Consistency Is Key... Featuring Will Winters

Summary

Episode Summary: "Consistency Is Key... Featuring Will Winters"

EmpowerU, hosted by Weston Hendrix, Luke Domingue, and Quinn Hartley, delves into the intricacies of the livestock industry, aiming to empower individuals, leaders, operators, and customers with knowledge and confidence. In the June 13, 2025 episode titled "Consistency Is Key... Featuring Will Winters," the hosts engage in a comprehensive conversation with Will Winters, co-owner of Wintex Farms, exploring his extensive experience, insights into breeding practices, challenges facing the industry, and the importance of consistency in livestock management.

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1. Introduction to Will Winters and Wintex Farms

The episode begins with Weston Hendrix welcoming listeners to the fourth season of EmpowerU. Luke Domingue introduces the special guest, Will Winters, highlighting his expertise and enthusiasm for sharing knowledge about the livestock industry.

Notable Quote:

"I know Will, you're very, very knowledgeable in this industry in a lot of ways. So I can't wait to pick your brain a little bit." — Weston Hendrix [00:36]

Will Winters provides an overview of Wintex Farms, detailing the family's operations, which include raising approximately 250 show pig sows and around 150 cows. He emphasizes their commitment to self-sufficiency by cultivating their own feed, such as corn, wheat, and hay, while navigating the rising costs of agricultural production.

Notable Quote:

"We try to be as self-sufficient as we can. But in this day and age everything gets pretty expensive. So just try to do all we can with what we have." — Will Winters [01:17]

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2. Background and History of Wintex Farms

Will shares his background in livestock showing, mentioning his participation in 4H and county shows alongside his siblings. He reflects on the generational legacy of Wintex Farms, tracing its roots back to his grandfather who started raising pigs through the Sears and Roebuck program in the mid-1950s.

Notable Quote:

"Our goal is to raise just our own, try to raise our own feed corn when the weather allows it... but we try to keep this thing going. So it's a hard thing to do, I can assure you." — Will Winters [05:35]

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3. Evolution of Show Pigs and Breeding Practices

Will discusses the transformation in pig showing over the decades. He notes a shift from tall, slender pigs to more compact and aesthetically varied breeds. The introduction of commercial advancements and crossbreeding has significantly altered traditional breeding practices.

Notable Quote:

"Back when I showed, we showed them tall. Them tall, skinny, no bellied ones. And I can remember some of them shows going to San Antonio..." — Will Winters [10:24]

He expresses concern over the current focus on popularity and physical attributes that do not necessarily contribute to the longevity and productivity of the sows. Will advocates for breeding practices that prioritize traits like hip length, squareness, and skeletal strength over mere aesthetic appeal.

Notable Quote:

"Now it’s, everybody's got a few sows and it's great for the industry because there's a whole lot of new money that comes in. But at the end of the day, if some of their pigs that they sell don't turn out, it really ain't no big deal." — Will Winters [11:22]

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4. Challenges in the Modern Livestock Industry

Will highlights the primary challenges facing the livestock industry today, particularly the decline in dedicated breeders and the shift towards a more commercialized and fast-paced approach. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining quality and consistency in breeding programs amidst these changes.

Notable Quote:

"The industry's pretty upside down at the moment because it's not about the build of the pig. It's just about the popularity of it." — Will Winters [11:22]

He also touches upon the potential future of reproductive technologies in swine breeding, expressing cautious optimism while lamenting the loss of traditional breeding artistry.

Notable Quote:

"I think that that's going to just magnify and accelerate it to a point that will be where we can't get back." — Will Winters [14:03]

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5. Balancing Purebred and Crossbreeds

Will discusses the strategic balance between maintaining purebred lines and incorporating crossbreeds within Wintex Farms. He underscores the necessity of diversification to enhance genetic robustness while striving to preserve the integrity of purebred programs.

Notable Quote:

"Since I've gotten back, we've kind of still maintained probably a 50, 50 split on crosses and purebreds." — Will Winters [10:12]

He expresses the challenges of integrating new genetic traits without compromising the foundational qualities of their breeding program, advocating for patience and strategic planning in genetic enhancements.

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6. The Importance of Consistency in Breeding and Judging

A central theme of the episode is the critical role of consistency in breeding practices and show judging. Will argues that consistent standards and practices are essential for the long-term success and sustainability of livestock breeding.

Notable Quote:

"Consistency is what will get you from one generation to the next, I believe." — Will Winters [25:09]

He recounts his experiences in judging and coaching, emphasizing that consistent criteria and honest evaluations are vital for developing quality breeding stock.

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7. Advice for Young Judges and Industry Participants

Will offers valuable advice for young individuals entering the field of livestock judging and breeding. He stresses the importance of gaining hands-on experience, understanding animal movement and athleticism, and prioritizing long-term genetic health over short-term show success.

Notable Quote:

"If you don't feel like you're ready, then don't do it. Don't feel like you have to do it." — Will Winters [31:00]

He advocates for education and mentorship, suggesting that judges and breeders adhere to consistent standards and remain true to foundational breeding principles.

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8. Personal Motivation and Influences

In the concluding segments, Will reflects on the personal motivations that drive his dedication to livestock breeding. Family legacy, personal responsibility, and the desire to provide the best for his loved ones underpin his commitment to maintaining and advancing Wintex Farms.

