EmpowerU Podcast Summary

Episode: Surface Level Thoughts... Featuring Kaegen Jeffery

Host(s): Weston Hendrix, Luke Domingue, Quinn Hartley
Guest: Kaegen Jeffery
Date: September 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This special off-season episode of EmpowerU brings on Kaegen Jeffery, an accomplished cattleman now based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Known for his hands-on experience and mentorship across multiple cattle operations, Kaegen shares deep insights into show cattle selection, genetics, hoof care, clipping, and the invaluable relationships that shape and empower leaders in the livestock industry. Full of practical advice and personal stories, the conversation dives well below the “surface level”—exploring what truly defines great cattle, sustainable success, and meaningful community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kaegen’s Background & Journey in the Show Cattle World ([03:36])

• Origins: Raised in Sweetwater, Texas; lifelong involvement in show cattle.
• Family Influence: Both parents, stepdad, and extended family were active in showing, making cattle a “family affair” and near inevitability.
  • "It was kind of bred into me. Kind of really didn't have a choice but to do was that and play football." – Kaegen [05:36]
• Professional Moves: Recently relocated to Alvarado (south of Fort Worth); continues traveling and working independently in the show industry.

2. Mentorship & Building Relationships ([05:36], [19:10])

• Key Influencers: Names ag teachers Corey Rains and Kenneth Dudenstein, as well as Brandon Patchke, Adam and Matt Shirley, and Tony Jeffs as instrumental mentors in cattle management, showmanship, and life.
• Relationship-Building: Emphasizes the importance of being treated “like a homie" and the value of camaraderie within a team or operation.
  • "A relationship in this world means a lot to a lot of people. If you can have a good relationship and keep that afloat, good things will come out of it." – Kaegen [22:13]
• Memorable Moments: Recounts near-wins at Fort Worth and the motivation setbacks can provide to strive for further success.

3. Selecting Good vs. Great Show Calves ([09:11])

• Traits to Prioritize:
  • Soundness (“feet and legs”), rib shape, “stoutness with an elegant, awesome look,” structural correctness in motion.
  • “For me, like, when I start looking at them, I always got to see if one can move. That's the first thing that I look at.” – Kaegen [10:34]
• Evolution of Show Cattle:
  • Dramatic improvement in genetics and phenotype over last decade.
  • Inflation in prices from previous norms (~$7500 to $10,000) to today’s market reality.
  • Story: His first competitive calf was a $300 purchase from the sale barn—proving hard work & management still matter.

4. Matching Calves to Families: Early vs. Late Maturing Animals ([14:47])

• Assessment: The “best” type depends on a family’s feeding style, schedule, and attention to detail.
• Flexibility & Customization: Understanding each customer’s strengths, being adaptive in animal recommendations.
• Quote: "A family, you got to figure out what each family can do, what each family is their best at." – Kaegen [15:36]

5. Genetics & Breed Trends ([24:30])

• Exotics:
  • In God We Trust: Remains highly effective for versatility.
  • How Great: “Really turning the corner,” but selectivity is needed in matching.
• Americans:
  • Nelson from Thigpen operations highlighted as a standout for slick shearing Americans (“closest thing to a crossbred with a pecker and ears”).
  • Mention of memorable matings and bulls like Red 5319 and their progeny.
• British Breeds:
  • Herefords and Shorthorns, detailing lines like Highway 33, Easy Jet, Right On Time, and Perfection—all require selective application.
• Overarching View:
  • "If they're good, I'm in. Kind of about like anybody." – Kaegen [29:32]

6. Hoof Trimming: Best Practices and Frequency ([31:24])

• Crucial to Soundness: Bad feet, exacerbated by intensive selection for muscle and looks, can derail otherwise promising cattle.
• Recommended Cadence: Every 6–8 weeks to keep steers on a “good, square, sound surface,” though some may need every 4 weeks.
  • Memorable analogy: "You grab four or five rocks, throw them in your shoe and go walk a mile ... you may not get down the driveway." – Kaegen [32:41]
• Addressing Problems:
  • Focus on “inside toe, outside heel” trimming protocol for restoring foot balance.
  • Correction is gradual: “If you try to completely change, get one turned around the very first time ... that's when issues are going to start evolving.” [38:35]

