Hope, Indiana and they have a true passion for the cattle industry. With their mom and dad, Dan and Jill they’ve worked hard to build up the success of Harker Simmentals. Check out more about Luke and Chase below!
What’s your favorite show?
Nothing can surpass the green shaving – The North American Livestock Expo for both of us. Neither one of us has missed being a single one.
What is your favorite thing to do in the barn?
Chase: Blowing out the show calves.
Luke: I enjoy working the show calves while blasting Nickelback on the speakers with my brother.
What’s your least favorite thing to do in the barn?
Chase: Picking and cleaning pens.
Luke: Halter breaking babies
What’s the weirdest thing in your show box at a show?
Chase: Poker chips
Luke: Flat Iron – darn curly Hereford hair
What breed do you show? Why do you like showing this breed?
Chase: I show Herefords, I like to show this breed because I enjoy working with that breed, and the people in that breed are extremely sociable and friendly.
Luke: I love the Simmental breed and the people. It’s a family tradition
What are some of your favorite products to use on your animals?
Chase: Revive and Double Dip.
Luke: Revive and Double Dip – perfect for keeping hide and hair healthy.
What’s your show box staple item?
Chase: My show box staple item would be Tail Adhesive.
Luke: Cards and poker chips are always a show box necessity
Tell us about your favorite show animal.
Chase: This is a tough question – while I love the Herefords, my favorite show animal is of the Simmental breed. My friends will give me heck over this! My favorite show animal would have to be my Simmental steer, Moose, from 2019. We were Reserve Overall Market Animal at the Hoosier Beef Congress, Grand Champion Simmental Steer at the 2019 AJSA National Classic, and Reserve Overall Junior Showman at the National Classic.
Luke: My favorite show animal is the SimAngus heifer I showed in 2019, raised by Claudia Hissong. She holds a special place in my heart for not only being a sweetheart but also being such a unique individual. Her granddam is one of the most legendary Angus females – Cherry Knoll Rosebud. Rosie had a terrific show career, winning her classes and divisions at Hoosier Beef Congress and Indiana State Fair. She was Grand Champion Percentage Female at the 2019 AJSA Eastern Regional and 5th Overall Percentage Heifer in the junior show at the Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes.
What is your favorite part about showing?
Chase: getting to make new friends from different states, playing cards, socializing and having a good time.
Luke: My favorite part about showing is the platform it provides to network with exhibitors from across the country, make new friendships, and make connections with operations and organizations that could lead to future jobs and internships.