Notable Quote:

"Them two kids and that wife and that house of mine, they deserve nothing but the best for me." — Will Winters [46:46]

He acknowledges the myriad of influences that have shaped his approach, from his late father to industry mentors, highlighting the collective wisdom that informs his practices.

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9. Concluding Thoughts

Will Winters concludes the interview by reiterating the significance of consistency, dedication, and ethical breeding practices in ensuring the longevity and success of livestock operations. He emphasizes that fostering strong, healthy animals through disciplined breeding is paramount for the industry's future.

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Final Remarks:

The episode underscores the complexities of modern livestock breeding, advocating for a balanced approach that honors traditional practices while adapting to contemporary challenges. Will Winters' insights provide a nuanced perspective on maintaining quality and consistency in an evolving industry, offering valuable guidance for both seasoned professionals and newcomers alike.

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Note: Advertisements and promotional segments interspersed within the transcript have been omitted to focus on the core content of the episode.

Transcript

[Weston Hendricks]

Welcome to season four of Empower youw and I'm your host, Weston Hendricks and I developed this platform alongside my team with the objective of aiding to your interests as an individual in the livestock industry. Our goal is to empower you while gaining insights and trust and consuming it from some of the most significant people in our industry. With that said, a new episode is released every Friday with a sneak peek available on social media platforms a day prior to. So as usual, thank you for tuning in and enjoy the episode. Here's to empowering you.

[Luke]

Episode two is here now it's a little different. It's not cattle, maybe kind of is. We could talk about that maybe a little bit here later, but we have Mr. Will Winters on. Will Winters owns and operates Wintex Farms. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Will Winters over December when we were having a winter workout and Luke was there with me. Luke's here with me right now as well and I'm just excited. I can't wait to see how this conversation goes. I know Will, you're very, very knowledgeable in this industry in a lot of ways. So I can't wait to pick your brain a little bit. And with all that said, I'd like you to introduce yourself a little bit so listeners get to know you and then we'll proceed with questions.

[Will Winters]

Well, thank you guys for having me. Will Winter, co owner of Wintex Farm Farms with my dad Jay, my wife Marissa and then I got Colter buddy my son and then Hot Wheels be setting Joe, she'll start showing this next year. Run us close to 250 show pig sows. I don't even know how many cows, 150ish cows between the recips, donors, wagus, miscellaneous stuff there. So we we row crop farm and try to raise just our own, try to raise our own feed corn when the weather allows it, wheat, hay, whatnot. So try to be as self sufficient as we can. But in this day and age everything gets pretty expensive. So just try to try to do all we can with what we have. So.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Absolutely. So I'm sure as majority of people we have on here, you show growing up, right?

[Will Winters]

I did, yeah. I was showed. I got a younger sister Ashley and then two twin brothers are Tanner and Tyler. We all showed growing up in 4H here in the county and then all around the state we didn't get into many of the national shows. There weren't many of the NJSA shows going on whenever we were going. So kids these days, I don't think they really understand how good they've got it on the access that they've got to showing pigs. But yeah, we showed, we showed sheep and pigs growing up, some more successful than others at times. But I'd say for the most part through the. Throughout all the years, we probably had more success showman sheep than we did with the pigs. But yeah, we ran there whenever we were kids. We had five to 600 ewes and you know, 150 sows. So, you know, we all did show, all benefited from it and then kind of everybody's branched off since there. So.

[Luke]

So what proceeded after high school.

[Will Winters]

For me? I went up and judged for Mr. Jerry Hawkins there at Clarendon College, spent two years up there, come back to Tech, judged for Clay Elliott. We had a successful team here at Tech and then at the conclusion of that year, I helped Clay with one team here at Tech and then took over whenever he left and went to New Mexico State. So I learned a lot from coaching with him and then, and then getting thrown into the fire, I guess from a coaching standpoint into the judging world. But yeah, we went through high school and judged and then collegiately on both levels and then coached, then coached my little brother's team there in high school and we won State and 4H and FFA in the same year. So I got to take them to Louisville also and got to learn a lot about, you know, different coaching aspects from that regard on how to teach kids, you know, it's not always just about the livestock, how to translate the information to, you know, to different people as dang sure and art anymore. And judging coaches these days, I know they've got lots of distractions amongst them, but it was a neat experience to get to do it there at Tech. And then there's some, a little bit at the high school level too.

[Unnamed Speaker]

So you're coming out of college. Did you do you had any other jobs or any opportunities before you just go straight jump into raising hogs?

[Will Winters]

No. Timing really didn't allow me to do much else. I went to Tech and honestly I've been very open that, that I wanted to. I wanted to go to Oklahoma State. Now that's where dad went to college. That, that school and atmosphere has always been real intriguing to me, but workforce and time didn't allow it needed to get back here home. We only live 15 minutes from. From Tech's campus. So I came back to the farm and, and worked through college and then judged and then coached and then worked at the farm still too. So I didn't really get an opportunity to go off and try many things. Just timing in real world stuff. Didn't allow for it.

[Luke]

Right. So talk about you just jumped right into breeding hogs. Why the name Wintex? What's the story behind Wintex and what did you predominantly start out breeding and what was your goal?

