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- [00:00]
Host
So, obviously, we started kicking back up with post games at the start of Denver. Never in my life did I think I'd cover Denver. Never in my life did I think I'd cover Fort Worth again. On top of that, we've been fortunate enough to lock in every Texas major slick show that's coming up here. And to start it off, San Angelo was right after Fort Worth. They had an awesome judge there, Mr. Brandon Callis, someone who's been on here before, someone who I've had a couple conversations with and always enjoyed it. I love his perspective on life and how he always promotes the good Lord. And with that said, Brandon, I'm very grateful that you're on here. Glad that we get to go through the entire show. I think it's going to be real fun. It looked like it was a great show. So with that said, what I'd like to know is, going into this ordeal, what was your expectations, what was your thought process and maybe your selection criteria going into it? Kind of what you were looking for?
- [00:52]
Brandon Callis
Well, thanks for having me. Been looking forward to it. I'm an avid listener of these as well. It's been kind of cool to watch you pick the brains of some of these guys and gals and just see where they think. My mindset going into it is it's a Texas major, and anytime I get asked what I say, come back to the home state and get to evaluate stock again. It's. It's a dream for me because I, I never thought it'd be possible growing up where I grew up. And so, uh, I'm always excited, always very humbled and blessed to get to come down. Um, and so it. It gets to be pretty cool from that aspect and, and about like I approach most things, especially shows, is, man, you just, you just want to go in there and do an honest good job. And, and you know, not everybody's going to agree. And you got to realize that's not the point. Um, you want to go out there and just do as best you can. And main thing, explain yourself. And no matter sometimes how. How crazy it might sound, but just explain yourself. That way people can kind of get on the same page with you. And so that was kind of my mindset going into it. And then I had the fortune to go to Fort Worth and watch with Braden and so. And we never just sat down and watched that. And so that enrolled right in the four days in Angelo was. Was pretty. Pretty cool.
- [02:08]
Host
Absolutely. For sure. Well, in terms of overall of the show, do you think majority of the cattle were right at 12 o'.
- [02:15]
Brandon Callis
Clock.
- [02:16]
Host
Or do you think that at after shaving some hair off, maybe some people had realized wasn't as fresh, maybe was a little behind the curve when they slicked the hair off. Obviously there were some that didn't make the pool at Fort Worth. They shaved them off there, took them straight to Angelo. What was your thoughts there?
- [02:30]
Brandon Callis
You definitely got a mix of like freshness was still good. And I think all shows you're going to have an up and down roller coaster when it comes to freshness. And honestly, freshness is one of those things that I'm not sure everybody really understands it or everybody has the same meaning of freshness really. But for me, the way I see it is I thought there was a lot of cattle that hydration levels were good. There were some of those cattle that, yeah, they look like their age was getting just a little bit to them and that could tell. And then some, you would say that probably pleasantly surprised some folks when they shared them off. And then some, maybe they were a little disappointed. But they all, they all kind of came to the show and it made for a. It made for a tough and good sort though, for sure.
- [03:11]
Host
Yes, sir. Awesome. Well, to start off the show, the Americans are the first to roll in. Obviously there's three classes, lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight. Both your grand and reserve came out of the heavyweight class. But walk me through what the lightweights looked like middleweights and then we can talk about obviously the American drive.
- [03:28]
Brandon Callis
Yeah, lightweights. You know, I like starting with the Americans. Just growing up south, west of Houston there, Gulf coast kid. Kind of 15 miles from Warden county where all the Brahmin guys kind of started. And so it's cool to see the, the ears and the sheaths and even had one humpy in there as well. In a middleweight class. Yeah, yeah, there was one in there. Tiger stripe, kind of hump. One that danger classifies. And I hope that kid takes him on down the road. He was just a little green, but that was a good calf. Back to the lightweight class there. Thought that was cool. It was good. And what was awesome about it is, man, you got right off the bat, you got to show the people how where you want to stand as far as lines in the sand on things. First three I think I pulled. There was a really, really good built or brangus looking steer. Probably needed a nickel more bone and it could have used just a nickel more power. But so good structured and good footed and good built. And then there was a, a h of a black steer. That's massive pin and muscle and rib cage and long strided foot shape. Could have used some help and some work, but man, just everything else came together. And then a silver steer that probably looked just a little more like a, a lightweight in terms of his condition, but man, you talk about some parts and pieces that were awesome and so that made for an awesome trio actually. And kind of the lighter muscle one ended up sliding third. Just, it just made sense to set him there. And then I went with the blacks tier. He was just a little smoother, a little better in his heart and fore rib. Just a little more representative of what a fat steer. And I know they're lightweights and different guys probably have different perspective on lightweights. My thought is anytime you call it a market steer show, you ought to try to put some priority on that before we continue.
