EmpowerU Podcast: Smoky Y Ranch Red Angus Sale Preview

Host: Weston Hendrix
Guests: Kelly & Cody Younkin (Smoky Y Ranch); Mike Barlow (Premium Beef Genetics)
Episode Date: March 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode offers an in-depth preview of the upcoming Smoky Y Ranch Red Angus Bull and Heifer Sale, happening March 9, 2026. Weston Hendrix is joined by Kelly and Cody Younkin of Smoky Y Ranch in Monument, Kansas, and Mike Barlow from Premium Beef Genetics. The conversation covers the ranch’s history, the philosophy behind their cattle breeding, and a comprehensive walk-through of standout lots and sires represented in this year’s sale. Listeners gain direct insight into bloodlines, selection decisions, and what sets these animals and this event apart for both buyers and cattle producers.

1. Ranch History and Philosophy

[02:11 – 05:18]

• Background: Smoky Y Ranch is a multi-generational, family-run operation started by the Younkin family in the 1960s. The ranch sits on the old Tuck Smith Ranch property, purchased in 1978.
• Registered Herd: Over the last 15 years, the ranch transitioned from a commercial to a registered Red Angus program, growing to over 750 purebred cows from an initial 70-head foundation.
• Production Environment: The cattle are run on large, rugged pastures (500–3,000 acres), enduring tough, dry, and variable Kansas conditions.
• Breeding Philosophy: Emphasis on feet, udders, and overall functionality. The herd is built for adaptability: “They’ve built an animal out there that thrive on that in that condition…they know how to thrive in a desert area and…in a really cold area.” – Mike Barlow (04:27)
• Customer Base: The ranch serves both commercial and seedstock customers, aiming to provide sound, adaptable cattle.

2. Two-Year-Old Bull Highlights (Lots 1–18)

[05:18 – 09:58]

• Primary Offerings: Lots 1–18—two-year-old bulls described as robust, functional, and sourced from proven, foundational cow families.
• Lot 1 & Cow Families:
  • Features a “long, lot of body” bull out of the influential E731 granddam, part of their original 75-head purchase.
  • Outcross Canadian genetics (MRLA 61X) provide “females…real feminine…more moderate.”
• Influence of ‘Custom Made’ Sire:
  • “The custom made bulls have really done a miraculous job…putting pounds on the ground and in a lower berth, but still yet giddy up and go.” – Mike Barlow (06:50)
• Grantland Bulls:
  • Described as “freaky fronted, lower birth weight…they come out small and they get going and…grow into themselves.” – Kelly Younkin (07:34)
  • “A lot of performance…should have been a show bull, but just got the look.”
• Expansion Plans: The aim is to double two-year-old offerings in future sales, striving for up to 150 head as half of the auction (08:15).

3. Notable Sire Groups & Individual Standouts

a) 'Declare' Bulls (Lots 11 & 12)

[08:43 – 09:58]

• Commanding phenotype, deep-bodied, and high functionality.
• “We don't really dive into the EPD game that much…they’ve got to look good to really stay.” – Kelly Younkin (09:06)

b) ‘Cashmere’ Sons (Starting Lot 19)

[09:59 – 12:01]

• Lot 19 highlighted as a crowd-favorite, low birth weight yet powerful.
• “He was one of the heaviest calves we weaned and he's just got a huge hip in him, long…” – Kelly Younkin (11:21)
• Cashmere described as leaving standout females as well as bulls.

c) ‘Dominion’ Sire Group (Lots 32–35)

[12:01 – 13:22]

• “They have an advantage in terms of height to shoulder extension…while still offering a lot of rib shape and a huge hip.” – Weston Hendrix (12:12)
• Dominion’s dam and granddam have track records for longevity and maternal performance.

d) ‘Custom Made’ Sons (Lots 36–42)

[13:27 – 14:54]

• “He’s just a big square…easy keeping type of genetics.” – Kelly Younkin (13:47)
• Lot 37 flagged as an outstanding heifer bull with a high CED (calving ease direct) score: “He’s got an 18 for CED…pretty rare for a CED to be that high and look that good.” – Mike Barlow & Kelly Younkin (14:43)

e) ‘Coming In Hot’ Sons (Lots 45–48)

[15:12 – 16:38]

• Purchased from Six Mile, known for “a lot of body, stout…the same way thick, a lot of body, move good.” – Cody Younkin (15:56)
• “Those calves are the high sellers…They don't look like normal red Angus bulls.” – Kelly Younkin (16:38)

f) ‘Railyard’ and ‘Flashback’ Genetics (Lots 59–64)

[16:50 – 18:44]

• Praised for foot and leg structure and overall longevity. “We put him through the ringer and he just kept doing a good job.” – Kelly Younkin (17:39)

g) Special Highlights: Lots 67 & 76

[18:44 – 20:47]

• Lot 67 “reminds me of Grantland…long, thick…good temperament.” – Kelly Younkin (19:05)
• Lot 76 is a moderate, dark red, stout heifer bull—“one of my favorite bulls in the sale”, combining phenotype and maternal strength.

h) ‘Prosperous’ Sons (Lots 92–94)

[20:47 – 22:47]

• Lot 92: “Heavy, heavy bull, gets out and moves like a cat…a stud.” – Kelly Younkin (21:19)
• Prosperous 10K: “Easy keeping bull just gets around good…held his weight…phenotype bull that has just really done well for us.” – Cody Younkin (21:34)
• Noted for dark cherry red color, structural quality.