[Will Winters]

Well, that's, that's the. One of the key things about Wintex is as I'm now third generation Tanner, Tyler and I, whenever we helped through in Hatchley, whenever we were in high school helping this thing, it was two generations of Wintex before we got, before we got to, got started. Papa moved here from Clovis back in the mid-50s and settled here where the, where the, where the hog farm is. He actually got started raising pigs through the Sears. I think it was a Sears and Roebuck program where you got got you a gilt, bred it up and then gave the gilts back to that program to let other kids get started raising pigs. So that's actually what got him started. I want to say back when dad was little bitty, he always talks about, you know, there's been now that with, with less and less people wanting to work, we've had to automate more stuff around the farm from a feed perspective. Man. I grew up. Tanner and Tyler grew up, dad grew up everybody. We fed everything out of five gallon buckets around here. We didn't, you know, Papa started back, you know, then the 50s with Hampshire sows and then him and dad started implementing some SBF Chesters. We would sell those to, they I guess sold those to Mexico, Taiwan, all overseas and then they got to crossing those Hampton and Chesters up and they're for a long stretch. A down eared blue butt pig was the predominant cross in the show industry. And we were the first ones that had those and were very successful with it. Just a weird, I mean now it seems, you know, it seems obsolete but that was like the main cross, you know, back in the, in the 50s and 60s when dad left for to go to school at OSU, I think there was about 60 to 75 sows here and about 150 ewes. Whenever he went and got back. I think they increased their sow size about 150 and then I know there for a stretch they had close to 1500 ewes they were running. So with the Rambouillets and the Suffolks and stuff like that. So. And it's just been built and you know it's nothing that we've really started. You know, you read all Kinds of different things that, you know, the first generation, second generation builds it, and the third generation screws it off. And I'm just trying not to do that. I want to try to keep this thing going. So it's a hard. It's a hard thing to do, I can assure you.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Huh. So you mentioned that y' all sent some to Taiwan. How. I never heard much of that. How's the industry and stuff there? You know much about it, I don't.

[Will Winters]

I know that there's all kinds of export business going on back in that day. I mean, it was. It was just niche markets and just getting. Getting in with those guys. And I still remember the news channels coming out whenever we had some Taiwanese buyers come over. I still remember the news channels coming out when I was little bitty. But just as time has changed and the commercial world is so advanced and so sophisticated with all that stuff, it's kind of taken. It's kind of blown all the little guys kind of out of the water, Right.

[Luke]

So now what I want to talk to you about is you start Wintex, or you take it over and keep it running. Why show pigs? Is that. Was that something before you got there that was initially started, or did you help it take it to the next level, or is that something you began when you started?

[Will Winters]

No, I would say when dad got back, they implemented some crosses along with the Chesters and Hamps and started working towards that some more as time and the industries have all evolved and changed. That purebred game is a hard thing to keep up with. And honestly, geographically, it turned over into a more of a crossbred and a barrow situation just from the southwest with no, you know, no purebreds, purebred pedigrees, or nothing at our shows. That's when more of the crosses kind of took over. As far as. More of our focus, we'd love to. And we still have probably more. More purebreds than I would, say, anybody else in the state, for the most part. So we try to keep that implemented into our purebred program or crossbred program. But I would say since. Since I've gotten back, we've kind of. We've still maintained probably a 50, 50 split on crosses and purebreds. But then purebreds, man, they. They stretch from Chesters, Landraces, Burke's, Durocs, Yorks. We don't have any hamps anymore, really. So it's a 50, 50 split, I would say, on. On what we're on what we have. But then purebreds we've kind of diversified into all the breeds at this point.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Nice. So, like you mentioned earlier that you showed growing up and everything, and y' all have had this wind takes going on for generations. What's some of the biggest changes and trends that's changed back since you showed kind of towards now?

[Will Winters]

Oh, gosh, yeah, we, we. Back when I showed, we showed them tall. Them tall, skinny, no bellied ones. And I can remember some of them shows going to San Antonio and you, you did your. You weighed in and sifted the same day. You came off a set of scales and you went right and you sifted in on having to make it to the show the next day and then you could fill them up. But I mean, we went from that. We went to the little squatty ones there in the 80s and we've seen, gosh, I mean, I'm sure not, not even as drastic changes as dad has seen, but, man, we've seen a bunch of them here just in the past couple years. Kind of feel like we're getting kind of to the happy medium as far as a confirmation deal goes. Now we're just trying to figure out how the hell to keep them built worth. Worth a damn.

[Luke]

Right. So in terms of bore selection nowadays, what is the hardest thing you find that makes a good bore? That it's beneficial to the industry as of right now, whether it's cross or purebred?

[Will Winters]

Oh, hell, that's for. That's. That's a, that's a podcast in itself. I would say the hard, the hardest thing is to balance. It ain't even got a dang thing to do with the pig anymore. It's just trying to balance, you know, popularity and just height to sell them out of. Because there's. I'm trying to be very, very conscientious on who all this is going to go to, but it's not about the pig. It's where it's at, what it cost. And that's why I'm going to get chastised for this. But this industry's pretty upside down at the moment because it's not about the build of the pig. It's just about the popularity of it. That's why I feel like we're. We're kind of in a crossroad and a turning point or a. I don't even know what the right word to say is, man. There's just not a whole lot of. There's not a whole lot of people that do this for a living anymore. And, you know, back when back when I was a kid, there were hundreds of guys, seed stock producers that did it for a living. That mattered. If they put food on the table for their family, their stock had to be good so people would come buy them. Now it's, everybody's got a few sows and it's great, it's great for the industry because there's a whole lot of new money that comes in. But at the end of the day, if some of their pigs that they sell don't turn out, it really ain't no big deal. I think that's the biggest challenge at this point. The turnout rate, consistency and depth in a litter is kind of gone by the wayside. Everybody's just trying to make that one. And those ones are so few and far between that, man. People have to buy so many pigs just to get something eligible for a show is not what this thing's supposed to be about. But that's what, that's what we're fighting in this day and age on just trying to make sure that we get more depth and quality out of what we're doing. That's what we use a lot of home race stuff and we'll branch out and use outside stuff too. But we try to research and try to find stuff that's out of some deeper litters that are out of some key sows. Not just a real popular jackpot, guilt and some new bore. This thing turns over so fast that, and we're just not patient enough to see sometimes where the good traits lie to get it, to get it utilized. Maybe the best we've done gone on to the next one.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah. So I got a question. I know like I've asked a few people about it. On how people like flush and transfer embryos in cattle. And I know the reproductive system is not quite the same in, in swine. Do you think there will be a day where you will be able to flush sows and transfer embryos and do stuff like that?