- [05:13]
Host
And this can correlate to all lightweights that came into the, into the show. Do you feel as if lightweights are starting to have a more fat steer appearance? Maybe their moderation and chubbiness is starting to get on another level?
- [05:25]
Brandon Callis
Yeah, it, it is. And, and again, as a breeder, I think this is where my mind goes. And, and you know, when you ask me to come on these things, I'm probably a little more blunt than I need to be. But in, in my mind, our, our genetics are so a little slow growing, quick side. And so, yeah, in a lot more lightweights that have more body and look, and look a little more finished for danger. Yeah.
- [05:45]
Host
Right. Well, then the middleweight class. Walk me through kind of how that felt, what it looked like to you.
- [05:50]
Brandon Callis
It was a little tougher to navigate just because there was, there were several different kinds in there that you wanted to latch onto, but yet, man, there was something about each one of them that, that kind of made you hesitate. And so like the class winner, I didn't pull him off the walk. That calf had a nose ring. Little guy was doing a great job with him. But to the calf just kind of had a slow gear and, and I didn't, I didn't want to misread structure on these cattle and then pull one to the middle and then, then realize, man, I'm burying this calf. Because I didn't really like his structure. Either they were crow hopping coming in or like this calf, he was really just balking and pulling on the kid and so he actually didn't get pulled right away. And then when I went through the line, I guess I was, I was gazing back across and I saw this big hip staring at Me went, went directly over, kind of studied him and handled him and then pulled him and got to finally watch him walk a little more relaxed. That and I thought well he's a player when I saw that. And then there was a, a black and white steer. Little girl had same thing. I don't remember pulling that calf. He was a little weird as hip at first but by the time we worked to that class that calf settled down, got his top back in him. So good footed, so good fronted. One of the truly fresh back, fresh bodied ones finally decided it's his hip posture bugged me enough that I went ahead and put him second. But I thought we ended up in that middleweight American class with two very, very dense made power cattle whose angles and everything read correctly. Not going to say the one at one was the most athletic. Not going to say the one that was second was the best out of his hip. But both were very, very good cattle.
- [07:20]
Host
Absolutely. Well then the heater class, not to discredit the other two comes in the heavyweights. Honestly just looking at pictures and looking at the two that ended up grand reserve American, very different in their type and kind just from what I read they're on photo but each one is so cool and unique in their own right. But explain that to me and how you saw them.
- [07:42]
Brandon Callis
So like that pair. When that pair walks in, yeah you, you immediately realize the heat got turned up and, and, and a good enough pair to be honest that that pair kind of set the expectations for the rest of the day and those two cattle, equally good could have justified either one of them. And I and the best way I could describe it as you as I try to break apart those and be as accurate as I could. The gray one was a little cleaner jointed and fresher backed and then when they come in there's just something about the way his head, neck and everything kind of came together. It was just a nickel more attractive. Now the cool thing about the red and white one standing there and that girl does such a great job showing that calf, that calf's not naturally just a long sleek necked one but the way the way she puts gets that one put together, it'll make you think he is because she, she does a great job of never giving you a view of that calf to where you he looks like he's a down headed one but you can just tell neck shape, the crest, his head. He's probably not quite as smooth at the top of his neck as what the gray one was. But I thought those two cattle were Dang near inseparable. But what the interesting thing, they weren't alike at all. And so I went back and forth. I mean, I'm a power guy for sure. And so I could see the red and white one being right up my alley. Just when I finally got my hands on him, I wanted that one to touch and grab. And again, this is being awfully, awfully critical of a tough pair. But I wanted him to touch and grab a. And on my way home, as I was thinking about that calf, like it would be hard for that calf to look as massive back as you want him to because he's so wide off either end. He's, he's, he is the definition of what a square animal is. You just wish he kept that same kind of big fresh squareness right behind his blade. And then I wanted to clean up his hawk. He had just a little puffiness on his offside of his, his hawk and stifle there. Just want to clean that up just to, to suit you just a little better. And that's where the gray one just became a little more problem free. He's a little weird as far as kind of coming in at his knee, but man, he just, just had a neat presence about him. He's so fresh and well fed. And I think that Kiff, they wrote him in at 1499. I mean, a big one that. I'm glad that they let him be a big one because he just, he looks so much fresher that way.
- [09:58]
Host
Were weight breaks of the show ever a little bit of a concern? Like, was there anything that was too light in your mind?
