EmpowerU Podcast Summary:
Episode Title: Richland Farms & Bridges Cattle Ladies & Gentleman Sale Preview
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guests: Garth Simpson (Ridgeland Farms), David Bridges
Air Date: February 27, 2026
Main Theme:
A comprehensive preview and discussion of the upcoming “Ladies and Gentleman Sale” from Ridgeland Farms and Bridges Cattle, focusing on elite show calves, breeding philosophies, standout lots, and supporting both experienced and novice buyers in the livestock industry.
Episode Overview
This episode serves as a deep dive into the 2026 Ladies & Gentlemen Sale on March 8th (via Steer Bidder), introducing listeners to the sale’s most exciting lots, the stories behind their breeding programs, and what buyers can expect in terms of support and quality. Host Weston Hendrix facilitates detailed commentary with breeder Garth Simpson and cattle expert David Bridges, running through both live and genetic lots and emphasizing customer service and industry knowledge.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Sale Background & Philosophy
- Team Introduction:
- Garth Simpson: Ridgeland Farms, returning guest, committed to quality in show cattle.
- David Bridges: From Georgia, vision for a high-end steer sale with donor prospects.
- Vision:
- Focused on creating a “deep” offering of competitive cattle, dual-purpose potential, and elite genetics for a variety of show-ring goals.
- Customer Service:
- After-sale support is a major focus, offering feeding guidance, fitting, and marketing help.
Live Lots Preview [Main Segment: 01:05–17:50]
Highlights by Lot (with Key Quotes)
- Lot 1 (Silver Calf: Golden Ticket x Here I Am Monopoly)
- Summary: Dual-purpose, dense-haired, potential for major wins.
- “If you want to win, I’d probably tie in pretty hard.” – David, [02:01]
- Lot 2 (Perfection x Shortcake Shorthorn)
- Full sib to ’25 Reserve Grand at Houston; exceptional shag/hair.
- “Fort Worth shorthorn all the way… competitive at Fort Worth next year.” – Garth, [02:56]
- Lot 3 (Here I Am x Maternal Maid, Exotic Black Cross)
- Flashy, heavy weight; “fat legged” for Fort Worth.
- “Nobody’s going to miss him when he walks in the ring.” – Garth, [03:53]
- Lot 4 (One Oak Monopoly, Angus Prospect)
- Classifying flexibility, sharp structure, awesome hair.
- “If you’re not worried about classifying, you’re probably not good enough.” – Garth, [05:04]
- Lot 5 (One Oak x Fat Tina x Whiskey/Heat Wave)
- Moderate, easy feeding, ideal slick steer.
- “One you don’t really have to be technical with your feed.” – David, [06:28]
- Lots 6 & 7 (Elite Americans, full sibs)
- Big haired, distinctive personalities & color, “boxy, square, dense” (Lot 6), “cooler looking” (Lot 7).
- “When that one got off the trailer here, I said what in the heck is that thing?” – David, [08:08]
- Lot 8 (Searches over the same dam as Lots 6/7, Black Cross)
- Dual-purpose, symmetrical, cat-like movement.
- “That calf really gets me excited.” – David, [09:48]
- Lot 9 (Golden Ticket x Hi O Silver, Div. 1 prospect)
- Lightweight frame, “nothing short of quality,” ideal for Houston/Austin.
- “Someone’s gotta win that division too.” – Garth, [10:49]
- Lot 10 (“Nemo”, Maternal sib to 2018 Houston Grand, slick type)
- Greenest, designed for beginners, big personality.
- “Some little blonde headed girl needs this calf as her first calf and just have a good time with him.” – David, [12:35]
- Lots 11 & 12 (How Great Thou Art x Monopoly and Fu Manchu, heavyweight black crosses)
- Heavyweight options, slick or haired, broad endpoints.
- “Just too easy feeding good heavyweights when it comes to the end of it,” – Garth, [13:37]
- Lots 13 & 14 (Heifer Prospects: Key x Here I Am x Iris Whiskey [13], Shorthorn Plus x Perfection [14])
- Lot 13: Show or donor, “freaky,” “makes money in the future.”
- Lot 14: “Very unique” for breeding, 50% embryo/share offered—proven genetics.
Embryo & Genetic Offerings [17:50–26:49]
Noteworthy Matings/Consignments
- Lots 15–25:
- Diverse embryo packages and flush genetics from proven donor cows; highlights include:
- Take Me to Church x 208 Cow: “Worked real good for us” ([17:56])
- Chewbacca matings, Shortcake donor cow, “consistent, just good.” – David, [19:26]
- Division winners’ maternal sibs on offer (e.g., 2018 Houston Grand, 2025 Reserve Fort Worth)
- Rare matings, full sibs to top show steers, many with “ground floor” opportunities for buyers
- Diverse embryo packages and flush genetics from proven donor cows; highlights include:
Customer Support & After-Sale Service [26:49–end]
- On-Site Visits & Viewing:
- “We’re 1 mile south off exit 259 on 520 for anybody traveling for the Lubbock weekend… Please stop by.” – David, [28:32]
- Support Commitment:
- “Text me, call me... feed program right, need them clip, bring them here. We’ll come to you. Any of your pitch shows when you go to, we’ll be there.” – David, [28:32]
- Philosophy:
- Ongoing guidance, marketing, and fitting offered to buyers, aiming to get families “in the backdrop” at major shows.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “If you want to win, I’d probably tie in pretty hard. Denver, Fort Worth. He’s going to be a player there for sure.” – David (Lot 1), [02:01]
- “He just looked like a big hairy blob. And then we started clipping on him and I was like, I think we got something here with this one.” – David (Lot 4), [05:24]
- “That calf’s name’s Nemo by the way. He likes to just wander around and do things on his own… Decides to jump in the water trough.” – David, [12:35]
- “If you’re not worried about classifying, you’re probably not good enough.” – Garth, [05:04]
- “We’ll have cabs cleaned up and ready for you to look at… we got 60 to 70 others available private treaty.” – David, [28:32]
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- Intro & Sale Preview: 00:00–01:05
- Main Sale Lots Discussion: 01:05–17:50
- Embryo/Genetic Offering Discussion: 17:50–26:49
- Customer Service Philosophy & Contact Info: 26:49–29:16
Conclusion
This episode is a comprehensive, detailed breakdown of Ridgeland Farms’ & Bridges Cattle’s upcoming Ladies & Gentlemen Sale (March 8th). Garth Simpson and David Bridges share in-depth information on each live and embryo lot, insights into their breeding decisions, and a clear philosophy of customer support and service. Whether you’re an experienced show family or a first-time buyer, the sale—and the team’s commitment to ongoing support—offers something for everyone intent on success in the cattle show world.
For sale details and further questions, listeners are encouraged to contact the team directly and visit in person.