EmpowerU Podcast Summary
Episode: RJ Cattle Co Fall & Summer Born Heifer Sale Preview
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guest: Ryan Johnson (RJ Cattle Co)
Date: February 26, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Weston Hendrix welcomes back Ryan Johnson of RJ Cattle Co to preview the upcoming Fall & Summer Born Heifer Sale scheduled for March 3rd in Oskaloosa, Kansas. The conversation focuses on a lot-by-lot preview of sale offerings—two bull prospects and a diverse selection of standout females (heifers) from elite cow families across various breeds. The episode provides insights on breeding philosophy, cow family consistency, and the future potential of each animal, aiming to empower listeners/industry participants with knowledge, confidence, and detailed context to make informed decisions.
Key Discussion Points & Sale Lot Highlights
Introduction and Sale Goals
- Ryan Johnson Introduction (00:35):
- Ryan reintroduces himself and outlines the objectives: “Just like years past…the primary goal is to get these cattle a little closer to southern buyers, away from our cold winter climate.”
- Sale offers both summer and fallborns, held at Zach Wells’ place in Oskaloosa, KS.
Lot-by-Lot Preview
Lot 1: Three-Quarter Simmental Bull Prospect
- Pedigree: County O × Pandemic Relentless Tammy (‘Joe’ female)
- Host (01:11): “He reads extremely burly and dense…an outlier for the Simmental breed in terms of length, neck, and how big footed and soft he is at the surface.”
- Ryan (01:43):
- “A natural calf out of a donor Zach actually bought…unique color, real dark red...‘He would be very, very competitive’ in the show ring but also ‘make the next generation of purebreds really unique and nice.’”
Lot 2: Main Angus Bull Prospect
- Pedigree: Hits Different × Wood 207 (Sandy)
- Host (03:12): “Unique through his front one-third...reads a little more youthful but still progresses back deep to his flank.”
- Ryan (03:39):
- Accidental bull calf from a show-heifer mating—“Dang sure, one we are not disappointed in...very, very unique through his front one third but still plenty of rib and power.”
- “Could make High Mains on purebreds…make some very high-quality F2s.”
Lot 3: Angus Heifer Prospect
- Pedigree: A1 × 532 Cow (First N Goal)
- Host (05:07): “Refinement and femininity…such a square and level made female.”
- Ryan (05:47):
- “One of the most unique front thirds—head, neck, and shoulders…commands your attention right away…big time donor prospect out of the 532 cow.”
Lot 4: Purebred Shorthorn Heifer
- Pedigree: Perfection × Lady Crystal434P3
- Host (06:46): “Extremely dense and big pieces but puts it all together so well.”
- Ryan (07:08):
- “Lady Crystal deal is timeless…this heifer calf almost does it to another degree…favorite ever from this mating…versatile for both show and production.”
Lot 5: Polled Hereford Heifer
- Pedigree: On Demand × Pixie (Sustainable)
- Host (08:04): “Refreshing to see a Hereford female with that kind of hair coat…dense featured, big rib, and big hipped.”
- Ryan (08:26):
- “Pixie has gone on to do some big things…Probably my favorite Pixie daughter I’ve ever seen…beautiful hair coat…will fall into the whole Pixie cow family of being a big-time generator.”
Lot 6: Purebred Simmental Heifer
- Pedigree: Coping with Destiny × Vicki (Relentless)
- Host (09:47): “Might be a little more green, but her build is immaculate—so level and square, soft at the surface.”
- Ryan (10:16):
- “Purebred Simmental—they don’t make them that pretty and sound every day…Vicki cow is very popular…this Coping With Destiny may be one of her best work yet.”
Lot 7: Three-Quarter Shorthorn Heifer
- Pedigree: Written in Red × Shortcake (Man Amongst Boys × Lady Crystal)
- Host (11:10): “High tying, strong topped, dense haired.”
- Ryan (11:36):
- “Tried Written In Red for something different…wish I had more just like her…brings structure, power, and look to another level.”
Lot 8: Steer Mama Deluxe—Crossbred Heifer
- Pedigree: In God We Trust × 400
- Host (12:44): “Doesn’t get as burly as this one—big ribbed…massive back leg.”
- Ryan (13:09):
- “400 cow…kicks out cool stuff year after year…these 400 daughters are doing big things…this one is attention grabbing.”
- “Wish she was a steer—would be a high dollar show calf. But a huge production piece.”
Lot 9: Three-Quarter Simmental Heifer
- Pedigree: Coping With Destiny × Lady Killer
- Ryan (14:26):
- “Full sister to our high seller from a couple years ago…one of the most incredible two-year-olds I've ever seen…very cool three-quarter blood.”
