EmpowerU Podcast: MK Cattle Steer & Heifer Sale Preview
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guest: Jonathan (MK Cattle Company)
Date: March 2, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of EmpowerU features an in-depth preview of the second annual MK Cattle Company Steer & Heifer Sale, scheduled for March 8th on SEO. Host Weston Hendrix is joined by Jonathan of MK Cattle Company to discuss the objectives behind this year’s sale, spotlight each lot, and share insights into what makes each animal unique. The conversation is rich with candid evaluations, sale strategies, and practical advice for buyers, making it an essential listen (or read) for anyone involved in junior livestock showing or cattle production.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Purpose and Improvement for 2026 Sale
- Jonathan explains that their main goal was to "offer more head and higher quality than we did last year" ([00:22]).
- This year brings a "very deep sale with lots of cattle of various sizes, end points, breeds. I feel like something for everyone" ([00:22]).
2. Detailed Lot-by-Lot Preview
Each lot is discussed in detail, focusing on genetics, ideal show end-points, and unique animal features.
Lot 1: Here I Am x Perfection 6
- Highlight: "Springboard black cross... doesn't get any better in terms of length and neck proportionality while also being extremely good footed" (Weston, [00:48]).
- Jonathan’s Take: "This calf probably didn't perform to his best on picture day... he is extremely hairy all the way to the ground" ([01:13]).
- Best Fit: Denver or Fort Worth, but lightweight fall shows are also suitable.
Lot 2: Hallelujah x 0101 (BDR x Mr. Horns 496)
- Breed: Sharp/Char AOC, July-born.
- Jonathan: "These hallelujahs... get better age. The full brother has definitely shown that they're going to get stouter, thicker" ([02:18]).
- Best Fit: Slick steer for lightweight shearing ([02:18]).
Lot 3: King Cobra x Sim Angus Cow
- Attributes: Pulled, can run as Angus, "impeccable presence and feature from the side" (Weston, [02:42]).
- Jonathan says: "He was ate up with ringworm... the hair’s starting to come, the skin’s healthy. This one might be the most impressive in the wash rack" ([03:04]).
- Best Fit: Can go either slick or hairy at Houston or Fort Worth.
Lot 4: Red, White & Roan x Yellow Jacket Cow
- Attributes: Mayborn, lightweight, shorthorn, "extremely balanced... hind leg is second to none" (Weston, [03:48]).
- Jonathan: "I would not be afraid to put him on any smaller kid or first year kid" ([04:05]).
- Best Fit: Lightweight at Fort Worth.
Lot 5: One Oak x Unstoppable
- Attributes: Guns-a-blazing Angus, big hip and back, very burly ([04:36]).
- Jonathan: "Could be just as good as lot one in terms of crossbred black... the fact he can be an Angus puts him in a whole nother league" ([04:59]).
Lot 6: How Great Thou Art x Witch Doctor/Angus Lemmy
- Attributes: Mayborn, pulled, possible Red Angus.
- Jonathan: "Very stout and bold through his back and hip... this thing could really be wicked in the Red Angus, but I think he brands all day in the Red Cross as well" ([05:56]).
Lot 7: BDR Red Rocky Made Right x Dirty Airy
- Attributes: Pulled black steer, could run Angus.
- Jonathan: "I really believe in this calf and think someone's going to be very happy to own them when it comes to the end" ([06:47]).
Lot 8: All Business x Zookeeper Female (Only Heifer)
- Attributes: Young, impeccable hair/feet/legs, generation potential.
- Jonathan: "She pound for pound might be the highest quality animal we're offering... she is pH. I've already tested her" ([08:03]).
- Quote: "If you can have a female like this with a neck carriage and look, you got a lot of options for trying to make steers later on" ([08:03]).
Lot 9: How Great Thou Art x Holy Smoker/Ice Candy/Picasso
- Attributes: Bold rib, big hip steer, extremely functional.
- Jonathan: "Widest range of where you can go is anything in the sale... reads as a slick steer that can do a lot" ([09:08]).
Lot 10: Get You Some x 1014 Donor
- Attributes: Red Cross Simmy or Main, strong video presence.
- Jonathan: "He's very green, probably the greenest one in the sale... when they're built like this, I think you can throw the kitchen sink at them" ([10:10]).
Lot 11: Baldy - Yellow Jacket Black Cross or Simmy
- Attributes: Long necked, bold rib, wide pinned.
- Jonathan: "He could go to a fall county show or state fair or he could roll all the way into some of those county fairs or spring majors" ([11:07]).