- [10:04]
Brandon Callis
No, I learned a long time ago. And again, I'll credit Dr. Shocky probably for putting this in my mind. I just want the cattle, the frame size, the performance of that animal to fit their weight. Do I want them to achieve a market weight? Yes. That's what probably deters me from using just a bunch of lightweights, which there was a scenario in this show we'll talk about later on. Maybe one of the best animals of the whole show was a lightweight, just from a confirmation standpoint. But he just, I think he was eleven hundred pounds and, and you had a market steer show, just you need to use something that, that represents a market steer as well. And there was a, there was a really, there was some really cool lightweights there. But the weight spread in my mind. I wanted the animals to fit their weight. But then if I'm going to pick a champion, I still want them to be a market animal.
- [10:50]
Host
Right.
- [10:51]
Brandon Callis
I want, I Want them to represent a pretty solid weight. And I know we've kind of opened the top as far as an industry on, on how heavy they can be, but I'm still one of those. As long as if a 1499 looks like a 14, nine looks like he should have been a 14, I'm all with it. If a 1310 is the best at 1310 and he's the best animal, guess what, 1310 can still get along.
- [11:13]
Host
Well, then obviously British come in and you had said in the drive that that lightweight's presence in build is kind of what you were after. And maybe I don't know if that's a cap you were exactly talking about. The deck cast presence and build was real, real good. Obviously the one behind him still offered a lot of mass and dimension. Talk to me about that class and how it kind of hit you.
- [11:33]
Brandon Callis
Lightweight class was, was different in the British, but like the little redneck shore horn or redneck roan that came in, he was, he was just so much denser and better bodied and better rib caged than probably his contemporaries. Along with being pretty flexible, you could, you could extend his hip. But like, he just fit the mold of a really, really good lightweight. And in the want to end up second to him, that calf kind of works himself up. Because the longer you study those cattle, the less things you want to change about that calf. For the true blue. Gotta be freaky show steer lovers. You could clean up his chest floor, but man, he was, he was so athletic and so good built and so good pen and so fresh. I thought he just made sense to hang right in there in that second hole. Just kind of got out powered by that one I used ahead of him, right?
- [12:18]
Host
Yes, sir. Well, then the middleweights happen. And you'd said this along the lines of shoulder back. This calf had the right rib cage and used to his hind leg. You just said, is he show steer enough? Explain to me the dynamic of that class and kind of how it hits you.
- [12:31]
Brandon Callis
Yeah, I thought the calf that won what I want to made him a little neater and prettier. Yes, he had scars and yet a pretty noticeable chest floor, but there just wasn't one with his skeletal integrity in that class that still had that kind of width, that kind of center dimension in rib cage to that calf. He just. The longer and the more I looked at him, the more I studied them. And especially when you walked him, he made a lot of sense. And. And he happened to be in there, if we're just being blunt. Well, maybe several of them that you had to draw some lines on structure and like that one that second behind him, you know, if we didn't have to walk those things that he's a gangster. I mean, he is, he is so good. And if, if a guy calls him sound enough, he's fine. But I thought his hawk kind of gave away on him and got a little too bow legged and it made him a little more restricted than it needed to, where he was a little short strided. But if you could have taken the second place in that case, front end in front half of him and stuck it on the burliness and good back leg of the roan calf, that won that class and you'd have had a hammer.
- [13:33]
Host
Well, then the heavyweights come in. Obviously both, you're saying both offered enough density, obviously that first place, a little more attractive, a little more presence to him. Obviously both a little different in their types and kinds. I thought that the one that won was a little bigger backed and bigger hipped. In my mind that it was just reading off of online version. But talk to me about that class, how it hit you. Obviously both heavyweights won. The British, the winner.
- [13:57]
Brandon Callis
The longer you were out there, kind of just won. He had enough of everything. You could give him more bone, you could make him a nickel fresher. But again, he was a really good, good body calf, A really big pinned calf. Still a long stride at calf that had one incredible look from the side. So long, neck so neat chested. It all just made a lot of sense standing and one of those ones you're like, okay, hey, I just want him to move well so we can go on with it. And he, and he did for sure. And then really the battle would have been second and third. The white calf end up using for second, just incredibly fresh and dancing again, he would have been one of those like 1309, 1310, maybe 1320 type of deals. But just right there. Got enough maturity to him and had just enough more shape of muscle than the Hereford calf. We ended up putting third in that class, but man, it's still a very, very good, fundamentally correct market steer. May have cut up in his flank just a notch that threw off his balance, but just didn't have maybe that look and design of the one that led off that class.
- [15:03]
Host
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- [15:04]
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- [17:42]
Host
The next obviously be your Black Cross division and that lightweight in the Black cross really hit me like a like a ton of bricks. Obviously he need to be modified in his hawk design just a little bit and you said that but that calf's presence, rib shape and just fat steer image to me was really impressive.
