EmpowerU Podcast — The Midwestern Edition... Featuring Blaine Rodgers

Host(s): Weston Hendrix and Luke Domingue
Guest: Blaine Rodgers
Release Date: November 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of EmpowerU centers on the journey, insights, and experiences of Blaine Rodgers—an influential figure in the show cattle industry. The conversation, led primarily by Weston Hendrix, delves deep into Blaine's unconventional entry into agriculture, his growth through livestock judging, foundational moments in establishing his program, and the evolving landscape of cattle breeding, particularly around donor females and promotional bulls. Blaine’s reflections offer practical wisdom for breeders, young showmen, and anyone passionate about livestock, leadership, and personal growth within the agriculture sector.

Tone: Conversational, humble, candid, and empowering.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Blaine’s Origin Story in Livestock (02:13 – 09:12)

Non-Traditional Entry:
Blaine grew up in a non-agricultural family in Atascadero, CA; his exposure to livestock started accidentally through a 4H club run by his aunt and uncle, and his initial experience showing a lamb quickly kindled a broader interest in livestock.
Quote:

“My family had nothing to do with agriculture at all... it was pretty random... my aunt and uncle... took on the responsibility of the general leaders [of the 4H club].” — Blaine [02:29]
Livestock Judging Spark:
Judging became a major identity-forming experience, leading to state and national competitions and networking opportunities with industry mentors like Clint Cummings and Al Durose.
Pivotal Support:
Blaine credits the industry for “welcoming a young, hungry kid,” which was pivotal given his steep learning curve.

College, Networking, and Building the Foundation (09:12 – 16:18)

Judging-Focused Education:
Attended Modesto Junior College and later Cal Poly, drawn by opportunities in livestock judging more than academics.
Starting His Herd:
Began with a $7,500 loan from his grandfather, buying a group of Meyer 734 daughters, which seeded his herd.
Forming Key Partnerships:
Built lasting relationships with industry peers (Nick Ryman, Luke Doris); collaborative work with Ryman’s South Dakota operation opened markets and helped Blaine place top calves in key sales and shows.

Evolution of Donor Females and the Impact of Embryo Transfer (16:22 – 21:00)

Changing Cattle Game:
The advent of widespread embryo transfer (ET) and ability to sex embryos dramatically shifted the industry, increasing selectivity and economic potential of top-end cattle while putting pressure on mid-range animals.
Quote:

“Now we can buy recip cows and swing for the fences... and make matings that only make a female or only make a male, depending on what we’re trying to achieve.” — Blaine [18:09]
Risk and Reward:
With higher financial stakes comes greater willingness to breed less functional but highly marketable show cattle via ET.

Notable Donor Cows and Key Females (22:42 – 27:00)

Mossy Oak 143:
Raised 6–7 state fair winners, including a steer that “won pretty much every jackpot show throughout the year.”
Quote:

“Kind of getting started put us on the map with those calves.” — Blaine [24:25]
Brandy (from cow 902):
A productive collaboration with Todd Fair, delivering multiple influential calves.
Transition to Midwest & Fescue Challenge:
Relocating to Missouri brought environmental setbacks due to fescue grass and its heat-stress/toxicity issues, necessitating a partial restart and focus on acclimating new generations to the local environment.

Rebuilding and Adjusting the Breeding Program (27:22 – 30:09)

Long-Term View:
Emphasizes patience, as restarting with new animals and acclimating to local Missouri conditions is a multi-year process.
Emerging Standout:
Donor “8 Over 22,” a General Yellow Jacket S4, is now proving herself as “just starting to hit her stride” after several years.

Club Calf vs. Show Pig Industry Cycle (30:09 – 31:18)

Slower Progress in Cattle:
“You only necessarily get one shot every year on one cow to find out what that mating truly looks like,” compared to faster genetics cycles in pigs.

Promotional Bulls: Strategy, Selection, and Successes (31:18 – 41:59)

Foundation in California:
Early interest in selling and marketing bulls, moving from selling to prominent breeders to spearheading bulls himself in the Midwest.
Selection Philosophy:
Heavy focus on cow families for both donors and sires:

“Whether it’s buying a donor cow or a sire, I focus a lot on the cow families first.” — Blaine [33:08]
Favorites and Market Observations:
- Chosen One: Identified through focus on maternal lines.
- Tricked Out: High expectations but challenges with industry uptake; raised major show contenders.
- Next Man Up: Newer bull—“slowly we’re finding out what he can do.”
- Recent Investment: Branching into Main Anjou genetics (One For All and son “High Road”) to diversify with outcross genetics.
Industry Challenge:
The club calf bull market is tough—limited cow numbers, reliance on flush programs, and difficulty getting widespread adoption of new sires.
Staying Power:
Recognition of how certain sires (Here I Am, In God We Trust) have had extraordinary, prolonged influence—asks, “How do we move forward as an industry and pick the next one?”