[Will Winters]

It's closer than you think.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Really.

[Will Winters]

Yeah, I, the old, the old soul. I feel like I grew up in a different generation. I just feel out of place a lot of times, man. I, I, it's coming. It's one of those things that you can't. But it's one of those things. I think it takes away the art of breeding good livestock when you can just go buy your high rent one, go flush it to something high rent and go make you something. I mean that's a lot of the, I mean the show cattle deal and you just go buy you. Go buy you a heifer, high dollar or something. Go flusher. And there's a lot of people that raise cattle. There's not very many that people that breed cattle say, no, the pigs, I mean, they're just raising pigs. There's, there's very few people and I'm going to get in it and if I get made fun of for saying that, it's fine. There's just not a whole lot of people that do breed them anymore. And I think that that's going to just magnify and accelerate it to a point that will be where we can't get back.

[Weston Hendricks]

All right, guys, we're going to take just a minute to recognize the businesses and operations that have powered this episode. And we pride ourselves in standing by businesses and operations that make an impact in this industry. And Trademarks Genetics is one of them. At Trademark Genetics, they are committed to excellence in every aspect of their family owned and operated business specializing in elite Red Angus and Red Brangus genetics. They pride themselves on breeding cattle that perform exceptionally in real world conditions, delivering superior quality and lasting value. Whether you are in search of a project for a young exhibitor or looking to enhance your herd with fresh, proven genetics, their mission is to produce high caliber livestock while fostering lifelong relationships. Their bull battery and donor females are rooted in generations of proven performance, maternal strength and impeccable structural integrity traits that add tangible value. Whether your focus is on cow power or carcass quality, they are pleased to offer embryos and semen from standout sires and proven donors across both breeds. Whether establishing a foundation or elevating an existing program, their genetics are designed to advance your operation with confidence. Owned and operated by John Mandy and Madison Fisherman, Trademark Genetics is dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through unparalleled quality and service. We encourage you to connect with Mandy at 713-204-7535 or Madison at 832-963-4233 to explore how they can support your goals. Discover the latest cattle offerings and stay informed on their journey by visiting trademarkgenetics.com and follow them on Facebook and TikTok. But if you're looking for a club calf producer that's diverse in almost every aspect, Reed Vessel Ranches is your answer.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Reed Vessel Ranches is a premier ranching operation specializing in the production of top tier show cattle offering a wide range of American, British and exotic breeds. Over the course of just five years, RVR has grown from four donors and 20 AI cows to over 50 owners and 500 AI cows, ensuring their commitment to quality and excellence. Their success is rooted in a strategic, intentional approach plenty years in advance to maximize the potential for their customers to succeed in the showroom.

[Weston Hendricks]

In addition to breeding competitive show cattle, Reed Vessel Ranch's team is dedicated to offering a full range of services for show preparation, from clipping and fitting to feed management. As expert show assistance, RVR ensures that their clients are fully supported throughout the entire process.

[Unnamed Speaker]

For more information about Reed Vessel Ranches, including their private treaty cattle, SARS donors and upcoming sales, visit their website at reedvesselranches.com but if you're looking for proven.

[Weston Hendricks]

Club calf sires, then stay tuned in.

[Unnamed Speaker]

At Hartman Show Cattle, they believe and stand by the saying, in order to predict the future, you must create it. Which is one of the reasons why they have become so profound in terms of promoting their bulls and show progeny.

[Weston Hendricks]

They have focused on promoting bulls that are backed by pedigrees, knowing that their cow families have a proven track record and their cow families and legacy is what helps ensure predictability and consistency when using their bulls on your cows.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Speaking of promoting bulls, have you heard of Pure Reflection? Well, if you have, you've noticed many of his high sellers and contenders in big ring settings. He speaks for himself and is only DS positive.

[Weston Hendricks]

And when I say he speaks for himself. He sired the next promo bull named Born to Win and he's a TH&DS carrier and the Dame herself has produced over 175000 in 2024 on just six head.

[Unnamed Speaker]

But if you're looking for no genetic defects, that's built until a gray hided bull named Return on Investment, this triple clean bulls damage also produced the grand champion steer at Denver in 2024.

[Weston Hendricks]

If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to reach out to Aaron Hartman himself at 502-655-8323.

[Luke]

Makes sense. So talk to me about how what's the challenge like balancing raising purebreds versus crosses? I mean they've got to somehow help resonate with each other. And regardless of promotion or not, talk to me about how you balance it.

