EmpowerU Podcast: Garcia/Lehne Make Your Mark Sale Preview

Date: April 4, 2026
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guests: Junior Garcia (Garcia Livestock, herd manager for Reed Vestal Ranches), Dusty Laney (Laney Livestock)
Purpose: Preview of the third annual Garcia/Lehne “Make Your Mark” Sale, discussion on standout lots, previous success stories, and expert insights into genetics, cattle prospects, and opportunities for families in the Texas livestock show circuit.

Episode Overview

This episode is a comprehensive preview of the Garcia/Lehne “Make Your Mark” Sale—an event established by Junior Garcia and Dusty Laney to bring high-quality show cattle to South Texas. The conversation dives deep into previous successes, detailed breakdowns of this year’s lots, strategy behind their breeding, and the event's community impact. It's packed with firsthand insights for seasoned cattlemen and new show families alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin and Purpose of the Sale

Timestamp: 00:38 – 03:10

• Sale Genesis: Junior and Dusty's collaboration was driven by a need for a premium cattle sale in South Texas.
  • “We saw the opportunity and the need for bringing another sale of high quality cattle and of a high caliber to the South Texas region where Dusty's at.” — Junior Garcia (00:50)
• Venue: The sale occurs at Dusty’s place, described as “nostalgic” with a legacy of great cattle.
• Proven Success: Over half of last year’s 20 lots placed at Texas majors.
  • Families have found “a lot of fun and success here in the Texas majors.” — Host (00:10)

2. Highlighting Last Year’s Results

Timestamp: 02:08 – 03:10

• Winners and high placings across Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and district shows.
  • E.g., “Second place heavyweight Angus in San Antonio. A class winning shorthorn at what we would call our district show.” — Dusty Laney (02:08)
• Standout genetics, including a heifer now in Junior’s donor pen and her maternal brother offered this year.
• “Genetics that are working, and we expect these to prevail even more.” — Junior Garcia (03:07)

3. Lot-By-Lot Sale Preview

Each lot gets in-depth commentary from Host, Junior, and Dusty, covering pedigree, phenotype, disposition, and show potential.

Lot 1: Heifer Prospect

Timestamp: 03:10 – 05:32

• Pedigree: New World Order x Laney Livestock’s 154 (Heat Wave/Black & White Paint)
• Commentary:
  • “Extremely unique in terms of her maternal silhouette...future donor type.” — Host (03:18), Junior Garcia (05:10)
  • “I feel like that’s helped me get ahead in regards to the black cross cattle that I’ve strived to produce.” — Dusty Laney (04:00)

Lot 2: Red Steer

Timestamp: 05:47 – 07:54

• Pedigree: Back to Good x Paid in Full
• Commentary:
  • “He’s a class one or two hammer. That Fort Worth hair quality is awesome.” — Junior Garcia (06:30)
  • “He’s definitely thinking about buying back for my daughter’s first year.” — Dusty Laney (07:47)

Lot 3: King of Kings Steer

Timestamp: 08:09 – 10:29

• Pedigree: King of Kings x 2035 (Trans Am x Pump Daddy HooDoo)
• Versatile prospect; quartered to highlight shape; strong hair quality.
• “Kind of calves that I like to feed, which is why he’s in the sale.” — Dusty Laney (08:45)
• “His mother is a spectacle to look at—freaky in a great way.” — Junior Garcia (09:39)

Lot 4: RVR Special—Brangus Prospect

Timestamp: 10:29 – 12:38

• Pedigree: RVR Special x Wolf x 1408 (Solid Gold/Air 721)
• “Humongous hips, big squishy feet. I do think he classes.” — Junior Garcia (11:38)
• “He’s got a presence that is very unique and will get you noticed.” — Dusty Laney (12:24)
• He'll need grit and patience; not "kid broke," but high potential for older exhibitors.

Lot 5: One Oak Steer

Timestamp: 12:38 – 15:12

• Pedigree: One Oak x 2104 (Front & Center/Smoking Bob HooDoo)
• Family favorite, may run as shorthorn or red cross.
• “Touchdown. All his pieces are huge…born to be a winner.” — Dusty Laney (13:12)
• “I don’t see a reason this one wouldn't class as a shorty at Fort Worth.” — Junior Garcia (14:00)

Lots 6 & 7: Angus Prospects

Timestamps: Lot 6: 15:12 – 16:53 | Lot 7: 16:53 – 18:45

• Both lots are dual-purpose, high-quality, easy feeding, and quiet tempered.
• “I know he’ll feed into a good fat later on.” — Dusty Laney (15:36)
• “One that probably gets better every day of his life.” — Junior Garcia (16:21)
• “He’s got a big hip, some substance to his bone… and easy disposition.” — Junior Garcia (17:19)

