Over the last 50 years the Bartter business has grown significantly. The company was established in 1956 and began as a Junior Farmers (Rural Youth) Project, led by Peter Bartter, to produce table eggs. In 1960 David joined his brother Peter to form the Bartter family business. The business was based in Griffith NSW in the heart of the Riverina (approximately 600kms from Sydney and 450km's from Melbourne).

Today Bartter Enterprises is the second largest poultry producer in Australia. Processing plants are located in Griffith and Beresfield (near Newcastle) in New South Wales, Geelong in Victoria, Ipswich in South Queensland, Mareeba in North Queensland, South Australia and Osborne Park, Western Australia. Breeding and hatching operations are in close proximity to these plants. Distribution is carried out from each processing plant with the addition of a dedicated distribution site at Marsden Park in New South Wales.

In 1999, Bartter Enterprises acquired Steggles Limited. Steggles Limited started in 1919 from a family of produce merchants, and by 1924 was being run by three Steggles brothers, Jack, George and Stan mainly buying and selling potatoes, onions, pumpkins and horse feed. It was not until the 1930's that the company commenced producing poultry feed for backyard growers and commercial layer operators.

In 1958 the Steggles feed mill moved to Beresfield on a 108-acre site and by 1962 Steggles had expanded into chicken production and had housing for 100,000 birds with the processing plant capable of handling up to 25,000 birds per week. Towards the end of the 1970's, Steggles were selling product throughout eastern Australia and exporting into Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Island Region and countries within Asia.

Late in 1980 Steggles was acquired by Amatil Limited and by 1988 the company had virtually doubled with the merger of Steggles and Table Talk leading to the formation of Australian Poultry Limited. This strategy was a joint venture between Amatil and Goodman Fielder and in 1989 Goodman Fielder became 100% owners.

In 1999 Bartter Enterprises acquired Steggles, including 50% ownership of Steggles Foods. Steggles Foods is a joint venture between Bartter Enterprises and OSI Foods. Steggles Foods Products is a major value adding, further processing poultry producer with the processing plant located in Beresfield.

In November 2006 Bartter Enterprises completely bought out the remaining 50% of Steggles from OSI Foods, making them the complete owners of the business. The buy out gives Bartter Enterprises total control over the frozen, value-added component of our business and the opportunity to build on the product range for the food service and restaurant trade markets.