EmpowerU Podcast: Rockin H Genetics Female Sale Preview
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guest: Blake Holly (Rockin H Genetics)
Date: December 22, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode of EmpowerU, Weston Hendrix sits down with Blake Holly of Rockin H Genetics to preview their upcoming Heifer and Donor Prospect Sale, set for December 29th on Steer Bidder. The episode offers deep insights into each of the sale lots, highlighting pedigrees, maternal strengths, structural benefits, and the unique qualities Blake seeks in his cattle. Both the livestock and the business of building Rockin H Genetics are covered, empowering livestock enthusiasts, breeders, and buyers with valuable background and breeding recommendations.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction to Rockin H Genetics
- Background – Blake Holly introduces himself and Rockin H Genetics, located in Le, Oklahoma, running a diverse herd from donors to recips (recipient cows). The operation has moved to regular online sales via Steer Bidder in the past two years with notable success and strong customer focus. (00:46)
"We started doing sales two years ago with Steer Bidder. We feel like we have a very good offering this time and would love to talk to you guys about them." — Blake (00:46)
Lot-by-Lot Sale Preview
Lot 1: Tag 6
- Pedigree: How Great Thou Art x Donor 84
- Triple Clean prospect, extremely dense-made female from a Ryan Went cow family, bred and developed at Rockin H.
- Blake’s Take:
"I don't know if you call it luck, but we're sure proud of her. The only thing I change is I wish I had 10 of them." – Blake (01:42)
- Breeding Advice: Flexible; could work well with “Here I Am,” “In God,” “Golden Ticket,” or “Say No More” sires. (02:50-03:29)
Lot 2: Tag 730
- Pedigree: In God We Trust x Rumchata (KA Bar cow)
- TH Carrier Silver Heifer, March-born, solid look with excellent feet and legs. Came out of Kale Hensley's partnership.
- Blake’s Take:
"When he unloaded her off the trailer, I was like, hey, what's that thing?... She may be just a tad punchy, but we think a great deal of her." (04:00, 04:53)
- Breeding Advice: Works well with “Red, White & Delight,” “King of Kings,” or “Water to Wine” bulls. (05:10)
Lot 3
- Pedigree: Say No More x Maternal Maid
- March-born, triple clean.
- Blake’s Take:
"Her neck set's incredible. She's got very good feet and legs. She's got enough spring of rib and she's stout enough. She's not overly stout..." (05:39)
- Breeding Advice: Versatile, with outstanding cow family backing.
Lot 4
- Pedigree: New World Order x Irish Whiskey
- Black and white baldy, double dirty (TH & DS Carrier), but moves exceptionally well with a strong presence.
- Blake’s Take:
"Her hair and her color, striking. I think there's a lot of upside. Her mom has done a good job raising heifers for us. I think we sold one last year for 5,500 out of that same cow." (07:03)
- Breeding Advice: Could match with “Red, White & Delight,” “King of Kings,” “Golden Rule.” (07:03)
Lot 5: Tag 17
- Pedigree: Zookeeper x Monopoly x Business Done Right
- TH carrier, standout profile, owned by Rockin H.
- Blake’s Take:
"She's wide, she's big legged, very functional, up headed and very good haired. It's hard to pick a hole in this heifer, I think." (08:26)
- Decision Point: Considering moving the dam to the donor pen based on consistent female quality. (08:57)
Lot 6
- Pedigree: How Great Thou Art x Maternal Maid
- May-born, triple clean, notable for presence, structure, and movement.
- Blake’s Take:
"I love one that looks like this one. I mean, she's young compared to the rest of these heifers... I'm just big on structure." (10:03)
- Breeding Advice: Could go back to “Back to Good,” “Golden Ticket,” or “Greater Good.” (11:05)
Lot 7
- Pedigree: How Great Thou Art x May We All
- March-born, DS carrier, strong-headed and structurally impressive.
- Blake’s Take:
"I prefer a clean donor... I just think as moderate as this one is... she's just a real complete big middle, stout female." (11:42)
Lot 8
- Pedigree: Maintainer – Fair Game x Fair Brandy over Dakota Gold
- April-born, PHA carrier.
- Blake’s Take:
"Fair game… his females are phenomenal. They're upheaded, they're good looking… this one's been cocky every day since she came out." (12:52)
- Breeding Advice: “How Great Thou Art” recommended; projects red gene potential. (13:55)
Lot 9
- Pedigree: How Great Thou Art x Irish Whiskey
- TH and DS carrier; half-sister to other standout producers.
