EmpowerU Podcast: Mitzner Show Cattle Genetics Sale Preview Host: Weston Hendrix | Guest: Jay Mitzner (Jay Mitzner Show Cattle) Episode Air Date: February 25, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Weston Hendrix welcomes Jay Mitzner of Jay Mitzner Show Cattle (Northwest Indiana) to preview their upcoming genetics sale, happening March 1st via SC Online Sales. The conversation covers the story and genetics behind each featured lot—embryos, flushes, and semen—emphasizing proven cow families, breed types, progeny value, and the honest, practical breeding approach at Mitzner’s. With both technical insights and anecdotes, Jay details why customers new and old should be excited about these genetics and what differentiates his breeding program.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to Mitzner Show Cattle & Philosophy

• Jay Mitzner introduces his operation: 125 cows, mainly Simmental and club calf influences, with increasing Shorthorn influence in recent years (00:26).
• The reason for the sale: high flushing and conception rates, strong progeny sales ("the numbers have been incredible… that's why we're opening up the tanks to this sale" [00:42]).

Featured Lots (Embryos & Flushes)

Lot A: Raz Flush Offering

• Raz: Described as the most consistent Simmental cow on the farm. Creator of successful bull "Alter Ego."
• Raz’s calves average $7,000 "off the cow", with daughters excelling in production despite Jay keeping very few due to their saleability (01:42).
• Successful matings: Tecumseh, Next Level, How Great Thou Art, Good Times, and flexible enough for Simmental, Angus, or club calf bulls.
  • "Her calves off the cow have averaged 7,000. They look good early, they mature real good…. I can honestly say I have two [daughters]." (01:46 - 02:15)
• Flush specifics: guaranteed six eggs, split over eight, average of 18 embryos per IVF flush (02:38).

Lot 1: Raz Embryos (Tecumseh or Good Times)

• Tecumseh calves: "They’ve all been stout, they've all been good-haired.... good bodied, good structured" (04:16).
• High conception rates: 70–75% on embryos, with priority on offering only what works for others, not just cleaning out tanks (04:57).

Lot 2: Red (Unstoppable x I-80) Embryos

• Red’s track record: $7,500 average on calves, including major winners (Reserve Grand at Mississippi State Fair).
• High IVF results: "flushed her twice in November and she froze 48 embryos…and only three grade twos" (05:30).
• "Good as it Gets" matings are reliable, producing standout calves in both color and type (06:05 - 07:00).

Lot 3: Red x Pure Reflection Embryos

• Pure Reflection calves: High demand and quick sales ("the first time I ever posted a picture of him, he kind of blew up my phone" [08:15]).
• Both heifer and bull calves perform equally well; calves expected to be attractive Shorthorn-marked show prospects (09:00).

Lot 4: C49 (Full Sister to Raz) Embryos

• Progeny include a $27,000 Good Times heifer sold at Hartman’s annual sale.
• Consistency in type: "Stout, burley for that SimAngus breed. Long neck, good looking." (10:39)
• First C49 x Tecumseh mating is due soon. C49 is a proven donor in both structure and marketability (10:49).

Lot 5: Hottie (Maternal Sister to Raz & C49) Embryos

• Cow purchased at age 15, still froze embryos up to age 16 ("She froze embryos till the day that she died" [11:37]).
• Noted for longevity, maternal value, and production; "this very well could be the last time I offer eggs out of this cow" (13:39).
• Hottie’s daughters have won at major shows and are working for multiple reputable breeders (12:50).

Lot 6: Bridget (Angus) Embryos

• A rare Angus offering: Bridges from the Seldom Rest Bardot cow family, known for million-dollar progeny (14:05).
• Flushed to Style, producing promising heifers: "Length of neck, good haired for an Angus, stout..." (14:50).

Lot 7: Misty (Club Calf Foundation) Embryos

• Started Mitzner’s club calf program. Multiple successful sires (including In God We Trust).
• Offering five embryos because "I thought I'd just offer all five of them instead of dropping one on the ground because I've been known to do that from time to time" (16:55).
• Daughters now working at other top breeding farms; cow is aging, so this is likely a final opportunity for eggs (17:35).

Lot 8: Stella (Clubby Female, Troubador/Sheriff Taylor/Heat Wave Lines)

• Sought-after structure and movement; first heifer Jay's sister ever purchased (sentimental value, 19:37).
• "Structure is not an issue…She can get out and move without a problem." (19:37)
• Both starburst and BDR matings available; ideal for southern club calf producers (20:10).