Lot 12: Perfection x Asset Tailor Made
- Attributes: Mayborn, strong Fort Worth prospect.
- Jonathan: "It's hard to find a shorthorn with structure and a hind leg like this one... we talked about putting this one in my kids barn several times" ([11:50]).
Lot 13: Good Type, Solid Feeding Steer
- Attributes: Doesn't have all the extras but reliable and low-problem.
- Weston: "Hard to put a hole in them... just not going to really give you any problems ever" ([12:45]).
Lot 14: Red River x Mary Lynn (Polled Hereford, Still Intact)
- Attributes: Buyer can choose to keep intact or not.
- Jonathan: "My daughter’s first Hereford show heifer... she has never missed... half sib just won the lightweight old Hereford class at San Antonio" ([13:03]).
Lot 15: Water to Wine x God We Trust Female (Char AOC)
- Attributes: Slick and shearing type, vision-impaired but manageable.
- Jonathan: "All you got to do is put a halter on him and he trusts you and he'll follow you anywhere" ([14:37]).
Lot 16: Gotcha x BDR Solid Gold Proud Jazz Female ("Fire in the Hole" mother)
- Attributes: Dense, burly, balanced, "one of my favorites of the sale" (Weston, [15:32]).
- Jonathan: "Makes as good dual purpose steers we've got in the sale... he does have the big, big back leg that award was talking about" ([16:04]).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Sale Objective and Family Involvement:
- "Honestly, the girls probably been doing more work at it than I have with all my other obligations." (Jonathan, [00:22])
-
On Lot 1’s Unique Quality:
- “He is extremely hairy all the way to the ground. I mean he's got the biggest furriest hairs, ears you've seen.” (Jonathan, [01:13])
-
On Choosing to Sell A Top Heifer:
- “If we were going to offer one, I wanted to offer one that was definitely worth someone else owning.” (Jonathan on Lot 8, [08:03])
-
Realism About Animal Development:
- “This calf probably didn't perform to his best on picture day... sometimes when your best one doesn't do what you think.” (Jonathan, [01:13])
- “I probably let this one get a little skinny because he is older and I didn't want to feed him too hard and get him too big. And then I looked up picture day and I was like, shoot...” (Jonathan on Lot 7, [06:47])
-
Encouragement for Buyers:
- “I would not be afraid to put him on any smaller kid or first year kid that needs some experience.” (Jonathan on Lot 4, [04:05])
- “He is slightly vision impaired… but all you got to do is put a halter on him and he trusts you and he'll. He'll follow you anywhere.” (Jonathan on Lot 15, [14:37])
Important Timestamps
- Sale Objective and Approach: [00:22–00:48]
- Lot-by-Lot Breakdown: [00:48–16:37]
- Lot 1: [00:48–01:54]
- Lot 2: [01:54–02:42]
- Lot 3: [02:42–03:48]
- Lot 4: [03:48–04:36]
- Lot 5: [04:36–05:36]
- Lot 6: [05:36–06:22]
- Lot 7: [06:22–07:36]
- Lot 8: [07:36–08:51]
- Lot 9: [08:51–09:45]
- Lot 10: [09:45–10:44]
- Lot 11: [10:44–11:31]
- Lot 12: [11:31–11:50]
- Lot 13: [11:50–12:45]
- Lot 14: [12:45–14:16]
- Lot 15: [14:16–15:32]
- Lot 16: [15:32–16:37]
- Final Thoughts & Open Invitation: [16:37–17:29]
Closing & Invitation
- Jonathan: Extends an open invitation to view cattle in person, with hospitality on sale weekend.
- “We are located off Highway 180, about halfway between Horn and Bullnanza there in Roby... Sunday, we do plan on having some food and some lunch available. I know. Hopefully a lot of people traveling back from the sales in Lubbock can stop in and we'll have. We'll have food and drinks available.” ([16:42])
Summary Takeaways
- MK Cattle Company’s 2026 sale offers an even wider and higher-quality field for buyers, really emphasizing honest discussion of each animal’s strengths, quirks, and best fit for different shows.
- Jonathan provides transparent, real-world advice and welcomes people to see the cattle in person, shaping a buyer-focused and collaborative sale atmosphere.
- Lots are diverse, with crossbred, breed-specific, steers and one exceptional heifer, aiming to serve everyone from novice showmen to seasoned competitors.
For more information and videos of the lots:
- Visit the MK Cattle Company page on SEO for sale details and additional visuals.
- The sale is on March 8th; appointments and visits before are encouraged to evaluate in person.