[Will Winters]

Well with the numbers that we've got, we've got an opportunity to expand and make some similar I guess I can kind of out cross in house. That's one of the kind of the benefits that we can do. We still try to we try to line breed until it becomes inbreeding. We kind of back up and then find something different. But I think the biggest challenge is just to be patient in both in both regards because even in the purebred industry now there's a whole lot of people that have, you know, show bearers that raise the purebreds. Now there's very, you know, as you, as you can see generationally those guys just kind of diminish off that the purebred deal is basically the purebred swine industries basically turned into a cross bred and breeding mentality. It's always about the next one. It's not about one that something that made good sows or something that would fix hip length or hind leg looseness two years ago. It's, there's, they just don't have, there's just longevity in this thing. It's all just about how fast and how quick you can get to the next one. So I would say that's the biggest challenge is trying to be patient and build them like you want, but at the same time you got to pay bills. So you, I mean it's, you can, you can, you can stick your heels in the mud all you want, but if, if it's not doing at least enough to where you're successful, where people want to keep buying your stuff, then man, you may, you may go be walking, you may work at all subs.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah, so now she's talking about moving, moving some hogs. I know there's a, there's ton of live sales going on all the time it seems like. And I still know people do a bunch of private treaties there. One you prefer or the other. It's. You still think life sales bring way more money.

[Will Winters]

I would, I honestly would prefer to be able to do more private treaty with the numbers that we've got, man, it would take up all day, every day just doing that. We would. With the, with the amount of people that travel with us and show with us that still buy from us and outside people. We try to have live sales and we're one of the few that just have live sales. It's just us because we can have 100 to 150 a night, but we try to still have those live sales in that setting because everybody knows that all of those pigs will be at that sale, that we didn't sell them out earlier, we didn't sell them to somebody else and then they don't have to worry about who got in before who and who got to pick first or none of that kind of stuff. So I still prefer them the live setting just because, you know, the excitement, that's a part of it. You know, the online racehorse deal has been great for people to have exposure to everybody in the industry, but at the same time, you know, with, with having 100, 150, you know, every night, it. Man, them three o' clock in the morning deals don't sound any fun to me.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Right.

[Luke]

So you talked, talked about exposure a minute ago in this episode, I really wanted to heavily focus on what you think we should do to make sales provide longevity. Because from what you're describing to me right now, that's a really hard thing to do or something that's probably being intertwined because we're moving too fast. So I want to go in depth on how do you think, not theoretically, but realistically, we can create sows that have more longevity.

[Will Winters]

Well, I think that, I mean, and, and it starts with guys like you. I mean, whenever you get done with your judging career and you go off into judging shows, not to just pick on the fad stuff that's just quantitative off of hair and bone, that shit doesn't have any longevity in sows. It's actually probably the most counterproductive thing you can have. But that's the damn thing. Skinny necks, big legs and hair translates not a damn bit on longevity with sows. Hip length, squareness, build, looseness of skeleton, those are the things that offer longevity. But those things will get you about fourth or fifth in a jackpot show because they're not long necked and high headed and walk slow and have long hairs off their legs, I guess. But it starts with judges that dig their heels in and say, hey, we're gonna start building these things. Right. How they move matters more than where their head comes out of their shoulder and how much freaking adhesive is in their damn lap.

[Luke]

I was gonna ask you that.

[Will Winters]

Yeah, that's the reality. That's why we're in the ditch, is because we're, we're using stuff that makes no damn sense to longevity. But most of the guy, I mean, it's not like I said, I believe, I believe that I, I fit in a different generation. I don't belong here. But we're trying, I'm trying to build and maintain stuff that dad and Papa have done and what Tanner's still doing and, and, and build something for Colter and Sutton to. And it doesn't get built on, you know, short, short interval stuff.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah. So now that, I mean, especially in the show when these things are getting crazy pieces, so you as a breeder still having such a good, correct foundation, you're in your s. Are you slowly trying to like add certain pieces of those to kind of match your show ring. Are you still kind of sticking to what you like?

[Will Winters]

No, we're still. I mean, you can, that's the whole thing is if, if you build your females correctly and it's built in generationally, you can implement those pieces and it won't foul you up too bad. Where you can take that piece, run it back through your own stuff if you want to, or send it off somewhere and then use it, you can still utilize that stuff. I'm not against it. I'm just against. When that's the whole focus. It just makes no sense that that's the whole focus to me. And I mean, it's what it is because we get beat by it all the time and I just sit there and just take it and go on. But at the end of the day, whenever we go show to these guys, if they say something and they describe them accurately and they say, hey, this is what I like, I'm cool with it. But next time I show to them, they better dang sure use what they said they did because we're going to take that to them the next time. It's when they can't, they can't. There's inconsistency and just up and down, just have a kind. It doesn't matter if I like it or if Jason like, he likes it or if my dad likes it, it doesn't matter. Just use the same dang thing every time and be consistent. That's the whole thing with raising livestock, with judging anything. Consistency is what will get you from one generation to the next, I believe.

[Luke]

Yes, sir, and I agree with that. And so you're talking about consistency and how maybe we lack some of it in today's society. Is that something do you think can be fixed here in the next five years or 10 years, or that would maybe help us evolve in a better, more substantial way?

