EmpowerU Podcast — "Laflin Angus Sale Preview"
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guests: Josh Laughlin (Laflin Angus) & Ashley Purvine
Date: April 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This special preview episode dives deep into the upcoming Laflin Angus Sale (April 6th on SC Online Sales), showcasing an elite set of registered Angus females and exceptional genetic opportunities. Host Weston Hendrix is joined by longtime Angus breeder Josh Laughlin from Clay Center, Kansas, and seedstock specialist Ashley Purvine. Together, they discuss individual sale lots, pedigree insights, and the stories behind these standout Angus cattle.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Laflin Angus Philosophy & Background

[00:42] Josh Laughlin:

• Fifth-generation Angus breeder, family operation since 1900 in Clay Center, KS.
• Zero pressure, total passion: "It’s just in my blood, love doing it."
• Foundation cow family: The Galaxy line. Known for versatility, maternal quality, and “bulletproof” genetics.
• Josh’s program direction: “Raising top-tier, elite registered Angus cattle—whether for the show ring or foundational herd building.”

2. Episode Introductions & Expertise

[03:04] Ashley Purvine:

• Recently joined the EmpowerU team.
• Hails from Oklahoma; operates with her family, focused on Simmental, SimAngus, and Angus seedstock.
• Purebred and seedstock focus, keen on pedigree and maternal traits.

3. Deep Dive: Featured Sale Lots

(Each lot is discussed with extensive background, pedigree info, show and cow prospect qualities)

Lot 1: Dignity x Galaxy

[04:08]

• Josh: “No holes kind of heifer…catches your eye with her front end, silhouette and rib shape is a little extra good.”
• Ashley: Highlights pedigree power—Dignity on Casino; her maternal sister is Lot 17.

Lot 2: Primo x Blackbird 5000 (Insight line)

[06:21]

• Full sib to national champion SSF Envious Blackbird 5022.
• Josh: Serendipitous embryo story, standout since day one.
• Ashley: "Incredible body shape, build to last a long time. Owning a full sib to a national champion is a unique opportunity."

Lot 3 & 20: Dignity x Savannah Style 7000 (Beauty & Beast Sisters)

[09:22]

• Josh: “Big, burly, massive everywhere…robust, donor cow prospect more than a show heifer.” Acquired cow after seeing prospects.
• Ashley: “Screams power cow…impressive balance of power and femininity.”

Lot 4: Framework x Forever Lady

[13:28]

• Rookie Framework calf crop; only a few heifers available.
• Josh: “No holes, high-quality show cow prospect; gentle, functional.”
• Ashley: Perfect cow prospect, “epitome of Angus cattle that consistently work.”

Lot 5: Beaver Creek Rip x Blackbird 2120

[15:50]

• Josh: Sampled “undiscovered” new sire, daughter is high-growth, muscle and look.
• Ashley: Rip daughters show promise—great EPDs without sacrificing look and performance.

Lots 6 & 7: Udell New Heights x Galaxy 8465 (Full Sibs)

[18:44]

• Lot 6: “Big old booty, big top, and a big belly but still show heifer look.” (Josh)
• Lot 7: More frame, length of spine; both “alert, upheaded, sound.”
• Ashley: “Six is my kind—huge dimension and power...Seven brings more frame. Either would be an incredible purchase out of Udell New Heights.”

Lot 9: Rose Replay x Galaxy 8465

[22:07]

• Noted for length of spine, level hip, maternal sweep.
• Josh: “Casino on casino—intentional. She’s got big ‘paws,’ flexible, and comfortable.”
• Ashley: Dam raised the champion PGS bull at NJAS. “Only gets better with time; unique combination of show and genetic merit.”

Lot 10: Malson’s First Reaction x Plum Creek Annie Lou

[24:24]

• Resource granddaughter; high flexibility, neat design.
• Josh: “Annie Lou hind leg…all fundamentals, still got the look.”
• Ashley: “All the brood cow basics in check—genetics lay the foundation for success.”

Lot 11: Deep Canyon x 2307 (Craftsman line)

[27:27]

• Moderate, easy-fleshing, low-input show prospect.
• Josh: “Perfect for a junior starting out. Gentle, right pedigree.”
• Ashley: “Perfect PGS show heifer; top 30% in every EPD. Build a base around her.”

Lot 12–14: Hummel Palermo x Bar EL Erica 74A (Canadian Outcross Trio)

[29:37] (Extensive segment)

• Josh’s favorite. Sourced embryos from influential Canadian cow—unique outcross genetics (Argentina to Canada to U.S.).
• Josh: “Borderline unicorn…to have a heifer where the sire is from Argentina, dam from Canada, and looks like Lot 12, that’s rare.”
• Ashley: “Raising cattle is a gamble, going 3 for 3 is the absolute jackpot.”
  • Lot 12: Combination package.
  • Lot 13: Broody, stout, power cow—“Canada would eat this up like cotton candy.” (Josh)
  • Lot 14: “Combination heifer”—biggest boned, still athletic and attractive.

Lot 15: Dignity x PVF Missy (Prairie View Farms)

[42:08]

• Classic “Alan Miller” PVF style heifer, bred for show ring and cow power.
• Josh: Bred based on “a hunch”—yielded a standout.
• Ashley: “Kind that only gets better with time. Great in motion—good livestock only get better when they move.”