Lot 10: Angus Heifer
- Pedigree: Style × 138J (Dignity × 419)
- Host (15:18): “Long necked…very sound at the surface.”
- Ryan (15:38):
- “Hard to put a hole in…full and maternal sisters have done a lot of winning…bright show ring future and fun breeding piece.”
Lot 11: Crossbred Heifer
- Pedigree: Man Amongst Boys × Full Throttle female (club-calf Hereford cross)
- Host (16:32): “Impressive rib cage, massive hip—will produce next-gen show steers crossbred to Herefords.”
- Ryan (16:53):
- “Extra density and width…a very good mark to take advantage of extra pop, bone, hair, and muscle.”
Lot 12: Crossbred Heifer
- Pedigree: Ginger × 719
- Host (17:31): “Proportionality and symmetry…huge footed, soft and agile at the surface.”
- Ryan (17:51):
- “Cool moderate, big bodied, hairy, flexible…Ginger cross daughters will be fun to breed on.”
Lot 13: Half Blood Simmental Heifer
- Pedigree: Sam × 49G
- Host (18:57): “Proportional with a standout silhouette.”
- Ryan (19:21):
- “Can raise different breeds…she’s hard to fault, awesome in her angles, big body…very competitive for summer division shows.”
Lot 14: Seven-Eighths Shorthorn Heifer
- Pedigree: Lethal × Lady Crystal
- Host (20:03): “Very dense haired, big rib cage, used her hind leg very well.”
- Ryan (20:28):
- “High percentage shorthorn…brings extras to the table. Unique color—bred to a red bull, can get something very unique.”
Lot 15: Crossbred Heifer (Full Sib to Lot 11)
- Ryan (21:16):
- “Maybe a little more conservative in her markings but dense and big hipped…another fun breeding piece.”
Lot 16: Crossbred Heifer (Full Sib to Lot 12)
- Host (21:35): “A little denser and burlier about the rib cage than her sister.”
- Ryan (21:47):
- “Bigger legged and hipped…very fun to breed on, beautiful color, awesome feet and legs.”
Lot 17: Half Blood Shorthorn Heifer
- Pedigree: Ginger × Lady Crystal
- Host (22:09): “Long necked, feminine, agile on the move.”
- Ryan (22:27):
- “Looking for a club calf shorthorn mark donor…big bone, big hip, long thin neck, cool new mating.”
Lot 18: Maintainer/Low Key Heifer
- Pedigree: Hits Different × 422 (Broker × Angus Harrietta)
- Host (22:51): “Doesn’t get more maternal than this…soft, deep, big burly hind leg.”
- Ryan (23:15):
- “So powerful and flexible…drives off both ends…always liked the best for being the biggest legged, footed, burliest…ties it all together really nice.”
Additional Insights & Notable Moments
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Memorable Quotes:
- “She hits you with some presence and commands your attention right away but definitely does not disappoint you from their back.” — Ryan Johnson, on Lot 3 (05:47)
- “I wish she was a steer…would be a high dollar show calf. But somebody can take advantage and utilize her in production.” — Ryan Johnson, on Lot 8 (14:12)
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Breed Philosophy:
- Flexibility in breeding decisions for both show and production use.
- Emphasis on proven cow families and consistency across matings.
- Unique matings to keep improving structural correctness, hair coat, and power.
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Sale Logistics (24:12–24:49):
- Contact Zach Wells (Kansas location) for viewing and sale details.
- Help available for transportation and paperwork; prompt on registration papers.
- Sale is March 3rd; all calves available for viewing in Kansas.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction/Overview: 00:00–00:35
- Lot 1–2 (Bulls): 01:11–05:07
- Lots 3–5 (Heifers: Angus, Shorthorn, Hereford): 05:07–09:47
- Lots 6–8 (Simmental, Shorthorn, Crossbred): 09:47–13:09
- Lots 9–11 (Simmental, Angus, Crossbred): 14:11–16:53
- Lots 12–14 (Crossbred, Simmental, Shorthorn): 17:31–20:28
- Lots 15–18 (Crossbreds, Half-blood Shorthorn, Maintainer): 21:09–23:15
- Wrap Up/Contact Info: 24:12–24:49
Tone and Style
The tone throughout is knowledgeable, upbeat, and detailed—suited to an informed livestock audience interested in both practical and genetic details. Both host and guest maintain an encouraging, open, and candid approach aimed at empowering listeners with in-depth context and opportunity for follow-up.
For Listeners
Whether you're a potential buyer, cattle enthusiast, or breeder, this episode provides a transparent, detailed breakdown of the genetics, expected performance, and strategic decisions behind each lot. Listeners are encouraged to reach out with questions or view the cattle in person, underscoring the open and collaborative nature of RJ Cattle Co’s sales philosophy.