[Will Winters]

Oh, I think so. I think everything's fixable. I just think that, you know, it stems from the top on people that, you know, it's not even the judge's fault. You know, the shows that hire the judges need. I mean, they need to research these guys and just make sure that, you know, that they are hittable. I mean, that's the whole thing. There's guys that have made significant, I'm not going to say a significant living judging, but they've judged for years because they're hittable. Warren Bealer. I can still go hit Warren Bealer today. Scott Griner judges from one species to the other, from one coast to the other. Because the man's consistent, he's hittable that. I mean it's, it can be done. It's just a matter of the. A lot of today's deal is just off social media and hype and just pushing this and that and just, just having your own kind. It's fine. If, if they're not gonna be your buddy because they don't like what you like, then heaven forbid, go find another buddy. It's okay. You can like what you like. Just stick to your guns. You just do it consistently and you'll be fine.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Right, so now when you're in the ring, so now you're in the ring, other side, watching the show, judging the show, do you like what's going through your mind? Is there a certain one you're looking for is just kind of what's out here? I'm gonna pick what's closest to my kind.

[Will Winters]

Yeah, it's, it's. And, and that's what makes it fun. You know, when you get to judge and you're, you are in the trenches and, and you do have what you want, it's just getting the closest to what you want. Not trying to piece it together on, well, this one's narrow or this one's bow legged or whatever. And, and you know, a lot of what we try to do here is obviously, you know, chest and front end build, you know, slope to knee and then fore rib shape. But then how they move from the side, man, I think is key and just athleticism, you know, I guess I'm on the other end from some of these other guys that, you know, just solely, you know, everything's off. Squareness from behind and you know, like, like I've told some of them, you know, one of the most athletic animals on the earth is a dead gum racehorse. You watch a racehorse run away from you, them legs are going everywhere, but they can put their foot underneath them, show you their foot going away. And they're athletes. So I just. Squareness is one thing, athleticism is another. I don't think that, I don't think it's the same.

[Unnamed Speaker]

That's funny.

[Will Winters]

I just have, you know, have my kind and what we, what I want, what we're trying to build here. And if it's not that, then it's not, it's absolutely nothing personal, but I've had the same kind for a while and I would hope by now people would know if I'm going to like it or not. But by the time they load their trailer.

[Unnamed Speaker]

There you go. It's Funny you bring up racehorses.

[Will Winters]

I was.

[Unnamed Speaker]

There's a racehorse not far from my house, and we were watching some races the other night and watching them walk by. And the ones you think are least likely to win the race are the ones that win. It's crazy. Discombobulated, moving around like this thing ain't gonna be able to run, and next thing you know, they're winning.

[Will Winters]

I'm like, what? Yeah, it's. It's just a. It doesn't. I mean, it doesn't make sense, but, yeah, sometimes it's not supposed to.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah. So now prospect shows, like, I know they can bring some tricked out little suckers into those rings. Is that when you're judging those? Are those more you're trying to see what those will look like however many months down the road? Are you kind of judging them as they walk in?

[Will Winters]

Oh, God, yeah. I don't even know. I mean, it's a hard thing to balance. Those things really aren't any fun for me to judge anymore because just doing this every single day of the week, I can see stuff that's gonna happen in 90 days from now that you call them out for it and they chastise you for it, and then 90 days later, what you say is gonna happen happens. So they're not any fun to me anymore, but it's just still got to do it because there's still, at that point, sometimes some things that you can teach people, if they're willing to learn and they're willing to show up, they don't just get mad and get. You know, they won three out of four rings and they shouldn't have, but the one guy that beat them, you know, is an idiot. And then get on Facebook and bash them for it. Just so dumb. There's more of that that goes on that needs to. But people are passionate about what they have, obviously.

[Luke]

Yes, sir. So we're talking about judging, and obviously me and Luke met you at winter workout and such. What I want to know is how has the reasons room changed from when you were in college now and then, on top of that, how does us being in college transcend into us being in the show ring and judging? When is it the right time for kids our age to finally judge a show?

[Will Winters]

That's a real good question. I would say. I don't know how to answer all that, to be honest with you. That's a multifaceted deal. I would say the. One of the biggest changes is Yalls reasons. This in this day and age are a bunch more can maybe more condensed and it's more of a. More showy I guess than would say it was more meat and potatoes back whenever. Back whenever we. Whenever I judged. I would still say the same thing from then to now is still, you know, some accuracy here and there is probably the biggest. The biggest overcome. Still the biggest obstacle to still overcome. But I would say, I would say now it's more of a presentation deal and less meat and potatoes. And I guess whenever I'm listening to reasons I'm. I'm. You can fumble through it all, but if you're honest and you tell me the truth and you sound like a stock kid, man, I'm gonna, I'm gonna reward that more than a, than a Barack Obama that doesn't act like they've ever sat behind a sow before. But I would say the right time, I guess is whenever you feel. You get asked and you feel comfortable, I guess one thing for me is, is I do wish that they would go back and, and keep you guys from probably judging until you get done. Senior college wise. I don't know if you guys being able to judge a jackpot and then go show it another jackpot the next day, it's probably something that needs to happen just. And I'm not saying it's not from a knowledge perspective, but there's some still growing up to do. And I know that if you guys could freeze frame where you're at now and look back in three years from now, you're going to, you're going to be like, yeah, I wasn't quite. You know, you just. Your eyes get opened up to so much more stuff so quickly now that I think sometimes they get pushed in. You guys jump into the fire maybe a little quick and then, you know, then as time goes on and you and you get settled into it, you guys do better. I'm not saying that none of y' all do a good job off the, off the bat, but I do feel like maybe just waiting just a minute just from a maturity deal because I was the same way. I mean, I judged early and often and until I got, you know, out. And I promise you, I hope both y' all are a long ways off in this, but until you have kids, you really don't understand. I mean, it changes everything about how you, how you handle yourself, how you view stuff. But I'm not gonna say everybody needs to wait till be a parent till they need to judge. But I'd say jumping right into the. To judging shows like before you're done with senior college. And I still feel like that's kind of jumping the gun. But that's just a personal deal because I've seen it on both sides that I've seen. I've seen a kid or two do it, you know, before they were done and then maybe a year after they got out of senior college, different people. So it's just a. If you don't feel like you're ready, then don't do it. Don't feel like you have to do it. As soon as you get called, there's not enough good ones out there to do it. So you will get your. You will get a chance even if you turn one or two of them down.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Do you think judges need to go through collegiate judging to be able to judge shows or major shows in general?

