Episode Overview
Podcast: EmpowerU
Hosts: Weston Hendrix, Luke Domingue
Guest: P.D. Miller, Ranch Manager of M Lazy Heart Ranch
Episode Title: M Lazy Heart Ranch Bred Female & Genetic Sale Preview
Date: December 22, 2025
Theme:
A deep-dive preview of the M Lazy Heart Ranch's annual bred female and genetic sale. Weston and P.D. discuss the operation’s history, their philosophy on genetic development, and walk through each sale lot, highlighting bloodlines, mating choices, and the thinking behind each offering. The episode empowers listeners with insights into selecting and utilizing genetics to build better cattle herds, whether for club calf prospects or breeding stock.
Introduction: Ranch History & Philosophy (00:00–01:32)
- P.D. Miller introduces himself as ranch manager and oldest son of the M Lazy Heart Ranch owners.
- Overview of the ranch:
- Based in Torrington, Wyoming.
- Runs about 350 club calf and seed stock cows.
- Over 20 years in show cattle production.
- 2024 saw sales in 26 states and even Canada.
- Current ambitions: Diversifying further into the heifer game alongside steers to broaden their customer base.
Quote:
"Mom and dad have been at it for hair over 20 years trying to raise show cattle and honestly make them better." — P.D. Miller (01:01)
Lot-by-Lot Sale Preview
Lot 1: Maternal Maid Kelly Cow (01:40–03:08)
- Spring 2019 maternal maid Kelly; six and a half percent Key
- Her dam is a full sister to high-caliber show steer mothers.
- Purchased from Trey Hurst herd.
- P.D. has 530 frozen embryos, so looking for a partner:
"Honestly, I'd like someone that has some different mating ideas as well. You know, maybe we come up with the next new thing." — P.D. Miller (02:59)
Lot 2: Get You Some Classy (03:08–04:28)
- Hairy Bear over Heat Wave, open female, ~7% Key
- High embryo producer, previously exhibited by P.D.'s sister.
- P.D. open to selling half interest due to surplus of embryos.
- Excels both in phenotype and versatility.
Lot 3: Ginger Versace (04:41–05:13)
- Fall 2023; full possession offered (2 flushes retained).
- Triple clean, red female. Dam is proven Versace cow.
- Mated to "Dual Intrigue" for easy-calving yet high potential calves.
Lot 4: Justified Over Brass Monkey (06:04)
- Fall 2023, bred heifer, AI'd to Dual Intrigue.
- Tied to exceptional show pedigree; dam traced to Deadliest Catch and top show females.
Lot 5: Gravy Train Get You Some Alley (07:00–08:48)
- Spring 2024, triple clean, striking black/white color; dam was 4th overall at Denver 2020.
- AI’d to MC Bankroll, known for easy-calving and boxy, hairy calves.
- "She's one high necked, good looking one...it's awesome." — P.D. Miller (07:19)
Lot 6: Break the Bank Icon Unleashed (09:00)
- Spring 2024, high main, triple clean bred to Bankroll.
- Great rib, flexibility, and maternal potential.
Lot 7: Spread the Word Quality Counts Monopoly (10:20–11:43)
- Key-bred female, TH and PHA clean.
- Positive track record: maternal relatives have excelled in both show and production.
Lot 8: Tricked Out Loaded Up Grizzly (11:43–12:53)
- Spring 2024, retaining two flushes.
- P.D. loves the mother; sees huge potential mated to bulls like Red Elephant.
Lot 9: Psalms Monopoly Alias (12:53–13:55)
- Spring 2024, bred to Bankroll, TH carrier.
- Sired by a unique "Psalms" bull, with strong phenotype despite not being the stoutest.
Lot 10: Burning Man Fu Manchu Heat Wave (13:55–15:07)
- Red female, clean despite stacked club calf genetics.
- Great for making southern shorthorns or improving color and muscle in calves.
Lot 11: Here I Am Fu Manchu Unstoppable (15:07–16:16)
- Spring 2024, bred to Intrigue; TH and PHA falls.
- Noted for stoutness and Here I Am in pedigree; very sought after.
Lot 12: Allegedly White Queso Torrington (16:19–17:44)
- Spring 2024, bred to Bankroll.
- "Would love to keep her around as a cow...want someone to take that one and honestly make my bulls look better." — P.D. Miller (16:47)
- Offers unique color and versatility for American steer programs.
Lot 13: Worth The Weight Icon Duelo 3099 (17:44–18:55)
- Spring 2024, bred to Intrigue.
