Podcast Summary: EmpowerU – Lazy JB Angus Bull Sale Preview
Podcast: EmpowerU
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guest: Brittany (Lazy JB Angus, 5th-generation Angus breeder)
Episode Date: February 28, 2026
Episode Theme
This episode offers an in-depth preview of the upcoming Lazy JB Angus Bull Sale, set for March 8th, 2026, at the Lazy JB Ranch in Montrose, Colorado. Celebrating both a 100-year ranch legacy and the 25th annual live sale, Brittany walks through the sale catalog and highlights not only key bull and heifer lots but also the guiding philosophies and objectives of Lazy JB’s breeding program.
Major Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background on Lazy JB Angus and Sale Overview
- Historic Milestone: The family is celebrating 100 years since the brand's purchase by Brittany's great-great-grandfather; Brittany is fifth-generation in Angus breeding (00:45).
- Sale Structure: 42 bulls (41 registered Angus, 1 commercial out of a half-blood Simmental cow) and 5 handpicked females are on offer (01:36).
- Dual-Focus Program: Lazy JB strives to blend show-quality phenotype with genetic merit suitable for both commercial and seedstock customers:
“Everyone talks about balance, but I think that we truly represent that because...there are a world of our customers that are only in the commercial industry...and we've decided to take on the challenge...to couple both of the worlds together.” – Brittany (01:55)
2. Detailed Lot and Sire Group Discussions
Lot 1: Raven Standalone Son
- Show Ring Proven: Reserve Grand Champion PGS Bull at National Western Stock Show, excelling in both look and genetic profile (03:05).
- Unique Opportunity: Among the first Raven Standalone progeny; strong maternal lineage assures outstanding replacement heifers.
- Quote:
"Not only is the owner of Lot One going to have cattle that are going to grade well and perform well...but, boy, they’re going to have a set of heifers to retain out of that bull that'll just knock your socks off." – Brittany (04:36)
Lot 6: J Trademark Sire Group
- New Bloodline: First calves out of Nebraska-purchased J Trademark bull; focus on pairing with first-calf heifers (05:14).
- High Altitude Adaptation: Highlight on low PAP (pulmonary arterial pressure) scores for performance at elevation—vital for western and mountain ranchers (06:00).
- Cow Family Roots: Repeated reference to the “Lori” cow family, a cornerstone in Lazy JB’s maternal lines (06:25).
Lot 11: Profile Sire Group
- Popular & Proven: Third set of calves from Sits Profile, purchased in Tennessee and widely used in herd (07:24).
- Maternal Strength: Lot 11 is a maternal brother to last year’s high seller.
- For Commercial & Show Ring: Profile sons known for stoutness, length, and consistently low PAP (08:00).
- Quote:
“Our commercial guys love, love, love the Profile sons.” – Brittany (08:48)
Lots 15 & 16: Significant Sire Group
- Rare Genetics: Bowerman Significant bull—now deceased—makes these sires harder to come by (09:01).
- Bold Phenotype: Lot 15 lauded for masculinity and standout presence; strong maternal representation in herd.
- Quote:
“If you're like me, I like my heifers to look like females and I like my bulls to dang sure look like bulls and be masculine about themselves." – Brittany (09:25)
Lot 17: Uncharted Sire Group
- First Offering: Uncharted, purchased in South Dakota, brings fresh genetics and phenotype (10:51).
- Balanced Attributes: Lot 17 blends low birth weight, high PAP, strong marbling; largest sire group in the sale.
- Customer Retention: Emphasis on annual genetic refreshment to keep customers’ options open without resorting to outside genetics (12:12).
Lots 27–31: Highway 2016 Sire Group
- Versatile Demand: Highway sons are multifunctional, topping sales for both show and commercial buyers (12:43).
- Heifer Safe: Lot 27 is a 14 CED, low birth weight candidate, shown successfully at Cheyenne Livestock Expo.
- Functional Focus: Bulls praised for structure, foot quality, and maternal performance (13:50).
- Quote:
“It excites me that our cattle are still big footed...I think that's something that a lot of people have maybe gotten in a rabbit hole and chased a single trait, and they forgot just the functionality of cattle.” – Brittany (14:24)
Lots 32 & 33: Commerce Sire Group
- Low PAP Emphasis: Channelle E Commerce used for low birth weight and PAP scores (15:43).
- Model Lazy JB Bull: Lot 33 described as fully embodying decades of the family’s breeding priorities—marbling, structure, maternal strength.
- Quote:
"If there was one in the sale, that when you think of Lazy JB and our history and what it takes to have a hundred years in the breed, you think of Lot 33." – Brittany (17:21)
Lots 34 & 35: North Star Sire Group
- First-Calf Dam Progeny: Both out of young cows, offering dimensionality, growth, and high marbling (18:13).
Remaining Bulls (Lots 36–42): Diverse Genetics
- Sires Represented: Armstrong, Signature, Cash Deposit, Big Country, Resource, MAGA (19:33–21:31).
- Type & Kind: Options for moderate frames, outcross pedigrees, high marbling, and PAP-tested suitability for all customers.
3. Heifer Offering (Lots 43–47)
- Elite & Handpicked: Only 5 females are included, all selected for standout phenotypes and maternal functionality (22:48).
- Phenotype & Performance: Lot 43 praised for refinement and maternal traits; Lot 44 more moderate and powerful.
- Customer Testimony:
“I cannot believe how maternal your cows are...they always know where their calves are, just how they hold their flesh and their feet and their legs. And...the udders on these things.” – Brittany sharing a hired hand’s feedback (24:00)
- PAP for All: Even for non-mountain environments, PAP scores are increasingly valuable for feedlot performance and health (24:45).
4. Final Thoughts and Invitation
- Open-Door Policy: Visitors are welcome at the Montrose ranch; easy access via a nearby airport with direct flights (25:10).
- Online Bidding: Sale will also be available on DV Auctions for remote buyers.
- Customer Appreciation:
“There’s no way that we could get to 100 years without being diligent in our selection...and for sure without our customers and those that believe in our program.” – Brittany (25:48)
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “We know that if our customers don't stay in business, neither do we.” – Brittany (02:39)
- “He just keeps getting better and better.” (On Lot 1 bull) – Brittany (03:48)
- “I argued for quite a while with my family about wanting to keep [Lot 15] as one of our own herd bulls.” – Brittany (09:13)
- Host’s candid enthusiasm:
“I’m pretty excited...I get to represent Lazy JB Angus.” – Weston Hendrix (00:01)
Important Timestamps
- 00:00 – Episode introduction, sale overview
- 00:45 – Brittany introduces Lazy JB, sale details
- 03:05 – Lot 1 discussion (Raven Standalone)
- 05:14 – Lot 6 & J Trademark sire group
- 07:24 – Lot 11 & Profile discussion
- 09:01 – Lots 15/16 with Significant genetics
- 10:51 – Lot 17 & Uncharted group
- 12:43 – Highway sire group (Lots 27-31)
- 15:43 – Commerce sire group (Lots 32/33)
- 18:13 – North Star lots
- 19:33–21:31 – Additional sire groups/bulls
- 22:48 – Heifer lots overview
- 25:10 – Final invitation, online bidding
- 25:48 – Closing gratitude
Tone & Takeaway
The conversation is warm, genuine, and passionate—rich with family legacy, practical breeding insights, and a welcoming attitude for all potential buyers. Whether listeners are show ring focused or ranchers seeking performance genetics, this episode leaves no doubt about the depth and diversity at Lazy JB Angus—and their commitment to customer success for the next century.