7. Show Season Strategy: Hauling & Development ([40:33])

• Building Experience: Essential to expose young steers to shows early and often—but avoid overhauling to keep stress low.
• Optimal Balance:
  • 5–7 shows in summer, then pull back to let cattle "be cows," reducing stress and keeping freshness for majors.
  • “You got to bring them home and you got to let them be cows because that's when they're going to really do all the things that you want them to do quicker.” – Kaegen [43:28]

8. Clipping & Fitting: Kaegen’s Approach and Process ([45:59])

• Early Foundation: Began “acting like I was fitting” while breaking down cattle at a young age.
• Mentors: Adam Shirley credited with honing his attention-to-detail for “making one look complete.”
• Hands-On Learning:
  • Trained by being put “in the clipping room and told to figure it out” at Horn and Patchke’s.
  • Relishes working on varied types of hair and structural builds.
  • "If you can get where you can make one that doesn’t have a lot of hair look like it’s got a lot of hair, then the ones that got a lot of hair … that’s damn near a cakewalk.” – Kaegen [49:31]
• Personal Process:
  • Starts at the tail, moves to hip and legs, then blends upward and forward to blend top lines, shoulders, and neck for a natural flow.
  • Not all cattle are clipped the same—study strengths and weaknesses first.
  • "Every single one of them's [are] different ... One might take you an hour and a half. One might take you three days." – Kaegen [54:37]
• Philosophy: “If you want to be good at something, you got to do it a lot ... it's a lot of trial and error.” [58:24]

9. Motivation, Consistency, and What Drives Kaegen ([60:26], [65:08])

• Personal Motto: “Work equals win.” Hard work and consistency, regardless of the task, leads to results and respect.
  • “The more you put in, the more you’re going to get out of it, and the more you're passionate about, and the more drive and effort and time and everything you put in, you're going to get more out.” – Kaegen [61:02]
• On Character and Business:
  • Being truthful, on time, consistent, and authentic in relationships is “what empowers me to be better than I was before.”
  • "If I tell you I'm gonna be there at 8:30, I'm probably gonna be there at 8:15." – Kaegen [65:34]
• Helping Kids & Community: Finds fulfillment in supporting children not only with their cattle but in their lives, and believes parents “notice more than you think.”
• Spiritual Foundation: Cites John 11:25 and emphasizes the value of representing beliefs consistently in life and business.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cattle Evolution:
  “Looking back at some ... pictures that I've got of mine, I'll look back and I'm like, how the hell did I get along so good with this calf? ... [Cattle] have changed, and it's dang sure change for the better.” [13:34]

• On Trimming Feet:
  "You grab four or five rocks, throw them in your shoe and go walk a mile… you may not get down the driveway." – Kaegen [32:41]

• On Putting in the Work:
  “Work equals win…the more you put in, the more you’re going to get out.” – Kaegen [61:02]

• On Integrity in Business:
  "If you don't want to know my opinion, don't ask… I'm going to tell you straight up what I think." – Kaegen [65:53]

• Closing Spiritual Reflection:
  Bible Verse: John 11:25.
  “As long as we have faith like you were talking about, and we stay true to who we are while representing him well, I think life's going to be pretty good, but you got to maintain that as well. You can't do it and then not abide by it.” – Weston [69:07]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | Guest Introduction & Background | [03:36] | | Family & Mentorship | [05:36], [19:10] | | What Makes Great Cattle | [09:11] | | Early vs. Late Maturing Calves | [14:47] | | Genetics & Breeds Discussion | [24:30] | | Trimming Feet Importance & Techniques | [31:24], [35:51] | | Show Strategy—Hauling & Growth | [40:33] | | Clipping/Fitting Philosophy & Process | [45:59], [53:45] | | Motivation & Character | [60:26], [65:08] | | Closing Reflections & Bible Verse | [68:39] |

Takeaways

This wide-ranging discussion offers a nuanced look inside the mindset, methods, and motivations of an industry professional. Whether you’re a young showman, a fellow breeder, or simply seeking insight on how hard work translates to results in agriculture, Kaegen’s stories and advice emphasize the importance of family, learning from setbacks, being adaptive, and always building relationships on honesty and effort.

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