[Will Winters]

No, not necessarily. I think more of the judging deal is just to handle the pressure, you know, of being in that situation and being under a time constraint and just getting to go. I think that's probably the big. The biggest, you know, I don't think you have to do it. No, I would say I would like for, you know, like this top judge program that just getting started. Man, I think that's awesome on some guys getting selected to just teach them the backwards on how to. How to operate a ring and how to manage a show crew and what. How to. You know, there's a lot that goes in that just isn't about just placing the pig so. Or steers or whatever it is. But no, I don't think you have to go through the program. I do, I do think it's beneficial, but I don't think it's life altering that you have to do it.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah, I like that. Now switch it up a little bit. I've seen the Wintex name on Wintex White and Punch. Is that products y' all created or how was that?

[Will Winters]

Yep, dad created that. Wintex White. Oh man, is back before. Before I was born, I think used it a bunch on sheep and I know they use it a bunch on white cattle and pigs everywhere. There's been like it says on the bottle, often imitated, never duplicated. I think that's what dad said on it and it's still the case. Punch is something we've come up here lately on just a different electrolyte that we. We were trying to fill a void with some different electrolyte bases and. And just kind of fit with what we were needing. Took us a little bit while to get some kinks worked out, but yeah, they Were just needs that we had here at the house and. And decided to offer it to everybody else.

[Luke]

Yes. So now I want to talk to you a little bit about your cattle herd. You mentioned earlier that y' all had like about 150 recepts or cows in general. And then we were at winter workout. We went through that pin obviously a steers and there's obviously quality there. How is that coming along and what's your goal for that and is there going to be some sales here in the future or what's. What's the goal with all that?

[Will Winters]

That's all real fluid at the moment. Yeah, it's. We may try to have. We may try to do something this next year. It'll all just be numbers based on. But yeah, that. That set that you guys have all here, my kids have all. We didn't sell them all. We got them all here. Which was ultimately the goal when we bought our first one for Colter's first Christmas was our first cow that we bought. So I guess we're 11 years in now. But that was the goal was to. Was to raise them. And I mean we're not planning on winning no shows, but a couple sell holes here and there when you raise them, dang sure offsets a 30, 40, 50,000 in the whole show steer.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Absolutely.

[Will Winters]

But we've. I guess we've got at the moment looks like we're going to validate eight steers for two kids and one of them, they'll be her first year showing. So we'll see how it all goes. I mean it's like any like especially like the pigs once you, once you get them validated is when they'll probably go to crap. But like what we got so far it's that American deal has been fun for us and we've raised a couple of of you know, haired black steers and stuff. So we'll see. It's. It is still May, so there's a lot of time for stuff to go wrong.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah, that's sweetened cattle look good. Do you ever think, well you still like the hogs more or does the cattle compare even close to it for you?

[Will Winters]

The cattle is a good. Is a good release and getaway. You'll get on the four wheeler and go check calves and stuff. Go to the ranch and go look at stuff and just kind of, you know, get away for a minute. Nah, pigs is still where it's at. I mean it's what's built this place. I'm gonna try to keep it going but the cattle are cattle. Dangster have their. Have their spot. It's. It's been a fun, fun thing for dad and I to, you know, build something, you know, on our together. But, yeah, I mean, heck, we've done. Done calved out two years from now, show set. So when you get to see them for that long, it kind of. You get attached to kids. Get it. Everybody gets attached to them because they're here for so dang long.

[Luke]

Right? So being a breeder and watching what's happened the last two years, where do you think the steer game is headed now?

[Will Winters]

Don't. I'm the last person. I'm just a show dad that I'm a pick. I'm a pig breeder that's got cows. Don't even be asking me about that. We're still. We're still pig breeders at heart. And I'm sure most people drive by and look at our cows, they'll probably think, looks like a pig guy raised those because.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Right.

[Will Winters]

We're trying to build them all to slick. And some of them have some hairs, but I don't know, it seems like they're adding a little more, you know, punch and some real stuff to them now, which I'm. I'm all for. Some of them, man. Some of them hair deals. I don't know. They look like a wet rat sometimes. I just. I can't. We can't do that here. I gotta look at them too long.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Right. So you'd mentioned in beginning this episode how y' all had a ton of sheep or a big herd of sheep that you're like other generations had. Did that just kind of fall off or. Where. Where did that go? Why you don't raise anymore?

