EmpowerU Podcast: Priest Genetics Elite Steer & Heifer Sale Preview

Hosts: Weston Hendrix & Luke Domingue
Guest: Laramie Priest, Priest Genetics
Date: February 9, 2026
Episode Focus: A comprehensive preview of the February 16th Priest Genetics Elite Steer and Heifer Sale (on Steer Bidder), with Laramie Priest walking listeners through his deep and diverse slate of sale cattle—sharing insights into bloodlines, end-point recommendations, and standout prospects for every lot.

Episode Overview

This episode immerses listeners in the world of show cattle with a detailed, lot-by-lot breakdown of the upcoming Priest Genetics sale. Laramie Priest, one of the most respected and successful cattlemen in Texas, shares expertise honed from years of raising and selling champion-caliber steers and heifers. The discussion is specifically geared for cattle exhibitors, families, and enthusiasts navigating the competitive landscape of stock shows—empowering them to make informed, confident sale decisions.

Main Themes and Structure

• Introduction of Laramie Priest and Priest Genetics' operation and ethos
• In-depth, lot-by-lot preview of 35 steers and 4 heifers up for sale
• Candid assessments of cattle, their show potential, ideal endpoints, and practical feeding or showing advice
• Specific remarks about genetics, structure, temperament, and suitability for different levels of showmen
• Emphasis on customer empowerment, family fit, and transparent communication

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

Introduction to Priest Genetics and Sale Overview

• [00:00–01:12] Weston introduces Laramie Priest, noting his recent show ring successes (5 head in the Grand Drive at Fort Worth), and sets up the preview of the February 16th sale on Steer Bidder.
• Laramie Priest shares:
  – His family background, history in raising/rearing show cattle in Canyon, TX
  – Overview of sale: offering both home-raised and hand-selected calves, covering a wide cross-section of types/kinds and endpoints (from major shows to county fair prospects)

Lot-by-Lot Steer Highlights

Lots 1–5: Diverse Genetics & Endpoints

• Lot 1 In God We Trust x Monopoly ([01:12])
  – Described as an ideal Charolais steer for San Antonio/San Angelo or Fort Worth: “No chest, legs are perfect. Body drags the ground. He's good in terms of his width…a calf that like I said, I think for San Angelo, San Antonio, somewhere in that endpoint…will be awfully fun.” (Laramie Priest, 01:31)
• Lot 2 Standout x In God We Trust Cow 400 ([02:22])
  – Praised as “extremely dual purpose”—dense hair, great body shape, square built—suited for both slick shear shows and haired shows at Texas majors.
• Lot 3 In God We Trust x Here I Am ([03:18])
  – “Absolutely elite and athletic on his legs…this is the kind of calf that I like to have around. They're easy feeding, easy to maintain.” (Laramie Priest, 03:38)
• Lot 4 How Great Thou Art x Gone Viral ([04:35])
  – Described as a “freak on a leash—huge bones, huge feet, good structured, high neck…calf that will have hair to the ground.”
• Lot 5 That's Right x Goretzka Six ([05:33])
  – Praised for his “unbelievable hair” and structural correctness. “Absolute safe, fault free. Calf that will be higher up in a class and lower just because he doesn't have any obvious holes.”

Lots 6–15: Elite Partnerships and “Can't-Miss” Slick, Haired, and Dual Purpose Steers

• Golden Ticket Sired Steers (Lots 6,7,10)
  – Lot 6: “If my boy was showing, this calf would be really, really hard for me to let go.” (Laramie, 06:59)
  – Lot 7: Targeted as an ideal slick shear steer, robust and athletic
  – Lot 10: “Got lots of stars in my book…another one that if Shepherd was showing, I would keep around.”
• Lot 8 Trust and Obey x Campbell/Floyd Donor ([09:04])
  – “Absolute rock solid for a younger showman. Very gentle, alter broke to the max.”
• Lot 9 Man Amongst Boys x Golden Ticket Dam ([09:51])
  – “Really good structured, good bodied, rock solid calf, no glaring holes…feed out and gets better with time.”
• Lot 12–14: Red, slicking types; dual-purpose Simmentals and Charolais; safe, practical options for all levels

Notable Quotes on Standout Cattle (Steers)

• “This is the kind of calf that I like to have around. They're easy feeding, they're easy to maintain.” (Laramie, on Lot 3, 03:38)
• “You get that extra bone, you get that extra maturity. Right now, in the industry, weight really is irrelevant—they're just trying to pick the best cattle.” (Laramie, on Mayborns/Lot 7, 08:00)
• “If Shepherd was showing, this calf would be in my boy’s pen for a while.” (Laramie on Lot 6, 06:59)
• “He’s one of the more unique animals I’ve had on my place…huge soft feet and ankles, huge bone, huge haired calf.” (Lot 18, 17:56)