- [17:59]
Brandon Callis
I know I took a long time on the very last class of the show but without a doubt the most difficult class for me to sort Was lightweight blacks. There was way too many, just different kinds of variations of, of good and bad when they first walk in. And I don't think you can talk about this class without talking about the trio of them because when they first walk in I didn't think there's any way in heck I was going to beat the one I end up putting third. And most people would say yeah, you probably still shouldn't have, but he was, he was so good footed and nice designed, big hipped and I never got over the top of him when I pulled him. Just kind of had my mind made up and then the one I pulled next would end up being second man. He, you talk about a dense rib really body big backed animal. And I knew when he came in his feet were just bugging me a little, but his range of motion still held together. And then the one actually ends up winning a class. He was one of those ones that came in kind of curl hopping, walking, just a little awkward, saw some quality there. But I wanted to see him relaxed to get a good read on him. And so I didn't pull him right away. Knew I'd go, probably go back and get him, but just didn't pull him right away. And when I went and put my hands on that calf there, there weren't many calves in that show that touched as good as that lightweight black you talk about. Big and dense in his shoulder, big and dense over his loin, but just so fresh, almost perfect just in terms of just condition and the way he handled. And then when she stopped and pull that thing together, his, his look is what sold you. And so you, you had to, you had to fight some things of okay, hey, this calf needs to be better in his hip, in his foot when he walks. This, this other calf that's so burly bodied, he's got the same problem except he maybe knuckles on his pasture a little more. And then I finally got to handle the top of the, the really good built calf and I really, really wanted to convince myself and maybe if I'm not so tied to wanting to make a market steers, I just go ahead and use that calf. But he was just too narrow backed. Just, just did not have enough. And I knew, you know, that's one of those kids outside looking in, people are going to be like boy, I didn't see that one coming. But man, if you ever got on top of him, you'd probably understood what I was saying. So back class was tough for me because I love them good built and that's Why I really wanted to go with the one we end up putting third. But man, again, I think we've gotten to a point as breeders, as stock show enthusiasts, as club kef guys that we can be so in on the build of an animal and forget that part of that build is a rib cage in a back and things that make them a market animal. And that's kind of what I settled on when I got to that class. That trio of hey there, they call this a market steer show. We can't use narrow back ones to win market steer shows. And so that, that end up kind of solidifying that trio.
- [20:50]
Host
Yes sir. Well, then the middleweights happen. Obviously you'd said that was a nice trio as well. But your winner was really burly made cap that was big footed and still had the correct turn and shape up high. Ended up actually when you get in the drive, you said that one's kind of in the hunt. So talk to me about the dynamic of that class, especially with it being a trio.
- [21:10]
Brandon Callis
Yeah, what it was a trio of good fat steers. But I'll be honest, the black and white one just kind of won. He, he was just as fat steer built as the other two, but just in a different league in terms of bone density and his look still and just the huskiness and the way it all fit together. The second place calf was a really wide pin, another very, very fresh back one that was incredibly long neck, neck set was awesome. Body shape was awesome. A little just I wanted to change the set to his hind leg probably that's where he kind of, kind of didn't look as showstere looking in his hind leg maybe. And just his bulk and, and dense look is like the black and white one. And so it was a trio. But the longer you were out there, the more that black and white would just kind of distance himself. That that calf wanted to be a lot like the middleweight American or that he just was slow moving and I'm guessing had an attitude at some point in time because he had a nose ring and he just, he wasn't very trusting of going out there. But man, his, his feet and joints and everything all made sense and bent and went the right way and so I was still very comfortable with that calf.
- [22:15]
Host
Well then the heavyweights come in. Obviously it's a real tough class and from remembering back to the class, you love the body shape and rib cage of your heavyweight and he was still the most mobile. While arguably the most athletic of the division. You would have changed, modified the hockey lightweight Obviously middleweight was good, but not good, not quite good enough. Heavyweight kind of secured what you were after. Talk to me about what was going through your mind through the heavyweights. Yeah.
- [22:43]
Brandon Callis
When I talk about fundamental livestock, and I hope people don't take that as, oh, he just likes a plain one. I think fundamental cattle are important on the way to building great ones. And so this black one that ends up winning, that heavy, incredibly good muscled big pin, another dense back one. But where he was probably different of that set was his rib cage. He was so bold, but yet deep. His underlying. I know we talk a lot about this, a lot about this underlying balance these days. His was on point. And then, yeah, when, when you watched him move, very, very, very athletic from the standpoint of long reaching, big footed joints, work the right way. The calf had just a little extra set that maybe wasn't as attractive in his hawk. He had just a nickel chest he was starting to put there. That would take away just a little bit. And the main thing, he had to get a decent knot on his hawk. And again, I know it obviously didn't deter me from using in the window breed, but if I can, I'd rather have him clean jointed too.