Lot 16: White Horse x Galaxy 8465

[46:14]

• Broody, functional female with flexible mating options.
• Josh: “You can mate this one a lot of different ways and look smart in five years.”

Lot 17: New Heights x 9770 (Maternal sister to Lot 1)

[48:39]

• Josh: “Knew she was special from the day she was born. Hind leg is incredible—gets better every day.”
• Ashley: “Time is her best friend—buyer will be glad for investing.”

Lot 18: White Horse x PVF Missy 3173

[50:58]

• Slightly green, will “catch up with time.”
• Josh: “Someone willing to be patient will be rewarded.”
• Ashley: “Pedigree is unique—‘the one everyone else calls green, but you get lucky on.’”

4. Elite Genetic Opportunities (Lots 21–23)

Lot 21: Pregnancy Opportunity from 8465 Cow

[54:33]

• Buyer picks bull: Dignity, New Heights, Capone, or Holyfield.
• “Unfiltered access to the cornerstone of my program” (Josh).
• Ashley: “Insane opportunity—her track record speaks for itself.”

Lot 22: Flush on 7915 Cow (Producer of Lot 3 & 20)

[59:15]

• Buyer’s choice of bull; guarantee of six transferable embryos, no cap.
• Ashley: “Potential lottery ticket. Same cow family as KR Casino, proven impact.”
• Josh: “I’m excited to ‘throw the book’ at this one; she’s already proven with limited calves.”

Lot 23: Flush on Helena 2259

[64:27]

• Bull of buyer’s choice, guarantee of six transfers, no cap.
• Top bull-producing cow (two of the top five sellers in last year’s bull sale).
• Ashley: “Belief that the best cows raise both good bulls and good females.”

5. Exclusive Semen Lots

[68:22]

• Lots 24-25: Natural Law Semen—coveted Canadian maternal sire, hard to find in the U.S.
• Lots 26-28: Laughlin’s Unanimous Semen

“If you want to make top-end, super maternal stuff, get in now—this stuff won’t be around long.” (Josh — 68:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is something I take very seriously; there’s zero pressure—it’s just in my blood.” — Josh Laughlin [00:42]
• “Good livestock only get better when they’re in motion.” — Ashley Purvine [45:16]
• “Lot 12…gets my heart racing. To have a heifer where the sire’s from Argentina and the dam’s from Canada—borderline unicorn.” — Josh Laughlin [30:14]
• “Pedigrees lay the foundation for success regardless of what you’re doing.” — Ashley Purvine [26:49]
• “If you keep at it and you keep rolling and you’ve got your mindset to it, you can get things done.” — Ashley Purvine [12:45]
• “I wanted to offer something that got people inspired or excited…these literally are whatever mating you pick.” — Josh Laughlin (on Lot 21 Pregnancy) [54:54]
• “This heifer would be the perfect fit for a cute little nine-year-old girl that has a bow in her hair and wants to go showing.” — Josh Laughlin [27:46]

Important Lot Segment Timestamps

• Intro/Laflin Angus philosophy: [00:42]
• Ashley’s background: [03:04]
• Lot 1 (Dignity x Galaxy): [04:08]
• Lot 2 (Primo x Blackbird): [06:21]
• Lots 3 & 20 (Dignity x Savannah Style): [09:22][52:44]
• Lot 4 (Framework x Forever Lady): [13:28]
• Lot 5 (Beaver Creek Rip x Blackbird): [15:50]
• Lots 6 & 7 (Udell New Heights x Galaxy): [18:44]
• Lot 9 (Rose Replay x Galaxy): [22:07]
• Lot 10 (First Reaction x Annie Lou): [24:24]
• Lot 11 (Deep Canyon x 2307): [27:27]
• Lots 12-14 (Canadian Outcross Hummel Palermo): [29:37][38:10]
• Lot 15 (Dignity x Missy): [42:08]
• Lot 16 (White Horse x 8465): [46:14]
• Lot 17 (New Heights x 9770): [48:39]
• Lot 18 (White Horse x Missy 3173): [50:58]
• Lot 21 (Pregnancy Opportunity): [54:33]
• Lot 22 (Flush on 7915): [59:15]
• Lot 23 (Flush on Helena 2259): [64:27]
• Semen discussions and closing: [68:22]

Summary Takeaways

• Sale Date: April 6, 2026 (SC Online Sales)
• The offering features the culmination of several years' worth of aggressive cow family acquisition, donor development, and disciplined mating.
• Pedigree diversity, maternal function, structural soundness, and show ring presence are hallmarks throughout.
• Unique opportunities in both live cattle and genetics (pregnancies, flushes, exclusive semen).
• The sale is crafted to empower buyers—whether you’re looking for show females, future donors, or breed-leading herd builders.

Final Thoughts

Ashley Purvine:
“Purebred Angus cattle that offer a lot of different types and kinds and pedigrees...not only cattle you can take to the show ring but also build a herd around.” [70:30]

Josh Laughlin:
“Appreciate you guys having me and being able to ramble on about my cows. That’s every person’s dream, right?” [69:53]

For more information, questions, or to preview lots:
Find the full catalog and contacts at SC Online Sales, and reach out directly to Josh Laughlin or team members for details.

End of Summary