EmpowerU Podcast Summary

Episode: Reed Vestal Ranches Sale Preview
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guests: Reed Vestal and Junior Garcia (RVR Ranches)
Date: March 20, 2026

Overview

This episode of EmpowerU dives into the upcoming Reed Vestal Ranches (RVR Ranches) sale, set for March 29, available on Steer Bidder. Host Weston Hendrix is joined by ranch principals Reed Vestal and Junior Garcia for an in-depth, lot-by-lot preview of the cattle on offer. The conversation covers the genetics, qualities, ideal show destinations, and unique strengths of each calf—with a special focus on diversity of type and show potential across Americans, exotics, and breeds. The tone is candid, enthusiastic, and highly detailed, specifically for show cattle clients and enthusiasts.

Main Themes and Purpose

• Sale Highlight: Showcase RVR’s most “deep and diverse” set ever, culling hard to present only the best.
• Genetic Diversity: Representation of top exotics, Americans, breeds, and dual-purpose steers.
• Show Potential: Informed opinions on ideal endpoints for each calf—Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, OYE, etc.
• Ownership Pride: Vestal and Garcia’s commitment to standing behind each lot, reflecting their confidence in the offering.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Opening and Sale Philosophy

• RVR believes this is their best and deepest set, presenting more cattle than ever, all hard-culled for quality.
  • “We stand fully behind every single one of these calves, and we’ve culled extremely hard to get to this point.” (Reed, 00:48)
• Diversity is a big theme: "Fits all kinds of people's wants in regards to the requirements out there." (Reed, 00:58)
• Consistent emphasis placed on dual-purpose calves and show flexibility.

Lot-by-Lot Sale Preview

Exotics and Breed Steers (Lots 1-7)

Lot 1 – Black Cross Show Steer

• Key Qualities: Oldest calf, “as good of a calf as we’ve ever raised” for the black cross division; long, big-hipped, dual-purpose, “show pony” energy (02:52; 02:00).
• Show Potential: Denver, Fort Worth, or OYE—serious contenders at any (02:52).
• Quote: “He throws his head up and he's built to be a show steer.” (Reed, 02:52)

Lot 2 – Younger, Dual-Purpose Standout

• Born July 4, a memorable touch—highlighted for being both talented and younger (05:37). Often the favorite on phenotype alone.
• “If my kids were old enough to show, out of 120 calves we raised this year, this is one of a couple that we would have in our barn ourselves.” (Reed, 06:55)
• “He’s dual-purposed. I think he’s one that you got to see to appreciate…” (Junior, 07:51)

Lots 3 & 4 – L12 Donor Progeny

• L12, high-selling female, throws elite.
• Lot 3: “Here I Am” calf, better hair quality, robust and dual show potential (08:49-10:50).
• Lot 4: “How Great Thou Art” calf, wild-necked, reads awesome as a slick, easier doing (10:50-12:06).
• Quote: “It’s hard to get fired up on a black one, but when they got bells and whistles like this one, it’s pretty evident that this calf’s going to be successful.” (Junior, 12:06)

Lot 5 – Angus/Exotic Cross

• Full sib to proven champion line, “hairiest calf in the sale,” exceptional classification for Angus at Fort Worth but could run exotic (13:58-16:02).
• Quote: “He’s the kind of calf that gets in and really, really plays in that Angus deal...you get him in as an Angus at Fort Worth, you better watch out.” (Reed, 15:14)

Lot 6 – Slick Shearing Semi

• “How about now” over Dilly cow, strong South Dakota/Midswest genetics, best as a slick at San Antonio/Houston (16:54-19:57).
• Quote: “He’s got the wow factor and I don’t know, man. This calf’s going to be a lot of fun all year long.” (Junior, 19:57)
• Side note: Minor eye injury, fully transparent.

Lot 7 – Hereford

• “Game Changer” over Barber donor, horned, outlier in markings, stands out in Hereford ring, proven high quality (21:24-23:31).
• Quote: “We don’t raise a lot of Herefords, but this thing right here is damn good.” (Reed, 22:26)

Americans and Dual Purpose (Lots 8-19)

Lots 8-10 – Solid Gold & In the Beginning x 235-family

• Proven donor (235 cow), full sibs to winning show cattle.
• Lot 8: Wild necked, big bellied, ideal muscling, best for San Antonio/Houston as Simbra or Girt (24:13-26:20)
• Lot 9: Stout, ideal yellow color, slightly younger, huge banner potential (26:20-28:25).
• Lot 10: Th carrier, very young, “wild necked, perfect colored, excellent structure,” a “dark horse” (29:03-33:07)
• Quote on Lot 10: “Th kidd is special…he’s one that, if my kids were showing, he’d probably be in the lineup.” (Reed, 30:44)