- [23:43]
Host
Right.
- [23:43]
Brandon Callis
But I still thought it did not hinder necessarily his range of motion, just more of an aesthetics thing. But he is just a extremely, extremely fundamental one. That was fat steer first and had enough show steer to, to say, hey, this is our guy, man.
- [23:58]
Host
I saw that middleweight and I thought to myself, if that thing just had a shot, more rib cage, depth of body and a little more stifle shape, that thing would be on point.
- [24:07]
Brandon Callis
And I thought as an individual he was plenty good in those areas. And maybe he is. But when you set him right next to the heavyweight, that's when it became, became clear he just, he wasn't man enough to get around that calf.
- [24:17]
Host
Yes, sir, for sure. Well, the Next, obviously your AOCs exotics. I thought it was really deep. Obviously that last class you took a hot minute on, which in all reality. That's all right, it was real, real deep. But I want you to walk through me. Lightweights, middleweights, heavies, talk to me about how it kind of hit you all.
- [24:36]
Brandon Callis
Yeah, class one. If that calf weighs over 13, you might have been looking at champion of the show. He was built exactly like I'd want him built. Awesome rib cage, big legs, high neck set. Not gonna say he was zipper, zipper fronted and chested, but it all made sense. It still, it didn't protrude out in front of him. He still had balance to him. Big, fresh in his back and still the right muscle from behind. You could have made him probably more exotic or dynamic in terms of just his pins, but, man, that cap did so many things right. He was the first one. We come back from the. I don't usually take lunch breaks and I. And when the shows do, I respect it as well. Cause everybody's got a rest, but it just. It breaks momentum. Momentum sometimes. But I had a heck of a barbecue sandwich up there in a Gatorade. And then when we came back down, that's the first calf that literally walks in the ring after the intermission, it's like, well, game on. Let's. Let's go again. And so he was. He was fun and had a nice classmate behind him as well. I mean, big, huge pins, stout calf there that had just a lot of meat to him, just. And he was still balanced in his own right. He just didn't have that same kind of presence as that one that led off that class.
- [25:51]
Host
Yeah, I gotta ask, was that barbecue sandwich from that trailer outside?
- [25:55]
Brandon Callis
I have no clue. I don't know who cooked it. They mentioned it on the loudspeaker and I can't remember, but kudos is all I gotta say.
- [26:03]
Host
If it was them boys that cooked it in that trailer out there, there's one thing they can do right, and that is cook a brisket sandwich. They do. Yeah. It was awesome job.
- [26:12]
Brandon Callis
It was awesome.
- [26:13]
Host
Well, then walk me through the middleweights, because honestly, there was a lot of variation in terms of type and kinds in the middleweights, and that was just my. My thought process.
- [26:22]
Brandon Callis
But yeah, that. That second class of AOCs, again, one of those with. With that variation, you had to stay disciplined and again, let the class work itself out. It's kind of what I did on that one. Matter of fact, the one that wins that class, again, another one that I didn't pull right away. I wasn't just totally in love with his flexibility, but as we worked through that class, that calf got more relaxed the longer we were out there. You talk about one that's smooth. I mean, incredibly smooth. Transitions from shoulder to full rib to his hip and still progressively thickens as you studied him. Hind leg was nice. Not the huskiest bone, a little upright in his shoulder, but he used his structure just a little better than the rest of his classmates. And so the longer we were out there, the more comfortable I became with him. Is his second place buddy a little more tricked out? Pulled him right away as well. I mean, Big, big fat legs, long neck, big feature, big muscle and still smooth, a little straighter. And I thought when I pulled him he's a. Not straighter. But as the, as the class wore on that became a problem for him. But I thought his quality and his kind and that needed to be in that, that top, top two slots in that class.
- [27:36]
Host
Yes sir, for sure.
- [27:38]
Brandon Callis
So there was a, there was a third class in there. White calf, almost had a little bit of a red dappling on him at times. Lagroski girl showed fat legs, long neck, deep sided like first one I pull if I remember right in that class and you're not 100 in this structure. But like just he'd look like. You know we tell you judging kids sometimes when you walk up to a class there's some of them that might not be perfect but they just look like the winner. Like that, that would have been him. Like not perfect. But when he hit that class he just looked like the winner in that class. And so he was easy to latch onto. Extremely good looking and still dense enough and still fresh enough. Again, mobile within that class. Just wanted to clean him up in his hawk a little bit and then we could have done a lot of things from there on within that class but settled on one that again I liked his, his smoothness and soundness just a nickel better than maybe what else? That was our most eventful class. We had that, that one calf that I called aggressive, that, that almost had a mishap. But I, I'll have to get the Raftman girl some credit. She hung in there and battled him for dang sure. And then I did hear that class. There was a red and white steer that would have been right there in the mix. That again one of those calves that if we didn't have to walk him, he is incredible but his legs just gave out on him. So that class was you had a winner and then you had options for second in that class. And I went one I thought was just probably the safest bet to sit there and second.