Lot 8: Main/Black Cross

Timestamp: 18:45 – 20:29

• Pedigree: Here I Am x Good As It Gets
• Unique quartered look, exceptional balance.
• “Will end up be 12 o’clock wherever...awesome slick and ste.” — Host (18:45)
• “He’s cool colored, stout, what you see is what you get...mega pieces.” — Dusty Laney (20:13)

Lot 9: Water to Wine Steer

Timestamp: 20:29 – 22:27

• Pedigree: Water to Wine x 337 (Solar Flare/Wise Guy/HooDoo)
• Top quality hair, big feet, balanced build.
• “He’s got huge pieces...now he’s coming into his own.” — Dusty Laney (20:54)
• “Division 1 at Fort Worth...sheared off as a red cross somewhere is going to make someone look really smart.” — Junior Garcia (21:32)

Lot 10 & 11: Dual Purpose Prospects

Timestamps: Lot 10: 22:27 – 24:32 | Lot 11: 24:32 – 26:18

• Lot 10: How Great Thou Art x RVRS 9112 (BDR/CCS 1157)
• Lot 11: In God We Trust x full sister to Lot 10’s dam
• Both “dual purpose” with excellent structure and banner potential.
• “He looks, I mean, he’s a good calf.” — Dusty Laney (24:11, Lot 10)
• “I’d definitely try the shorthorn thing for sure.” — Dusty Laney (25:58, Lot 11)

Lot 12: Colt 45 Steer

Timestamp: 26:18 – 28:02

• “He is definitely another one of these Fort Worth division ones...extremely hairy.” — Dusty Laney (26:45)
• “He could hair and be competitive at Fort Worth.” — Junior Garcia (27:26)

Lot 13: Game Changer Prospect

Timestamp: 28:02 – 30:32

• Pull Hereford or Red Cross, standout for breed or cross division.
• “He’s got everything a show calf needs to show and feed into a really good one.” — Dusty Laney (30:12)

Lot 14: In God We Trust—ABC/American

Timestamp: 30:32 – 33:09

• Exceptionally structured American prospect.
• “He’s ideal in terms of his structure...banner worthy wherever you take him.” — Junior Garcia (32:05)

Lot 15: Blackhawk Down—Simbrah Prospect

Timestamp: 33:09 – 36:39

• Cool brindle color, “first-year kid gentle,” excellent for Houston.
• “He’s got all the right parts and pieces to be a good cheering one.” — Dusty Laney (36:10)

4. Semen Lots (16-20)

Timestamp: 36:39 – 38:38

• Offered to promote key genetic lines—In God We Trust, BDR, Horn Livestock Bull Mix, Swinging Heat.
• “If you can’t get a calf, well, at least you can help your genetic side.” — Junior Garcia (36:57)

5. Final Reflections & Encouragement

Timestamp: 38:38 – End

• Both Junior and Dusty affirm their commitment to offering the highest quality cattle and their openness to consult and educate buyers.
• “Make Your Mark” is about empowering families and creating new opportunities.
  • “We stand behind all the calves…we do feel that all 15 of them are high quality.” — Junior Garcia (38:49)
  • “Whether you want to go haired, slick, breed, crossbred, it’s all here. One stop shop.” — Dusty Laney (40:06)

Notable Quotes

• “The traffic’s been awesome. Dusty’s in a good spot. That barn...is awesome. It’s kind of nostalgic. There’s been a lot of good cattle that have come through that place.” — Junior Garcia (00:57)
• “If you came out and looked at my donor cows, I don’t have a bunch of short squatty steer-looking mamas. My mamas are cows.” — Dusty Laney (03:51)
• “We stand behind all the calves on this sale. We’ve been fortunate to have great success...we don’t expect anything short of this set.” — Junior Garcia (38:49)
• “There’s something for everyone. Whether you want to go haired, slick, breed, crossbred—it’s all here.” — Dusty Laney (40:06)

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-------------------------------------|----------------| | Sale origin and purpose | 00:38 – 03:10 | | Last year’s major show results | 02:08 – 03:10 | | Lot-by-lot preview | 03:10 – 36:39 | | Semen lots and genetic opportunities| 36:39 – 38:38 | | Final remarks & contact info | 38:38 – 40:37 |

Tone and Style

The conversation is straightforward, practical, and highly passionate about cattle breeding, family involvement, and building community success. The speakers combine technical evaluation (“big squishy feet,” “level lines,” “hair quality”) with genuine enthusiasm for each lot and the legacy they’re building. The tone is confident yet welcoming to buyers at any experience level.

For Listeners

If you’re considering the Make Your Mark Sale and haven’t listened:

• This episode provides detailed insights into each lot’s strengths and suitability for specific Texas shows.
• The hosts and guests are open for direct contact and further questions.
• The sale occurs April 12th on Steer Bidder.

Contact:

• Dusty Laney and Junior Garcia’s contact information can be found on the Steer Bidder listing.
• Prospective buyers are encouraged to visit Dusty’s place, view cattle, and reach out for guidance.

Summary prepared by EmpowerU Podcast Summaries.