Podcast Summary: EmpowerU

Episode: Rockin H Genetics & Hensley Brothers Sale Preview

Host: Weston Hendrix
Guests: Blake Holly (Rockin H Genetics), Kale Hensley (Hensley Brothers)
Date: April 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of EmpowerU features a detailed preview of the upcoming Rockin H Genetics and Hensley Brothers cattle sale, scheduled for April 6th and viewable on Steer Bidder. Host Weston Hendrix is joined by Blake Holly and Kale Hensley, who provide in-depth commentary on standout steers in the sale, highlighting their pedigrees, conformation, and show potential. The discussion offers valuable insights for prospective buyers, showmen, and anyone interested in the thought process behind selecting, raising, and marketing elite show cattle.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Remarks & Sale Information

• Acknowledgement to Community ([00:31]):
  • Kale Hensley: Expresses gratitude for the interest and increased visitors leading up to the sale.
  • Blake Holly: Thanks past and future customers, emphasizing the home-raised nature of most cattle in this offering.
  • Emphasis on the collaboration between the two programs and anticipation for a busy sale week in Oklahoma.

2. Lot-by-Lot Breakdown (Steers Highlighted for Sale)

Lot 1: “How Great Thou Art x Donor 82” ([01:25])

• Super dense hair, huge feet and legs, moves correctly, impressive from the profile.
• Kale: Praises the calf’s impeccable structure and versatility for any endpoint.
  • “I think this thing can be real competitive anywhere a guy wants to take him.” ([01:44])
• Blake: Notes it’s out of a promising young donor, with a strong track record of producing high-value calves.

Lot 2: “How Great Thou Art” Polled Angus ([02:47])

• Highlighted as a potential Angus standout with strong structure and proportion.
• Kale: Details the calf’s clean sheath, correct head set, and quality hair; emphasizes competitive edge.
• Blake: Discusses the debate on best calves in the crop and high expectations.

Lot 3: “How Great Thou Art x Man Amongst Boys” - Solid Red Steer ([03:56])

• Burly, moderate, easy-feeding, with standout size and muscle.
• Kale: “Cherry red color that’d be hard to miss him in the ring… huge pinned, monster legs.” ([04:13])
• Blake: Positive crowd response during photo pen day, calls him a true crossbreed contender.

Lot 4: “In God We Trust x Broker Red Thunder” ([04:58])

• Full brother to a high-traction calf from a previous sale.
• Kale: Notes improved neck and shoulder over sibling; ideal for “late in the show buying year.”
• Blake: “Just as good a quality as any white calf we've sold this year… pretty stout made.” ([06:10])

Lot 5: “How Great Thou Art x Donor 20” ([06:31])

• Stout features, good structure, wide pins, impressive on the move.
• Kale: “A very good dual purpose one… build and feet and legs—calf’s spot on.” ([06:52])
• Blake: Notes strong cow family and standout status since birth.

Lot 6: “Here I Am x Donor 40” ([07:46])

• Exceptional long neck and presence, impressive profile, burly hind leg.
• Kale: Calls him “crazy, crazy long necked… just as stout and just as burly.”
• Blake: Full brother to a $20,000 heifer, raves about the pedigree's reliability.

Lot 7: “How Great Thou Art x Donor 251” ([08:45])

• Slick-shear prospect, praised for structure and profile.
• Kale: Rare slick offering, “shape up high and his pin width… very, very quality slick sharing one.” ([09:16])
• Blake: Transformation after slicking: “I would take a whole pasture full of these to sell.” ([09:40])

Lot 8: “How Great Thou Art x Donor 20 (White Flank)” ([10:09])

• Chrome-marked, dual-purpose (haired or slicked), massive up high.
• Kale: “Really dense and just has so much expression and width… still gets out and goes good.”
• Blake: Calls him the “slicking brother”—low maintenance and versatile.

Lot 9: “In God We Trust x Donor 126” ([11:23])

• Standout for presence and versatility.
• Kale: “Really, really dual purpose… offers a lot of versatility.” ([11:51])
• Blake: Points to donor’s strong record and recommends as a slick for southern major shows.