- [29:11]
Sponsor Representative 1
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- [29:18]
Sponsor Representative 2
Founded and based in Tolar, Texas, Texas Recip was built on a simple calling to provide recipient cows that actually perform and deliver for your needs. They have a strong focus on buying and delivering the highest quality recipes.
- [29:31]
Sponsor Representative 1
All cows are blood tested to deliver clean recepts to your friends. Herd Texas Reset manages these cows from nutrition and minerals all the way to the best data tracking to deliver the greatest success. When it comes to embryo transfers, results are the only thing that matter.
- [29:47]
Sponsor Representative 2
Their focus is solving real world problems through the RESIT program, improving performance by expert nutrition, blood work and uncompromising quality assurance. At Texas Reset, they don't just sell cows, they deliver solutions built on reliability, consistency and care for your success.
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Sponsor Representative 1
Contact Scott Dreier at 309-275-5271 or Gavin Jones at 832-372-9557 or find them on Facebook and visit their website@texasrecept.com Choose Performance. Choose Quality. Choose Texas.
- [30:26]
Brandon Callis
Now.
- [30:26]
Sponsor Representative 2
Our next sponsor is someone that is no other than the legend himself, Rory Downs Prevailing Genetics, which is located in New Brownville, Texas where they raise some of the most elite show cattle and show pigs. Rory has been in the industry all of his life and has dedicated his career to getting kids to the backdrop and earning success. Rory has built his operation around honesty, integrity and morals that have kept them at the top for over a hundred years.
- [30:52]
Sponsor Representative 1
At Rory Delm's Prevailing Genetics, they constantly keep show steers and hogs for sale and if they don't have what you're looking for, they can surely find what you're seeking after. Cattle include American crosses and exotics that are only backed by the most proven genetics that are no stranger to success.
- [31:08]
Sponsor Representative 2
They also have show pigs available year round for county shows in all majors throughout the country. These animals are based off of the most consistent, predictable genetics that have yielded champions throughout the United States, producing 34 grand or reserve grand champion barrels at Texas majors alone.
- [31:26]
Sponsor Representative 1
They pride themselves on customer service and satisfaction and will do whatever it takes to earn and keep your business. They have accumulated over a hundred years of feeding experience and will help you in whatever way they can during the feeding period.
- [31:39]
Sponsor Representative 2
You can contact Rory Dam at 8306085058 for all your show steer and show pig needs.
- [31:48]
Host
I did see that last class and I saw the one that ends up winning the show walk in the ring and I thought it's over because that thing is back. Pin set, stifle shaped and rib shape was by far the most impressive that I'd seen so far at least since the Americans because I thought the American closely resembled him in terms of his shape and turned to his rib cage in my mind.
- [32:10]
Brandon Callis
Yep, yeah, going into that class before that class I would have to say the Americans would have been in heavy consideration before that class walked in. And and and not because everything was weak, it's just the Americans Were nice. But then when that class walked in, it was deep. That's the most I kept of any of the classes. I try to stay disciplined, keeping 10 of our placing calves. And I think I kept 15, maybe something like that in that class. And it was, it was treacherous to get through to try to know they. They like us to sen the ones that go get weighed first. And just trying to figure out, yes, I had an idea those front two or three, that, yes, that's, that's probably where I wanted to be in some way or form. And. But then there was others that were just right there that at any point in time it's like, hey, you know, if we set them straight to the scale off the first pool, I'd have seen about six or seven of them to the scale. But once we started figuring things out, I thought those four I sent kind of made the most sense. And then really working through the rest of that class was. Was tough just because you had some of them that were so freaking close to being pretty dang elite. And it would either be a shortness of stride or a frailness of bone or maybe they were too coarse. Just. Just different things like that that would, that would get one of them. But those four were good, Very, very good. And so it's like that fourth place calf, maybe not a more limber, sounder, easier moving calf maybe of the entire show, he just needed more density. Pins were big. Bones were even bigger. The way he way he looked moving was something. But he just, he's too flat ribbed and needed more back shape. And the calf that was third, I will go down and say there was not a more muscular calf in the whole darn show than that calf that was third. The biggest rib, the biggest butted, the biggest back. Like he had a ditch running down his back. But with that he was also the biggest shoulder. And I think if that calf has more bone and probably has just a more athletic bend to his joints and angles, probably game over. Because it would be impressive to have that kind of bulk and density and still be able to handle like an athlete. And that's where that calf fell short. So that got you those top two. And I thought what made it easier the longer out there to latch onto those two, There was nothing to move like those two that still had to with those are big pin cattle. Those