EmpowerU Podcast — Skoglund Cattle Company Sale Preview

Host: Weston Hendrix / Luke Domingue
Guest: Mr. Skoglund, Skoglund Cattle Company
Date: October 23, 2025
Topic: In-depth preview and discussion of the upcoming Skoglund Cattle Company steer and heifer sale (October 27th, SC Online Sales), including breeding philosophy, key lots, genetic highlights, and perspective for prospective buyers.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Skoglund Cattle Company's highly anticipated annual sale, with Mr. Skoglund himself giving an insider's look into each of the sale lots—a lineup of steers and heifers bred for both show and performance. The discussion covers the origins and growth of the operation, detailed breakdowns of standout lots, and advice on maximizing the potential of these cattle for both showing and building herd quality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of Skoglund Cattle Company

• Mr. Skoglund shares the origin story, tracing roots to showing cattle in South Dakota during the late 1990s (00:56).
  • Bought his first cows, began raising club calves.
  • Relationship with Chad Foreman helped build early success.
  • Transitioned from showing to primarily raising and selling show cattle for over 26 years.
  • Emphasis on family involvement with kids, Brooke and Trey, entering the show circuit.

2. Sale Highlights: Deep Lineup with Consistency and Quality

• The sale features both steers and heifers, bred with an eye for competitive presence and future genetic value (02:22).
• Mr. Skoglund: “The sale is deep, and there’s a lot of quality steers and heifers in this sale.” (00:20)

3. Lot-by-Lot Preview and Insights

Lot 1: Steer (Bella x Fire In The Hole)

• Described as a standout "knockout since the day he hit the ground" (02:56).
• Exceptional presence, soundness, foot and bone quality.
• Target: Denver or Fort Worth 2027 — ideal holdover prospect.
• “I don’t know if he’s had a bad day. …Just hair and just, just that outlier with all those parts and pieces that he has.” — Mr. Skoglund (02:56)
• [04:41]: “That calf is extremely sound… he just gets out and moves like a cat.” — Mr. Skoglund

Lot 2: Heifer (Bella x Spread The Word)

• Same cow as Lot 1, bred for a cleaner pedigree.
• “She has that flatter muscle pattern and just that elegance to her like a breeding heifer would.” — Mr. Skoglund (05:23)
• Market or breeding option, but likely excels as a donor prospect.
• [07:00]: “The sky’s the limit with this one, you can go out there and breed this one for show steers all day long.” — Mr. Skoglund

Lot 3: Steer (Demi x Here I Am)

• Demi is a “legendary” show heifer in the Dakotas, repeatedly Supreme/Reserve champion (07:27).
• Consistently high-quality progeny; combination with Here I Am bull yields outliers for both show and breeding.
• “We’ve sold multiple high sellers out of this Demi Here I Am combination.” — Mr. Skoglund (09:59)
• [11:08]: This calf “would work really, really well for like American Royal… Next fall definitely has the look.” — Host

Lot 4: Heifer (Big Mama x Bonus Round)

• Big Mama: consistent, no-miss cow producing functional and show-quality offspring.
• “She has been an absolute no miss cow for us.” — Mr. Skoglund (11:51)
• Bonus Round, new maternal-bred bull clicked with Big Mama, producing another high-quality female (14:24).
• “She’s going to be one that people don’t forget, that’s for sure.” — Mr. Skoglund (15:36)

Lot 5: Steer (Lock On x One Oak/K2)

• Lighter, greener but well-structured steer — state fair prospect (16:03).
• Lock On is a Skoglund-bred bull out of Demi; adding muscle, structure, and feed conversion.
• “This is probably the longest, coolest fronted lock on that I’ve seen to date.” — Mr. Skoglund (16:03)

Lot 6: Heifer (Lock On x Angus/ICON)

• Soft-made, mature female, can go several breeding routes (17:42).
• “She is pretty stout and has some muscle and some shape to her, but softer in her rib and belly.” — Mr. Skoglund (17:42)

Lot 7: Steer (Perfection x Ruby)