[Will Winters]

Yeah, Coulter was out. He went to go down and feed ewes with me. He's out. Like, I couldn't get him to get off the gator to go help. He covered his ears and screamed and just. He was out. And the other. The other part of this whole story is we can show steers as a family because they show the same week as pigs do at the majors. So we go to all these majors. We hold over with them pigs to go into them shows. We can take our steers there, too, because they go in the same time or day or two, you know, one day off of each other. The sheep and the goats are showing while we're at holdover for the pigs. And we've got all these families that I'm helping. Well, I can't be showing a sheep in San Antonio. While all the pigs are at holdover. So it was more of a timing deal on what schedule allowed for our family to show.

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[Luke]

Family is always number one. With that said kind of wrap this up here soon some of your mentors and people you looked up to that allowed you to become the person you are today.

[Will Winters]

Oh, good Lord. Obviously, dad, he's. He's the number 1 1. Then, then it branches off in so many different ways there. You know, Papa, even at an early age instilled a lot of stuff in me. I mean he passed away when I was, when I was nine. But you know, even coaching and how to coach and handle other kids, you know, Clay Elliott, whenever I was at Tech, whenever I was judging there and coaching with him, you know, and taking stuff from other industries and other people, you know, like, you know, I steal stuff from Chance Neff and Brent Titus and Kate Hoffman a bunch. You know, I try to, I try to steal stuff off of, you know, Cromwell that you just, you got loyal to the brand there. Looks like, you know, Dan Young's helped out a bunch on a bunch of different avenues. You know, we started this cattle deal with a bunch of cows from Ryan Went. There's, you know, Judd, them, they, I mean, people like that. I mean, and then there's a whole lot of people that, you know, in this day and age, as fast as this thing goes, people that just push you, you know, like, like Jason, you know, Lackey, he's one of my best friends and you know, there's competitive and try to, try to stay up and be competitive with them is pushed. So there's, there's influences that are, you know, that last from, you know, when you're a kid and there's stuff day to day influences. So man, there's, you know, Stanley Young was my county agent. He, you know, he, you know. Yeah, there's, I mean there's so many people. I don't. It could be a podcast itself on just stories from people that have helped because you know, Jerry Hawkins for getting me to come up to Clarendon, rest his soul. I mean he. The list of people that, that have influenced me is, is. Is literally endless. So.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah. Sweet. So I was, I was working a ring while you were judging. I believe it was the cross guilt at a purebred show in Belton this past fall or spring. And like, you seem like a pretty upbeat, high going guy. What gets you going every morning? Is there a quote, a Bible verse? Like something you listen to? What gets you going?

[Will Winters]

Oh, there's all kinds of verses, but I mean it's a. There's a deal in the basement that's a painting that I refuse to be average. And you can't do that with half assing anything. I mean on everything we've got whatever it takes. That's kind of a mantra that we've got around here, and that's got nothing to do with any cheating or any. Just giving it everything you've got. You know, that Ted Lasso and that Walt Whitman quote. You know, be curious, not judgmental. I mean, it's real easy to sit there and judge other people, and you don't have any idea what people are going through. That's where that whole be nice deal there, Denver, many, many years ago, come through. Just everybody's. Everybody's battling something. So just don't. I mean. But yeah, I mean, it's. It's. There's. There's stuff wrote and quotes and paintings everywhere, all over this place, but we're. We're. Whatever it takes kind of people around here. It's kind of where you got to be in. In production, agriculture anymore if you're gonna. If you're gonna make it. Just because it's a fast. Hey, it's a fast world we live in, don't y' all know?

[Luke]

Yes, sir, I agree. For the last question of this episode, I've kept it around because I love all the perspectives that we get from it. And what I'd like to ask you, Will, is what empowers you to be better than who you were before?

[Will Winters]

Them two kids and that wife and that house of mine, they. They deserve nothing but the best for me. And. And I can't build. Build something for them if. If. If I'm not better. If I'm not better tomorrow than what I was today.

[Luke]

Yes, sir, I completely agree. Family matters.

[Will Winters]

Papa and dad deserve everything, what they've built for me to keep it going.

[Luke]

So usually at the end of these episodes, we always like to finish with a scripture. I feel as if we need to keep that in this season because if it wasn't for the good Lord up above, none of us would be able to do all that we can. And so today's scripture comes from Titus 3:5, and it says, he saved us not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us new birth and new life through his Holy Spirit. And reading that kind of what I get out of that. I don't know about you all, but it is the fact that no matter what we go through or the hard times, as long as we keep our faith, keep our control and mindset together, that he will be there for us and not against us.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Absolutely. I'm with that.

[Will Winters]

Amen to that.

[Luke]

Well, Mr. Winters, I appreciate everything that you've done for us. Especially at winter workout. I know Bling College really appreciated that, but more so, I appreciate you coming on my platform with me and Luke and just talking about your story a little bit and honestly, keeping it a little real. We kind of needed that, honestly, so. I do appreciate that.

[Will Winters]

It's not popular sometimes, I promise.

[Luke]

Yeah, I. Yeah, it's like that. I know, but sometimes people just need to hear that.

[Will Winters]

I've got four friends. That's fine.

[Luke]

That's right.

[Will Winters]

Well, Weston, I appreciate you having me. There's something else I can do for you guys. Just let me know.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yes, sir.

[Luke]

For everyone listening, thank you all for tuning in. This is empowering you with.

[Will Winters]

Thank you all.

[Luke]

Yes, sir.

[Will Winters]

Sa.