were bold bodied cattle that could flat go. Foot shape was good. Hock angles were good. Shoulder angle, the way they, they set their shoulder knee on their body was good, but yet they were still square all four feet went the right way. And so structure and build, those two cattle were about identical. And so where the differences came is the one I ended up using again, his freshness of body and rib cage and flank and just his proportions read very, very, very good. He was big back, but I'm not going to say that one that was second didn't grab maybe just a tick bigger right there behind his shoulder. Pretty colored thing that one in second. And then I think the thing that made it, I probably made it closer out there than maybe I should have. The more I thought about it because I was getting hard on my champion. I was really, really wanting to dissect that calf. And when he would get lazy, I would ask myself, is he just a nickel plane? And then when he would pert back up and get on the move, it was no question about it. But then that his classmate there is just the opposite. I mean there's, there's not a cooler looking calf out there that has that kind of presence and still density. But he looked just a little shy in his flank. Almost like to the point of, you know, 30 more days a San Antonio over Houston. Hey, look out. That, that one could have been a hammer. But I still thought he would had enough on him to play obviously there yesterday as well. So two really good calves. And you're right, when that yellow one came in, I latched on because he was my speed. He was built like I like him. You could intensify muscle wise right behind his shoulder ever so slightly. But his loin was big, his hip was even bigger and he, and he handled it the right way.
- [36:08]
Host
So now obviously you get into the AOC drive. I'm assuming you pretty much had your mind made up as who was grand in reserve of the AOCs, but it looked like there was some contemplation back.
- [36:19]
Brandon Callis
And forth in the drive.
- [36:20]
Host
Yes, sir.
- [36:21]
Brandon Callis
No, that was probably me just catching my breath because you take that long on a class that good. Much like Frank said about the Class 11 at Fort Worth, when you got a class that deep, and let's just be blunt and honest, everybody that came in that class did not come to be third at that show. They came to be first or second. And you got a class that good where arguably, you know, most of the top 10 of the show is sitting right there in that class, it's hard not to. It'd take some special ones to split those up. And so there was no debate. It was more so me catching my breath, me loving on that lightweight and saying, man, I wish. I wish you were a little bigger, but I love, love, love those two we ended up with.
- [37:06]
Host
Yes, sir, for sure. And it looked like there was weight difference between the two. I don't know how big, but it looked like it for sure.
- [37:14]
Brandon Callis
You know, I'll be honest, I asked all those kids those weights, and I think one of those was 14, team 39, 37, something like that. The other one was like 13, 80 something. So, yeah, there was a little bit of a distance in between them, and that probably is what made up the difference in just body shape and density as well. I mean, just right, there was a little more to that, that gold one.
- [37:37]
Host
Well, with that said, obviously it's the end of the day. Grand drive comes in, they all walk in, and in my mind, I thought, there's three steers in contention, and it's your Grandin Reserve AOC and then your black cross, and then you keep rolling, and then that American gets set up. And I said, man, he might be in contention, too. I don't know. And so walk me through what you were thinking, if you'd like to elaborate on some other cabs that could have been in contention or thought they. They could make it there but weren't just quite enough.
- [38:11]
Brandon Callis
Yeah, when they walked, when the American was the first one to hit the gate. And my thought was, man, he looks even fresher than he did this morning, that I can't count this calf out. I'm going to give him a good study because he hit me good this morning, and I kind of got that same feel about him right now. And so, yeah, I can count this calf out. And then again, the British comes in. Nice calf, but I'll be honest, kind of out of his league in that crew for what he has surrounding him. The black one in a lot of ways is me to a T in terms of rib cage, muscle, and flexibility. I just had to sell myself if we're going to say that's the champ. Is he. Is he cool enough looking out there amongst that group, if we're just being honest. And then AOC hit the ring, and again, he was already fresh on my mind. And I'd studied him for so long, I knew I liked that calf. And so he was. He was obviously at the front of the line, kind of heading the race pretty quickly after he won his class. And my thought was, okay, do I split these two? And if I do, who you going to split them with? And, yeah, it had either been the American or the black cross is what I would have done. If I was going to split them, and then the longer they were out there, more you start to put all the pieces together. I never used to think I was a structural freak, but the longer I judged, the more I realized that I am a. I'm a nut for a great built one. And when I say great built feet and legs point the right way, but they're not narrow, they're. They're square built animals that are athletes. And the longer I looked at it, the more I gravitated to those two AOCs because again, hot posture was a little better than the American. Their look was a little cleaner than the black one, and it just made sense to keep them two together.