4. Heifer Highlights & Female Offering Details

[22:47 – 27:57]

• Top Spring Open Heifers:

  • Nine offered; 102 described as a standout Grantland/Dominion daughter with show heifer attributes. “She struts her stuff.” – Kelly Younkin (23:09)
  • “This is one heifer that’s tough to let go…you want to keep her but you can’t keep them all.” – Cody Younkin (23:38)

• Selection Process:

  • From 150+ head, strict culling based first on phenotype, then DNA—“We’re not picking off EPDs, we’re picking off really sire groups. They have to look good to stay here.” – Kelly Younkin (25:14)

• Pick of Three Heifers:

  • “This is 100% all of their keeper heifers in the entire fall program…there’s donor-caliber females in there.” – Mike Barlow (24:12)

• Genetics Available: Custom Made, Dominion, Cashmere, Fundamental, McAllister, Powder River, Grantland, Coming In Hot, and more.

• Unique Opportunities:

  • Lot 111: Pick of 145 heifers—“The consistency of that set of females is just freaking amazing.” – Mike Barlow (27:57)

5. Customer Service, Sale Day, & Final Notes

[27:57 – End]

• Sale Experience:
  • Pre-sale evening includes meal, music, and cattle viewing: “Good camaraderie, a lot of like-minded people…really fun sale.” – Mike Barlow (28:45)
• Sale Logistics:
  • Sale broadcast live on both DV Auction and Superior, giving buyers flexible participation.
  • “All the bulls have been GGP tested…they’re 100% ready to do their job.” – Mike Barlow (29:54)
  • “Most consistent set of bulls we’ve raised from top to bottom.” – Cody Younkin (29:43)
• Calving Ease Emphasis: 35+ bulls offered are long yearlings or two-year-olds suitable for heifer projects.
• Open Invitation: Ranch is open to buyers prior to the sale for private viewing.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Building Functional Cattle:
  “You’ve built an animal that will thrive in any condition…they just kind of weeded them out.”
  — Mike Barlow [04:27]
• On Sale Philosophy:
  “We’re trying to offer the best we can offer, and she’s one that’s gonna go out there and have a bright future.”
  — Cody Younkin (Referring to Lot 102 Heifer) [23:38]
• On Heifer Selection:
  “We’re not picking off EPDs. We’re picking off of really sire groups. It’s all just eye appeal.”
  — Kelly Younkin [25:14]
• On Bull Consistency:
  “This set of bulls is the most consistent we’ve raised from top to bottom.”
  — Cody Younkin [29:43]
• On Sale Atmosphere:
  “If you had never been there, we sure invite you to come out because these guys don’t hold back…good camaraderie, a lot of like-minded people.”
  — Mike Barlow [28:45]
• On Bulls for Heifers:
  “There’s at least 35 bulls selling in this sale…ready to work and go on a set on your heifer projects.”
  — Mike Barlow [26:05]

Important Timestamps

• [02:11] – Younkin family/ranch history and evolution
• [05:18] – Two-year-old bull spotlight and breeding philosophy
• [09:59] – Notable ‘Cashmere’ sire group
• [12:28] – ‘Dominion’ sons and maternal lineage
• [13:47] – ‘Custom Made’ sons; standout heifer bull discussion
• [15:24] – ‘Coming In Hot’ bulls and unique traits
• [16:50] – ‘Railyard’/‘Flashback’ bulls and foot structure
• [18:44] – Showcase bulls: Lots 67 & 76
• [22:47] – Heifer offering strategy and Lot 102
• [24:12] – Pick-of-three fall heifers opportunity
• [26:05] – Volume and consistency of heifer bulls offered
• [27:57] – Lot 111: Pick of the heifer crop
• [28:45] – Sale day environment and invitation
• [29:54] – GGP testing and sale broadcast info

Summary

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in the Smoky Y Ranch sale or Red Angus genetics more broadly. The conversation reflects the ranch’s practical, phenotype-first approach, the humble pride in building a rugged cowherd, and their commitment to high standards for both bulls and females. With standout lots, opportunities to select from leading heifer prospects, and a welcoming sale environment, the Smoky Y event offers unique value to both commercial producers and seedstock breeders.

For more information or to request sale materials, connect via DV Auction, Superior, or Premium Beef Genetics.