EmpowerU Podcast: Circle M Farms Female & Genetics Sale Preview
Hosts: Weston Hendrix, Luke Domingue
Guest: Chan Phillips, General Manager, Circle M Farms
Release Date: November 28, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of EmpowerU features a detailed preview of the Circle M Farms Female and Genetics Sale, with Chan Phillips sharing insider knowledge on each of the featured lots. The conversation dives deep into breeding philosophies, genetic strengths, and what sets these sale heifers and embryos apart in the livestock industry, with a focus on empowering customers and junior exhibitors.
Introduction to Circle M Farms and Philosophy
[00:01–04:17]
- Chan Phillips introduces himself as General Manager at Circle M Farms, located in Mount Vernon, Missouri.
- Describes Circle M’s main operations: centralizing donors, halter breaking, and preparing cattle for online/private treaty sales.
- Owner Craig McCallum’s passion for supporting youth and developing top-tier Simmental and Angus genetics is highlighted.
- Emphasis on the farm’s commitment to purchasing and breeding 1% cow families (elite genetics with proven show-ring success).
- Circle M’s network expands into Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, and soon Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Notable Quote:
“Our philosophy… traveling the country trying to find heifer calves that are not only good phenotypically—what we call 1 percenters—but we like to see a cow family behind them as well… Four years later here we’re starting to see the results.”
— Chan Phillips [03:25]
Detailed Lot-by-Lot Preview
Lots 1 & 2: Full Sisters Out of Champion Angus Cow
[04:17–08:38]
- Both full sibs to a champion heifer from the 2022 Angus Junior Nationals.
- Lot 1: Standout, with top profile, foot shape, and show presence, including a unique birthmark.
- “She is one that can compete at some of the highest levels… she excels from hooks to pins from the side.” — Chan Phillips [06:08]
- Lot 2: Full sister, gaining every day; possibly more dimension than Lot 1; seen as just as promising for the future.
Lot 3: Private Stock Daughter, Brood Cow Prospect
[08:39–10:42]
- Out of “Private Stock” bull; Power, structure, and performance highlighted; highest performing natural calf in the group.
- “She’s just power boned, really stout and massive through her overall makeup… I think that would be a lot of fun to play with.” — Chan Phillips [10:27]
Lot 4: Dignity Daughter, Full Sib to Reserve Supreme Heifer
[10:42–12:08]
- Sired by “Dignity.”
- Full sib to Circle M’s Reserve Supreme Heifer at 2025 Cattleman's Congress.
- “I think she’s in the same league… She’s got more upper rib shape, a little stouter out of her hip… can run at the highest level if she goes to the right home.” — Chan Phillips [11:36]
Lot 5: Tejas Daughter, Out of Queen 414 Cow Family
[12:10–14:39]
- “Tejas” bull over 15 years old, legendary for siring heifer bulls.
- Dam purchased from Kyle Connelly, proven show female; this is her first natural calf.
- “These Tejas cattle are still relevant. And this Lot 5 is another example of the quality that he can throw.” — Chan Phillips [13:30]
Lot 6: Lead the Way-Daughter, Descendant of 532 Cow
[14:39–16:11]
- Focus on elite genetic stacking—granddaughter of national champion cow.
- Sire “Lead the Way” producing top Angus progeny.
- “She’s very complete in her kind. She’s big in her bone work, long in her stride, good in her look… Just real, real high quality, complete kind of a female.” — Chan Phillips [15:49]
Lot 7: Private Stock x Time to Shine (Simmental)
[16:11–17:54]
- Simmental from “Time to Shine Jo 80”—a proven, competitive donor with strong showring record.
- Line breeding through Private Stock and A021; successfully brings together champion genetics.
- “It worked this time. So we’re going to call that line breeding and not inbreeding, right?” — Chan Phillips [17:45]
Lot 8: Private Stock x 3162L, Young Promising Semi-Donor
[17:54–19:35]
- Out of a joint donor with Don Guthridge in Iowa; never shown but an excellent producer.
- Flushed back to Private Stock after calving.
- “She’s a very good kind… I think she goes back into the herd in production and becomes probably donor material.” — Chan Phillips [19:14]
Lots 9 & 10: Full Sibs, Insight x Time to Shine (Simmental)
[19:35–23:41]
- Unique use of “Insight” bull, a maternal brother to Private Stock.
- Four sibs were evaluated, two best included in the sale—very similar phenotypes, strong maternal prospects.