- [39:51]
Host
Well, overall, it seemed like a really deep, quality show. Obviously you enjoyed it in the grand drive. Everyone started clapping. That black one got loose. I was wondering if they were ever going to catch him or not.
- [40:02]
Brandon Callis
Yeah, perfect timing for one to get loose right there.
- [40:04]
Host
For sure. For sure. Well, with that said, I'd like to know, looking back at the show in its entirety, is there anything you would have done differently, or is there anything that you wish the ring would have done differently to present the show better?
- [40:21]
Brandon Callis
As far as anything I'd have done differently? Again, it's one of those. I hope I spent enough time going through those cattle. And it was imperative to me, you can go through and talk to each kid and especially while we were weighing some of those cattle. And maybe I could have done that and made it more personable. But I know as a parent and as a stock show person, you came with a competitive calf and maybe you didn't get pulled or maybe you were down the line somewhere. I want to explain to everybody why that way. There's no guess where. That's where. There's no. There's no loss in translation from a kid telling their parent, hey, just. He said this, There wasn't enough here. So what does he mean by that? And so I love the fact that they allowed me to be able to describe every animal as they walked out the gate. So that was. That was pretty cool. I thought those guys running the show did a very, very good job of keeping those cattle coming in, keeping spacing right on those cattle and just very, very hospitable. They obviously were there for the kids. And yeah, there was a time or two where one would balk and maybe the ring help was a little further away, tending to something else or tending to another one and couldn't get there as quickly as maybe the exhibitor or their parent would have wanted them to. But again, I think for us, our expectations sometimes for these shows is for everything to go perfect. But at the same time, like, man, there's a lot going on. It takes a lot to run those things. And so I'm just always very, very grateful for those guys. And, you know, the first thing they always ask a judge when they get there is, how do you want to run the ring? And sometimes they're shocked with my answer. My answer is always, you. You actually have worked this facility. I haven't. What's the best flow? And I only always have one. One request. Let's not head them towards the out gate when we're trying to get them studied, just because I don't want them kissed. So if we can figure out how to not hit them towards the out gate so those. Those younger kids don't have to fight them, that's always a must. Always.
- [42:10]
Host
Yeah. But I'd like to also know is, in terms of lighting, that's been a big deal here recently. Obviously, like we talked about at Denver, the black ones looked insane, and the gold and silver ones probably didn't look as elaborate. Fort Worth, gold and silver ones looked incredible. Black ones, not, not. Not so much. Was there a difference to you at.
- [42:30]
Brandon Callis
Angelo at all sitting in the bleachers versus being on the floor? There's. There's different shades. You see more shadows when you're sitting in the bleachers, when you're down up on them. No, there's not just a huge difference in lighting there. And I know why you asked that question, too, because as an exhibitor, if you can spend your money and find that advantage, and if there's a certain color that pops, I'd rather be on that side of things. I think almost in any lighting situation these days, that's the first thing these guys do with these facilities is they update their lighting. And I think the gold ones, colored ones kind of pop there. But I'll be honest, the black ones have shown up better than I anticipated. Now that we do a lot of different things with the lighting and everything. And somebody did mention me after the show. They felt like it was a little dark in there.
- [43:14]
Host
That's what I thought, just looking at the live stream.
- [43:17]
Brandon Callis
Yeah, I told him it didn't seem dark. I thought. I thought I was the only thing dark walking around there. And so it was. It was pretty cool. It was pretty fine for me. I kind of. Kind of watching around there. So I was good with it. That's awesome. Joke of the day.
- [43:30]
Host
You made me laugh. The first time today. Well, overall, great show. Real deep set of cattle. Grateful that you were able to come on and enjoy it thoroughly. I'm glad we got to at least dive through the classes, discuss the cattle. I always love how you. Your speech in specific, you pointed out, hey, we do this for the good Lord. If you're not here for that reason, you need to find another hobby or find the good Lord, which is the main priority. And I do appreciate that. A whole bunch. I think a lot more people need to hear that, including myself. But what I'd like to get at with all this is I appreciate your time. Appreciate you coming on. It's always an honor to talk to you, especially here on the platform. And so this is what it's all about. I appreciate everyone tuning in. Mr. Kalis, is there anything else you'd like to tack on before we end this?
- [44:16]
Brandon Callis
Keep doing what you're doing, keep improving every day, and keep loving Jesus. That's about it.
- [44:20]
Host
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Well, everyone, thank you all for tuning in. Hope this was a good postgame sword of the San Angelo Steer Show. We thank y' all for all the support and all the listeners. We'll see y' all next time.