EmpowerU Podcast – Power of the Plains Sale Preview
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guests: Weston Bourne, Kendall Long, Ty Gillespie, Cade Luckett
Release Date: March 2, 2026
Episode Focus: In-depth preview and discussion of the 21st Annual Power of the Plains Sale (March 8, 2026), featuring top consignors talking through their cattle lots, breeding strategies, and the high-quality offering available through SC Online Sales.
Episode Overview
This episode brings together more guests than ever before on EmpowerU, gathering the principal consignors for the Power of the Plains Sale. Host Weston Hendrix and guests methodically preview each sale lot, delve into the history and legacy of the event, dissect breeding backgrounds, and offer candid insights into cattle quality and prospects. The conversation is rich with family stories and practical wisdom, aimed at empowering listeners—show families, livestock industry professionals, and competitors alike—to make informed choices at the sale.
“It’s extremely high quality, but what’s even better is the people that are behind all the cattle.”
— Weston Hendrix (00:00)
Key Themes and Segments
1. History and Purpose of the Sale
- (00:43-03:22)
Weston Bourne gives a heartfelt account of the sale’s 21-year evolution—from its Texas Tech roots to overcoming Covid-era challenges and relocating to a permanent home. He gives credit to past and present families for their roles in shaping the event and emphasizes its mission: opportunity, family, integrity, and showcasing quality cattle.
"We’re very thankful for ... having us in the sale back area in 2006, 2007..."
— Weston Bourne (00:43)
2. Consignor Introductions & Family Atmosphere
(03:22-07:42) Each key consignor introduces themselves and shares their background:
- Ty Gillespie (Adams Cattle Company) describes his family operation and gratitude for this network of respected cattlemen.
- Cade Luckett highlights the journey from vet school to establishing his breeding program, now bringing three calves to the sale.
- Kendall Long discusses breeding strategies and consigning his best every year, fulfilling a promise to keep the sale’s integrity high.
- Sale preview process: Each participant lists their lots and discusses standout genetics and goals for their offering.
“I was fortunate enough to get invited ... finally think we’ve got everything bred the right way.”
— Cade Luckett (04:37)
"We would just try to consign our best stuff every year to try to help the integrity of the sale."
— Kendall Long (06:06)
3. Deep Dive: Individual Lot Highlights
From [07:42] and throughout the episode
Each lot is discussed in order, offering extensive commentary on pedigree, phenotype, suitability for show divisions, intended endpoints (Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio), and unique features.
Notable Quotes and Discussion Highlights:
-
Lot 1 (Hereford, Drifting Right/Outer Limits) – Mr. Bourne
“Short back, big bodied one that I like a great deal ... hair quality is awesome ... he’s sound ... going to feed real, real good.”
— Weston Bourne (08:06) -
Lot 2 (American Steer, King of Kings/Cobbler) – Kendall “This one’s built for speed … feet and legs are impeccable, the way I like them … this one is very, very competitive as a slick sheared steer.”
— Kendall Long (11:50) -
Lot 3 (Matador/BH726) – Mr. Bourne
Focus on keeping the bull intact due to pedigree value and flexibility for buyer as bull or steer; plans for genetic marketing if retained as a bull.
"Pedigree reads as good as any. The Matador bull... champions all over..."
— Weston Bourne (13:16) -
Lot 4 (Sugar Bear/210 Cow) – Adams Cattle Company Noted for “burly, dimensional” build and versatility for shorthorn classifying.
“He does hit us as a shorthorn… proud of this calf, and I love for people to come out and see him in person.”
— Ty Gillespie (17:30) -
Lot 5 (American Ranger/American Beast) – Cade Luckett Exceptional as a breeding bull or show steer:
"Probably the best, best American I’ve ever raised ... I think he could get along pretty good in the middle at Fort Worth."
— Cade Luckett (19:06)
Continues through all 32 lots, each described in similar detail with comments from consignors and reinforcement by the host.
4. Breeding Strategies & Attention to Genetic Detail
Repeatedly, consignors explain sire selections, cow families, and their impact on the offer’s strength, backed up with lineage narratives and competitive results from prior years.
-
Kendall Long on cow families:
“The 144 cow ... just what all of us aspire to try to leave the house every day and go look at… her front third ... my favorite things about her.”
(25:48) -
Ty Gillespie on condition and skeleton:
“Just his pieces and the way that his skeleton’s put together reads awesome … look is definitely in this calf’s pedigree.”
(33:14)
5. Sale Experience & Community Spirit
-
Host and guests emphasize the family-first, helpful approach of the sale.
"It's a family atmosphere, and that's what we strive to do... I hope everybody comes out and enjoys the weekend."
— Weston Bourne (57:24) -
All speakers encourage new buyers and families, sharing openness to visit about lots.
“If you have any questions about any of our lots ... feel free to reach out ... Love to visit with you and see you in Idalou on the weekend.”
— Ty Gillespie (58:49)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – Introduction and Sale Overview
- 00:43-03:22 – Sale History (Bourne)
- 03:22-07:42 – Introductions (Gillespie, Luckett, Long)
- 07:42-56:55 – Lot-by-Lot Sale Preview
- Selected highlights:
- Lot 1 – 08:06
- Lot 2 – 11:50
- Lot 5 – 19:06
- Lot 9 – 25:48
- Lot 13 – 33:14
- Lot 19 – 40:26
- Lot 29 – 52:18
- Selected highlights:
- 56:55-59:14 – Closing Thoughts and Sale Details
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
On sale quality:
"In my mind, personally, it’s probably the best set as a set ... that we’ve put together..."
— Weston Bourne (57:24) -
On the nature of the cattle industry:
“Love for people to come out and see him in person ... it’s just been a really, really good deal, and I’m glad, Weston, that you reached out to us.”
— Weston Bourne (57:24)
Conclusion & Next Steps
- The episode delivers not only a technical breakdown of show and seedstock prospects, but also reveals the camaraderie, generational legacy, and commitment underpinning the Power of the Plains Sale.
- Sale Date: March 8, 2026 (SC Online Sales).
- Consignors welcome direct questions and encourage visitors to attend and experience the family atmosphere.
If you’re considering a purchase or simply want to learn what quality, integrity, and passion look like in the livestock industry, this is a must-listen episode—offering both practical knowledge and a window into the people behind some of Texas’s best show cattle.