- Blake’s Take:
"That donor cow is real freak geek necked... How great complimented that cow. Well, by putting some middle in her and the hair just falls off over." (14:56)
- Breeding Advice: “Spread the Word” bull suggested. (15:46)
Lot 10
- Pedigree: Here I Am x Maternal Maid
- TH & DS carrier; full sibling to a well-selling heifer last year.
- Blake’s Take:
"I think this heifer is better than last year's heifer... her legs are ginormous. She's very big middle for here I am female." (16:49)
Lot 11
- Pedigree: Here I Am x Donor 65 (Maternal Maid)
- Dam produced a $30,000 steer sold to Steve Bonham.
- Blake’s Take:
"We think a good deal of this cow... King of kings on the Here I am. Deal seems to be working..." (17:54)
Lot 12
- Pedigree: Prime Time x Irish Whiskey (High Main)
- May-born, triple clean, dual-purpose potential but show heifer highly recommended.
- Blake’s Take:
"She's very high quality and a young showman gentle. I think this one needs to find its way in the ring..." (19:01)
Lot 13
- Pedigree: How Great Thou Art x Patton
- TH carrier, suffered early dam loss but showed survivorship and vigor.
- Blake’s Take:
"I've never had good luck bottle feeding one. So I wanted to give her a shot because I knew she was special." (20:03)
Lot 14
- Pedigree: One For All x Irish Whiskey (High Main; full sib to Lot 9 dam)
- High show potential, not for a first-timer, significant future as a donor.
- Blake’s Take:
"If nothing else, she's a well of a donor cow to have a high mane with that good a neck set, good legs, good hair." (21:33)
Lot 15
- Pedigree: Fair Game x Heer
- April-born, triple clean, smaller but “high tying stout featured.”
- Blake’s Take:
"She's very quality and very upheaded. Very extreme. I think this one shows as well in the maintainer division." (22:39)
Lot 16
- Pedigree: How Great Thou Art x Monopoly
- March-born, TH carrier, the largest-footed female.
- Blake’s Take:
"If she would have had different plumbing, we would be raring to go and whipping and spurring wanting to keep her in the barn. She’s just massive footed, good structured, just big hipped..." (23:53)
Lot 17
- Pedigree: One For All x Goose 16 (High Main)
- Only show rights and half interest selling, extremely elite, entered at Congress.
- Blake’s Take:
"We just think she's special as a donor. She's going to make phenomenal show heifers… if someone, whoever buys her, wants to show her in the open show at Congress, Kayl and I will be there to help..." (25:10)
Rockin H Genetics: Philosophy & Future (27:29)
- Blake’s Livestock Journey:
"Oil field first. Cattle are my passion. My dad was an ag teacher... It's my stress relief... We have well up into over 200 cows now..." (27:29)
- Emphasizes the role of mentors, the importance of quality, and growing the operation into the hundreds of elite females. Transova facility proximity boosts their program.
"We have Transova stationed right out here... It makes it real easy for us to flush other people's cows and our cows... We have a lot of repeat buyers in the short two years we've been doing it, and I feel like these cattle represent what we are today." (28:16-29:36)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Quality of the Offering:
"We made a mission to offer our best. So this is our best March April calves... I think that if I was going to be protecting this one it's maybe just a little bit of her neck... But I think she's very, very high quality and she's very sound." – Blake (20:03)
-
On the Path from Humble Beginnings:
"I didn't have a cow. We're well up into over 200 cows now... And I feel like we're finally starting to break the surface and we would love to help people in any manner possible." – Blake (27:29)
Important Segment Timestamps
- Introduction & Background to Rockin H – 00:01–01:13
- Lot 1 Discussion – 01:13–02:50
- Lot 2 Discussion – 03:29–05:10
- Lot 3-6 – 05:22–11:05
- Lot 7-10 – 11:22–16:49
- Lots 11–12 – 17:43–19:41
- Lots 13–15 – 20:03–23:34
- Lots 16–17 – 23:53–25:10
- Closing Reflections/Philosophy – 27:29–29:36
Summary Takeaway
This preview provides detailed commentary on all 17 lots in the Rockin H Genetics sale, including insights on pedigree, structure, performance, and recommended matings. Blake Holly’s genuine passion for cattle and desire to build enduring customer relationships shine throughout. The conversation offers invaluable context and advice for buyers, breeders, and anyone interested in club calf and donor prospects, making it a must for anyone considering participation in the sale or simply wanting to learn more about the cattle business at a high level.