Lot 10: “How Great Thou Art x Troubadour Female” ([12:50])

• Strong slick steer potential with excellent shape and running gear.
• Kale: “Easy feeding, no holes calf... just really hard to put a hole in.” ([13:17])
• Blake: Balanced, sound, and versatile.

Lot 11: “Golden Ticket x Donor 40” ([13:56])

• “Neat profile,” bold rib, soft-bodied, strong structure and hair coat.
• Kale: “He is awfully, awfully soft haired for a silver one… hip and hind leg is spot on.” ([14:20])
• Blake: Notes extensive quality and siblings reserved for future heifer sales.

Lot 12: “Life's a Trip x BDR” ([15:05])

• Slick-type build, tidy chest, future potential with more feed.
• Kale: Raised by Cody Bailey, notes strong structure and ideal for aggressive feeders.
• Blake: “If you’re willing to push on one and get him dialed in, I think this thing could be real good.” ([16:19])

Lot 13: “How Great Thou Art x Donor 20” ([16:37])

• Lightweight/middleweight prospect with high hair quality.
• Kale: “Another one that's dual purpose… parts and pieces can go either way, hair or slick.” ([16:54])
• Blake: Possibly “the buy of the sale” due to quality and genetics, though a bit spirited.

Lot 14: “How Great Thou Art x Patent Female” ([17:42])

• Advanced condition, burly, with an awesome hair coat.
• Kale: “Good, honest feeding one… chubby built and crazy, crazy good haired.”
• Blake: Full brother had previous OYE success; pictures don’t do the calf justice.

Lot 15: “Here I Am x Clarabelle (Maternal Maid)” ([18:40])

• Symmetry, big rib, powerful shape; some debate on classification due to sheath/ears.
• Kale: “His structure is awesome… maybe he just needs a little bit of time on feed, but a real high quality calf.” ([19:04])
• Blake: Complete, versatile; “someone can go out and campaign him… and be proud of him.” ([19:54])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the sale’s value:

  • “For those guys that like to feed a little older one, I think this is a good opportunity.” – Kale Hensley ([05:28])

• On customer support:

  • “We’re more than happy to help in any way that we can… We want to see you guys succeed.” – Kale Hensley ([20:31])

• On calf quality:

  • “There’s a possibility he could slick… I think this thing’s pretty stout made and can run with the best of them.” – Blake Holly ([06:10])

• On classification and honesty:

  • “I’ve definitely seen less sheath and people calling them Americans, but that’s for anybody else to decipher…” – Weston Hendrix ([20:09])

Final Thoughts & Closing

• Looking Ahead:

  • Both guests hint at a mid-May sale featuring more cattle of similar quality, and welcome calls or questions from interested buyers.

• Culture of Support:

  • Strong emphasis on follow-up advice, customer support, and helping buyers succeed with their livestock long after the auction.

• Host’s Closing:

  • Weston reiterates his enthusiasm for the cattle, thanks the guests, and encourages listeners to participate in the upcoming sale.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:31] – Sale context and community thanks
• [01:25] – Lot 1 analysis
• [02:47] – Lot 2 breakdown
• [03:56] – Lot 3 discussion
• [04:58] – Lot 4 insights
• [06:31] – Lot 5 evaluation
• [07:46] – Lot 6 review
• [08:45] – Lot 7 feature
• [10:09] – Lot 8 commentary
• [11:23] – Lot 9 summary
• [12:50] – Lot 10 impressions
• [13:56] – Lot 11 overview
• [15:05] – Lot 12 comments
• [16:37] – Lot 13 impressions
• [17:42] – Lot 14 analysis
• [18:40] – Lot 15 final steer
• [20:31] – Final words, support for buyers
• [21:26] – Program directions and closing thoughts

This episode offers a rare, detailed “behind the curtain” look at how elite steers are evaluated and marketed, and provides practical insights for buyers and exhibitors aiming to succeed at the highest levels of Show Cattle competition.