- Great for making versatile, profitable calves — can go maternal or clubby.
Lot 14: Something Else Monopoly Hoodoo (18:55–20:23)
- Spring 2024, AI'd to May We All; quarter main.
- Strong on longevity, structure, and athleticism; natural calf out of 13-year-old cow.
Lot 15: Gravy Train Here I Am Monopoly (20:23–21:16)
- Spring 2024, TH Carrier, bred to Intrigue.
- Attractive, high-growth, flexible for color-focused matings.
Lot 16: Allegedly Torrington L18 (21:16–22:56)
- Explains "Torrington" as a calving ease bull and L18 as Hereford, offering solid cow traits and unique color-creation possibilities.
- Red, TH carrier; maternal and color versatility.
Lot 17: Tricked Out Loaded Up Grizzly (full sister to Lot 8) (22:56–23:53)
- Full mates to PD's high-selling 2024 fall steer (Reserve Grand, Utah State Fair).
- Clean test results increase mating flexibility.
Lot 18: In God Harry Bear Heat Wave (23:53–24:52)
- One of the podcast faves; striking look and structure.
- "I think that one's future as a donor cow is sooner rather than later just because she's got so many out there outstanding pieces." — P.D. Miller (24:31)
- Full sister to Patton's 2020 FW Reserve Exotic Steer.
Lot 19: Pandemic 753 Kelly Clone (24:52–26:31)
- Half Simmi/Key, TH/PHA false.
- Very versatile: suitable for Semmi, Key, or Main pairings.
Genetics, Embryo & IVF Offerings (26:32–40:59)
Lots 20–37 — Embryos, IVF cycles, matings covering:
- Matilda, 752/3/4 Kellys, Versace, Gucci cows, and more.
- High leverage matings: Apex, Red Elephant, King of Kings, Cockadoodle Doo, Here I Am, Ain’t Bluffin’, No Hard Feelings, etc.
- Examples:
- Lot 21: Apex over 752, aiming for phenotype-packed show heifers.
- Lot 24: Maternal Maid x 751 produces full sibs to high-selling cows and show prospects, e.g., $245K heifer from 2024 (30:05–31:00).
- Lot 34: Full sibs to "waffles," only steer to win both Ohio Beef Expo and Ohio State Fair (38:13–38:53).
- Lot 35: Full sibs to Yellow Elephant, proven to deliver "class in Herefords" and other colored calves (38:59–39:24).
- Buyer Caution: Certain matings are "TH on TH"; genetic awareness is recommended (37:52).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Diversifying beyond steers:
"We're a little probably heavier in this tiered game, but we're trying to diversify a little and get into the heifer game as well." —P.D. Miller (01:32) -
Embryo inventory shapes offering:
"I've got 530 frozen embryos in the tank, and we average putting in about 110 embryos a year. So just what I have in the tank right now lasts me at least four years." —P.D. Miller (03:00) -
On phenotype priorities:
"If you're someone looking maybe for even like a show heifer, they would be maternal sibs to a $245,000 heifer that sold last December in Stillwater." —P.D. Miller (30:53) -
On breed versatility:
"That one's so versatile. You can make keys, you can make semis. You can do her to a main bull and make main females to sell." —P.D. Miller (26:10)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Introduction & Ranch Overview: 00:00–01:32
- Lots 1–6 (Feature females & foundation genetics): 01:40–09:30
- Lots 7–14 (Versatile, colored, and club calf prospects): 10:20–20:23
- Lots 15–19 (Show prospects, red genetics, outcrosses): 20:23–26:31
- Embryos/IVF cycles (“Swinging for the fences” genetics): 26:32–40:59
- Closing thoughts & sale details: 40:59–end
Tone & Style
Throughout, both hosts and P.D. are energetic, conversational, and informative. They blend technical detail with humor and personal anecdotes, keeping the episode accessible but packed with value for experienced cattlemen and those eager to learn.
Conclusion & Sale Details (40:59–42:22)
- Sale Date: December 27, 2025 on SC Online Sales.
- Link to preview and sale to be posted.
- P.D. Miller encourages listeners to reach out with questions, emphasizing openness and transparency:
"If you have any questions, you can always reach out to Paul. He's willing to answer any and all." — Weston Hendrix (41:54)
Summary
This episode is an indispensable guide for anyone considering genetics from M Lazy Heart Ranch, providing both the “why” and “how” behind each lot, candidly discussing performance, temperament, and production strategies—all designed to empower listeners to select cattle that will benefit their programs for years to come.