- “I think their biggest asset will be as in production… They’re big-ribbed, maternal in their look, just great cow prospects.” — Chan Phillips [23:09]
- “Lot 10 is probably not for a younger exhibitor… she needs to go to a more experienced type showman.” — Chan Phillips [23:34]
Lot 11: Casino x 092J—Stout, Moderate, Youth-Ready Angus
[23:41–25:53]
- Casino bull on the proven 092J cow; moderate framed, stout, and large-footed.
- Philips recommends as ideal for first-year junior exhibitors.
- “She'd be a great first year exhibitor heifer. I hope… some young first year exhibitor buys that one because I think they'd have a lot of fun with her.” — Chan Phillips [25:18]
Lot 12: Exit 44 x Molly 45J—Young, Eye-Catching Simmental
[25:54–29:04]
- Youngest live lot; out of a $50k+ donor cow with a major win at Fort Worth.
- High interest and potential for competitive junior nationals placement.
- “I love her down her spine. She stays good at her shoulder with angulation. She's beautiful up through her jaw and her neck. Beautiful headed, tremendous profile… that one's got quite a future ahead of her.” — Chan Phillips [28:50]
Lots 13 & 14: Sexed “Lead the Way” Semen
[29:04–30:47]
- Decision to sell surplus semen as “Lead the Way” continues to prove himself in early calf crops.
- “We’re not going to be able to utilize all that semen in our own program… thought we offer a couple units here and there and let somebody else have a shot at using it.” — Chan Phillips [30:31]
Chan Phillips’ Expectations for Sale Heifers
[30:47–33:31]
- Expects “1 percenters” in both Angus and Simmental lots.
- Many females poised to be highly competitive in the show ring or become next-generation donor cows.
- Welcomes buyers with a range of experience, pointing out prospects suitable for both advanced and first-year exhibitors.
- Circle M Farms aims to keep quality high, with multiple sales planned yearly and ongoing focus on youth and customer empowerment.
Notable Quote:
“I think other than having the two cow prospects with the full sibs… the rest of these show prospects have a great future ahead of them. At the right home, right environment, they… could compete for divisions or even further at their… national shows.”
— Chan Phillips [32:23]
Policy on Genetic Ownership
[34:21–35:14]
- Chan Phillips emphasizes that Circle M Farms sells 100% ownership and possession of their females, unlike many sales that retain interests.
- “We are selling 100% ownership and possession on all the females… there’s not too many of these online sales where you get 100% of everything.” — Chan Phillips [34:51]
Sale Logistics and Closing
[33:38–36:06]
- Open house at Mount Vernon, MO, Nov 29–30; sale on December 1 via SC Online Sales.
- Circle M staff are available for questions, videos, and information.
- Contact: Chan Phillips at 606-584-7581.
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
-
On choosing elite genetics:
“As the old saying goes, it’s better to be lucky than good.” — Chan Phillips [04:51]
-
On individuality in the show ring:
“Little things like that [birthmark] sometimes can become advantageous in my mind as far as getting an extra look.” — Chan Phillips [07:27]
-
On their philosophy:
“Our philosophy is, if our customer has one that turns out and we decide we want those genetics back, we’re going to try to buy embryos and flushes off of them.” — Chan Phillips [34:47]
Segment Timestamps
- 00:01–04:17: Circle M Farms intro, breeding philosophy, and operations
- 04:17–12:08: In-depth discussion of Lots 1–4
- 12:10–16:11: Discussion of Lots 5 & 6, significant cow families and sires
- 16:11–23:41: Simmental offerings and deeper dive into cow family backgrounds (Lots 7–10)
- 23:41–25:53: Lots 11–12, youth heifer prospects and unique breeding stories
- 29:04–30:47: Lead the Way semen offering
- 30:47–33:31: Expectations for the offering and vision for future sales
- 34:21–35:14: Policy on full genetic transfer to buyers
- 33:38–36:06: Sale logistics, contact info, and closing remarks
Takeaway
This episode offers a comprehensive, transparent look at the genetics, philosophy, and future vision driving Circle M Farms. The conversation is practical, energetic, and empowering, perfect for both industry insiders and junior exhibitors seeking next-level cattle.
Contact & More:
- Sale Date: December 1, 2025, on SC Online Sales
- Open House: November 29–30, 2025
- Location: Mount Vernon, Missouri
- Contact: Chan Phillips, 606-584-7581