• Shorthorn-patterned, unique color, extreme shape; considered making him a bull (19:14).
• “He’s extremely flexible in his hawk… I think is going to be ultra competitive in that shorthorn plus division.” — Mr. Skoglund (19:14)

Lot 8: Heifer (Pure Reflection x Ruby)

• Emphasis on shorthorn genetics for show ring and breeding appeal (20:42).
• “She’s big bone, she’s hairy, she’s stout in her build, she’s elegant and enough through her front third…” — Mr. Skoglund (20:42)

Lot 9: Steer (Here I Am x Primo)

• April-born, key division eligible, loaded with look and muscle (22:04).
• Out of a notable show heifer; “He’s extremely cool and cocky in his front end.”

Lot 10: Heifer (Fire In The Hole x Hollywood)

• Hollywood: built from Big Mama, now entering donor pen due to consistent high-sellers (23:30).
• “She’s got the right parts and pieces for sure.” — Host (24:32)

Lot 11: Heifer (Fire In The Hole x Ice Pick)

• From a rising cow line; previous sale high sellers, potential market heifer and future donor (24:52).
• “She’s probably the widest hipped animal in the sale.” — Mr. Skoglund (25:58)

Lot 12: Heifer (Making Time Son x Ruby)

• Deeply bred female, best kept for building the next generation of show steers (26:56).
• “If I were to keep one out of this sale for myself…this is the one right here that I’m going to keep.” — Mr. Skoglund (27:45)

Lots 13 & 14: Angus Heifers (The Rock x Family Ties dams)

• Purebred Angus, progressive “show type” genetics from Dan Ogren’s herd (28:33).
• “Two females that are gonna be competitive in the show ring and as well as make tremendous cows at the end.” — Mr. Skoglund (31:14)

Lot 15: Heifer (New Decade x Demi)

• Key/Maintainer, full sibs were past high sellers, “puts it all together" this year (31:40).
• “We truly should not be selling. We should be keeping this one back and…ready to take it to the next level.” — Mr. Skoglund (32:53)

Lots 16 & 17: Donor Flush Rights (Bella and Trixie)

• Bella: “No-miss” clubby donor, consistent sale-makers.
• Trixie: New flush opportunity, only retained female out of high-selling voodoo cow.
• “If anybody else wanted to roll the dice with us…” — Mr. Skoglund (36:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mr. Skoglund (on customer service):
  “We want to be there for the whole ride. So if you’re someone that happens to be lucky enough to get one of these animals, we’d sure like to be involved as much as possible as you take them down the line.” (37:53)

• On breeder philosophy:
  “Bella…she just seems to click no matter what we breed her to.” — Mr. Skoglund during discussion of sale-topping cow families (03:23)

• On sale depth:
  “There’s definitely a lot of heifers in here that have a lot of potential and steers that…could definitely earn their spot at any state fair or Denver/Fort Worth type shows.” — Host summary (37:17)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• 00:56 — Mr. Skoglund shares company background and breeding philosophy.
• 02:22–20:42 — Detailed breakdown of Lots 1–8 (primary sires/dams, traits, show and breeding potential).
• 20:42–32:53 — Further lots, including Angus and Key/Maintainer cattle, plus flush opportunities (genetics, maternal families).
• 37:53 — Customer support and ongoing involvement after sale.

Tone & Style

The episode is technical and detail-rich, balancing practical show ring advice (“coast him along for a holdover”) with personal reflections and family stories. The camaraderie between host and guest allows for a casual yet informative tone—where genetic detail and practical cattle showing/breeding considerations get equal billing.

Final Notes & Contact Info

• Sale Date: October 27, 2025 — SC Online Sales
• Contact: Mr. Skoglund (605-290-8463)
• Host’s Closing Words: “Empowerment is here—check out the sale link for more information and reach out to Mr. Skoglund for any cattle-related needs or advice.”

This summary should give prospective buyers, show families, and fellow breeders a comprehensive understanding of both the cattle on offer and the Skoglund program’s philosophy and support network.