Semen Lots

Lots 9–12: Alter Ego (New 5/8 Simmental Sire)

• Out of Raz, by How Great Thou Art; "Just selected champion Div. 2 percentage simi bull in Fort Worth."
• Noted for structure, foot size, muscle, and hair quality: "He's big footed, big boned. All his feet point in the right direction." (23:30)
• Jay’s philosophy: "If you don't believe in your own breeding program, who do you expect to believe in your breeding program?" (22:40).

Lots 13–14: Burn Notice (Full brother to Raz, C49, Hottie)

• Lived and bred until 13.5 years old; consistent producer ("bred cows till the day that he died" [24:26]).
• Daughters excel at longevity and production, ideal for adding power and the “perfect baldy face” (25:10).
• “He was just a big pasture pet… the first one I checked every day” (24:35).

Lots 15–40: Selected Semen Offerings

• Focus on rare, high-demand, or legacy sires across breeds:
  • Simmental: Bet on Red, Sam, Copacetic, Remedy, Profit, Quantum Leap, Alpha, Classic, Bankroll, Only 1, Hammer (26:29)
  • Maine: Endgame, Maternal Made, Maternal Maid (27:36)
  • Shorthorn: Perfection, Class on Class, Clean & Classy
  • Club Calf: Dakota Gold, Holy Smoker, Water to Wine (noted for exceptional red club calves), Back to Good
  • Charolais and Angus: Firewater, Redemption, Outkast, Follow Me, No Limit, 24 Karat, McKinley
• "Didn’t want to just put run of the mill semen on there… I’ve got eight tanks and too much semen, too many embryos and not enough cows to put them in." (26:38)
• Several of these bulls are now deceased or rare in the open market, notably Bet on Red and Copacetic.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If you don't believe in your own breeding program, who do you expect, who else do you expect to believe in your breeding program?” – Jay Mitzner (22:40)
• “Her calves off the cow have averaged 7,000. They look good early, they mature real good. And honestly, daughters... have been very, very good.” – Jay on Raz’s consistency (01:46)
• “I bought her as a 15-year-old ... flushed her for a year and she honestly froze embryos till the day that she died.” – Jay on Hottie and the value of maternal longevity (11:37)
• “The cow business, it’s not for the faint of heart.” – Jay on losing promising young cattle to freak accidents (21:01)
• “When I was going through tanks ... I wanted to offer some stuff I kind of have an influx of ... I’m probably never going to use in my lifetime.” – On making rare semen available for this sale (26:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:26 – Introduction to Mitzner Show Cattle & sale overview
• 01:42–03:58 – Raz (Lot A & 1), her progeny, and flush details
• 05:30–07:42 – Red cow background, embryo details, and notable winning progeny
• 08:15–09:38 – Pure Reflection embryos & Shorthorn cross success
• 10:04–11:05 – C49 cow’s impact ($27,000 progeny)
• 11:37–13:48 – Hottie’s longevity and last offering of her genetics
• 14:05–15:42 – Bridget, the Angus cow, and rationale for Angus offerings
• 16:04–18:52 – Misty, foundational club calf donor, and significance of this lot
• 19:37–21:01 – Stella, unique club calf female with history and design
• 21:01–23:39 – Alter Ego: breeding value & Jay’s philosophy on using his own genetics
• 24:26–25:49 – Burn Notice, his history, and lasting impact
• 26:29–31:05 – Overview of special semen lots and rationale for highlighted sires
• 31:11–31:48 – Jay’s conclusion, contact info, and closing remarks

Tone, Language & Takeaways

Jay Mitzner brings a plainspoken, practical voice loaded with anecdotal honesty—a recurring theme is valuing consistency, longevity, and cattle that "work in production" and "sell well off the cow." The host, Weston Hendrix, keeps the conversation focused, informed, and personable. The episode is candid about the ups and downs of the cattle business but encourages listeners to take advantage of rare opportunities and to build herds on proven cow families, no matter the breed.

Conclusion and How to Buy

• The sale is online at SC Online Sales, March 1st.
• Buyers can call Jay (219-508-5132) for questions about lots or consultation; he's "mostly always got [his] phone on."
• This is a chance to acquire genetics that are seldom, if ever, available—get in now, especially on aging or deceased donors.

[Episode ends with gratitude and encouragement to "empower" customer decisions with trusted genetics.]