Lots 11-13 – The Wolf over 999/7287

• Show-class American prospects, huge feet, big hair, major show ring presence.
• Lot 11: “Big, big footed and really, really hard muscles…not a first time showman calf,” needs experienced handler (34:24-35:39).
• Lot 12: “Wicked-neck, big, big, big feet, extremely stout…as good of an American as we’ve ever raised” (37:27-39:43)
  • “He’s a show pony. He’s bomb proof, gentle. This thing wants to be a show calf.” (Junior, 39:43)
• Lot 13: Similar to 12, needs a touch more TLC (40:57-42:00)

Lot 14 – In the Beginning x 198 (Return to Gold line)

• Standout neck and flank, darker smoke, only issue is a rat tail, but sellers eager to work with buyer on this (42:00-44:45).
• Quote: “You take away the rat tail and it’s like, bring it on. I’d put him against any of them.” (Junior, 43:59)

Lot 15 – Spectre x 817

• First Spectre calf sold, “huge footed,” “biggest ass American in this sale,” classified as middleweight Fort Worth or ABC (45:19-47:33).
• “This calf is the future of what we’re going to try to do here at RVR, which is going all in on Spectre.” (Reed, 46:36)

Lot 16 – The Wolf x 8111 (Here I Am/Irish Whiskey)

• Pulled, “monster hair,” ideal Fort Worth American, sellers plan to monitor closely with new owner (48:25-51:59).
• “This will be one of the hairiest Americans at Fort Worth next year, I’ll guarantee it.” (Reed, 49:03)

Lots 17 & 18 – The Wolf x 999 (baldy and polled, both Fort Worth contenders)

• Lot 17: Dense, big rib. “As safe of a choice to catch a brand at Fort Worth as any” (52:27-54:58).
• Lot 18: “As good of a Fort Worth calf as we’ve ever raised,” show pony, high expectations (55:31-57:12).

Lot 19 – How Great Thou Art x 7287; High-End Simbra

• Long necked, deep flanked, big hind leg, “hammer of a slick steer,” highly versatile; only survivor of two outstanding full sibs (58:47-64:01).
• Quote: “He is as bomb proof as you could possibly make one. A lot of different directions you can go with him. I double star this one, maybe even triple star.” (Reed, 61:37)
• “If this one can’t hang a banner, I don’t know…” (Junior, 62:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Commitment to Quality:
  “We stand fully behind every single one of these calves, and we've culled extremely hard to get to this point.”
  — Reed (00:48)

• On Dual Purpose Focus:
  “He’s dual-purposed. I think he’s one that you got to see to appreciate just to see how awesome this calf is.”
  — Junior (07:51)

• On Proven Matings:
  “It’s hard to say you can be confident in a bunch of them. But a tried and true mating, that’s foolproof. It’s kind of a no brainer.”
  — Junior (16:24)

• On Unique Lots:
  “This is another th on th situation. We didn’t know that his mama was dirty…luckily he came out just fine.”
  — Reed (42:44)

• On Showmanship Needs:
  “This is not a first time calf type of, first time showman type of person that needs this calf. So someone that’s got a little bit of experience is preferred on him.”
  — Reed (35:28)

• On Final Lot (Lot 19):
  “If this one can’t hang a banner, I don’t know…”
  — Junior (62:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Philosophy / Goals: 00:00–02:00
• Lot 1-2 Discussion: 02:00–07:12
• Lots 3-5 Discussion: 08:19–16:02
• Lots 6-7 (Semi & Hereford): 16:54–23:31
• Lots 8-10 (Americans Begin): 24:13–33:07
• Lots 11-13 (Show Pony Americans): 33:47–42:00
• Lot 14-15 (Rat Tail and Spectre Standouts): 42:44–47:33
• Lots 16-18 (Big Hair Fort Worth Prospects): 48:25–57:12
• Lot 19 (Finale, “Hammer” Simbra): 58:47–64:01

Closing Thoughts

• The set is described as “one of the deeper sets for RVR,” with “a lot of variations in terms of types and kinds and what you can do” (64:31).
• Both sellers emphasize willingness to stand behind every animal and are eager for buyers to reach out for more information or to visit.
• The excitement and honesty from Reed and Junior, along with a strong sales philosophy, reinforce the ranch’s reputation in the show cattle world.

How to Participate

• Sale Date: March 29
• Where: Steer Bidder
• Contacts: Reed, Junior, and the RVR team encourage direct inquiries and visits to Tolar, Texas.

For a full rundown and to view the offering, check the listings on Steer Bidder and reach out directly to the RVR Ranches team for videos or in-person tours. This episode is vital listening for serious show families and anyone interested in the cutting edge of show cattle genetics and management.