Lots 16–35: Color, Structure, and Pedigree Power

• Lot 16 Water to Wine x McKay Co-donor
  – “Power’s in the blood here…I think we can run this calf as a shorthorn at Fort Worth, be highly competitive.”
• Lot 17 In God We Trust x Gretzka6
  – “Most complete calf in the sale. Par for par…absolutely love him.”
• Lot 24 ([23:20])
  – Full sib to the Denver Grand Champion, “the absolute most asked about calf.”
  – “He is the absolute hairiest animal I’ve ever had in my place. It is to the ground.”
• Lots 33–35:
  – Emphasis on “Nora cattle setting the world on fire”—heavily muscled, big-footed, proven winning genetics.

Heifer Section: Lots 36–39

Strategic Female Offerings—Powerhouse Donor Prospects

• Lot 36 Red Elephant x Dam (Maternal sib to elite steers) ([36:07])
  – “This one here, it’s hard to let her go because this is one that I usually would probably only sell half interest of when she’s a big heavy bred. The female is as good of an animal that’s in the entire sale.” (Laramie, 36:27)
  – Prospect for both show ring and future donor pen, potentially clean genetics for further outcrossing
• Lot 37 Solid Red, full sib to high-achieving steers and “Ready For War” bull
  – “Had to do a lot of arm-pulling to let Raleigh let me sell her...mimics and replicates Luke James’s calf in terms of structure, bone, presence, hair, body.”
• Lot 38 Gray/white paint, Here I Am x same dam as Lot 37
  – “More on the edge in terms of muscle, neck set, roundness of body and bone.”
• Lot 39 Shorthorn, Perfection x Brian Martin/host's cow
  – Ultra-maternal, clean, ideal for raising both club calves and shorthorns.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Laramie on Sale Depth:
  “This is our sixth annual February sale after Fort Worth. I think it's the absolute deepest group of cattle that we've sold to date…without a doubt the deepest and best set of cattle I've put together.” (41:26)
• Encouragement to View In Person:
  “We know we live in the absolute middle of nowhere…but I think the set of cattle we put together are worth viewing in person.” (17:56, 23:20, 41:26)
• On Family Fit:
  “He is absolute rock solid for a younger showman. Very gentle, alter broke to the max.” (Lot 8, 09:22)
• On Winning Genetics:
  “Nora cattle are setting the world on fire. Not only do they sell good, but they have been feeding, they have been winning shows consistently.” (Lot 33, 33:05)
• On Sale Philosophy:
  “We're not real good at promoting the stuff that comes out of our place as much as we need to be, but…I think that this set is without a doubt the deepest and best set of cattle I've put together.” (41:26)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Introduction & Sale Overview: 00:00–01:12
• Lot 1–5 Steer Breakdown: 01:12–06:50
• Elite “Golden Ticket” and Dual-Purpose Steers (6–15): 06:50–15:21
• Outstanding Individuals & Genetic Legends (16–35): 15:21–36:07
• Heifer Section (36–39): 36:07–41:00
• Wrap Up, Sale Logistics & Contact: 41:00–42:37

Tone and Advice

Laramie brings candor and humility, blending technical acumen with practical advice for both seasoned stock show veterans and first-year showman families. He stresses evaluating individual cattle for structure, temperament, and hair quality—and fits recommendations to all skill levels.

“I think the cattle are worth seeing in person. I would really like people to come view the cattle…You will not be disappointed.” (Laramie, 23:20)

Summary for Prospective Buyers & Listeners

This episode is essential listening for anyone considering a purchase from the Priest Genetics sale or seeking a deeper understanding of competitive steer and heifer traits. The clear, honest evaluations and practical endpoint advice allow families and exhibitors to make informed, empowered selections. The sale offers animals suited to every major Texas show and many state fairs nationwide—each with the kind of performance pedigree and structural soundness that has become the Priest Genetics calling card.

Contact/Logistics:
Sale on February 16th via Steer Bidder. Laramie encourages reaching out directly for questions or to schedule a visit.

Closing Thought

“We just really are fortunate and blessed that y’all clicked onto this podcast to listen and viewed our sale online. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out. We're here to help out as much as we possibly can. God bless and thank you all for tuning in.”
(Laramie Priest, 42:20)

Listen to this episode for the most candid, comprehensive insight into one of Texas’ premier cattle sales, and find your next champion.