Show Steer Industry Trends and Competition (44:03 – 46:28)

Elevation of Standards:
Steer shows have become much more competitive; more elite cattle are presented, and fitters across all levels have raised the bar significantly.
Quote:

“Now... there’s so many young kids and people, the way that we’ve changed our fitting techniques... there’s so many more people that are capable to present one at a high level.” — Blaine [45:07]

The Judging Scene: Need for New Blood and Balance (46:28 – 54:08)

Judging Lineups:
Hosts and Blaine agree: the show industry needs to balance fresh talent with experienced hands in the judging ring. New judges bring hunger and perspective; the industry should not fear bringing in well-connected breeders, as ethical standards remain high.
Quote:

"We need to have more breeders and people who understand what goes into it and do it on a daily basis.” — Weston [51:07]
Promoting Positivity:
Blaine encourages empathy, understanding that judges make the best call from what’s presented, and the need to stay positive, especially given the industry’s stresses.

Most Fulfilling Moments & Personal Motivators (54:24 – 58:18)

Varied Fulfillment:
The highs range from major show wins with his kids to helping first-timers win a county fair. The emotional reactions and journey with families stand out.
Quote:

“Sometimes those littler wins mean more to those people than some of the big wins do to others.” — Blaine [55:18]
Favorite Quote:

“The only thing even in this world are the number of hours in a day. The difference in winning or losing is what you do with those hours.” — Woody Hayes, Blaine’s favorite [56:24]

What Empowers Blaine? (57:21 – 58:18)

Family as Inspiration:
Watching his kids grow and holding himself accountable for their example pushes him forward daily.
Self-Improvement:
Stresses the importance of both striving for better and finding satisfaction in daily accomplishments.

Faith, Values & Industry Reflections (58:18 – 61:14)

Bible Verse (1 Peter 5:6-7):
Reiterates grounding in faith—leaning on God’s help through stress, and noting how the stock show industry, with its opening prayers and patriotism, remains a uniquely positive place to raise families.
Quote:

“Big picture, this industry, there’s no better way to raise our kids, our families...there’s no better way for us to hold ourselves accountable by the people we’ve surrounded ourselves with.” — Blaine [60:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Starting Out:
“I was not the one that was blessed with the most athletic ability...it was pretty random, but my aunt and uncle...just took on the responsibility.” — Blaine [02:37]
Kirk Steerwalt’s Impact:

“You’re one mean underlining clipper, and I wish you lived a little closer so I could take you to the shows.” — Kirk Steerwalt to Blaine, formative early praise [08:01]
Club Calf Evolution:
“The whole game has changed...the upper end cattle are worth a lot, the middle to lower end cattle have lost their value.” — Blaine [17:35]
Mother-Cow Focus:
“Everything that I’ve tried to do...I focus a lot on the cow families first.” — Blaine [33:08]
Bull Market Challenge:
“It just takes a few of the right things to get one going, and sometimes they hit that trajectory, and sometimes they don’t.” — Blaine [35:59]
Industry’s Positive Aspects:
“You go to these stock shows and they start with pledge of allegiance...and there’s not a lot of places that do that.” — Blaine [60:23]
Personal Mantra:

“The difference in winning or losing is what you do with those hours.” — Woody Hayes (Blaine’s favorite quote) [56:24]

Important Timestamps

Blaine’s Background & Entry into Livestock — 02:13–09:12
Judging, College, and Foundations — 09:12–16:18
Evolution of Donor Cows & Embryo Transfer — 16:41–21:00
Memorable Females & Program Challenges — 22:42–27:00
Relocating to Missouri & Restarting — 27:22–30:09
Promo Bull Strategy & Industry Dynamics — 31:18–41:59
Upward Trends in Show Steer Presentation — 44:03–46:28
Judging Industry & New Blood — 46:28–54:08
Most Fulfilling Moments — 54:24–58:18
Favorite Quote & Personal Drivers — 56:14–58:18
Faith and Industry Reflections — 58:18–61:14

Summary Takeaways

Success in livestock and life hinges on long-term relationships, adaptability, and relentless work ethic.
Embryo transfer technology has transformed cattle breeding, favoring aggressive, high-reward strategies over traditional herd approaches.
Choosing sires and donors is best rooted in strong cow families.
Industry change is constant—embrace evolution, whether in breeding techniques, promotional bull markets, or the show ring.
The club calf world is both humbling and rewarding—resilience and perspective are essential.
Faith, family, and community remain key pillars in maintaining balance and integrity in the business.

For more information or to catch future episodes and updates, follow EmpowerU on social media or visit their website.

EmpowerU Podcast — The Midwestern Edition... Featuring Blaine Rodgers

Host(s): Weston Hendrix and Luke Domingue
Guest: Blaine Rodgers
Release Date: November 23, 2025

Episode Overview

Tone: Conversational, humble, candid, and empowering.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Blaine’s Origin Story in Livestock (02:13 – 09:12)

Non-Traditional Entry:
Blaine grew up in a non-agricultural family in Atascadero, CA; his exposure to livestock started accidentally through a 4H club run by his aunt and uncle, and his initial experience showing a lamb quickly kindled a broader interest in livestock.
Quote:

“My family had nothing to do with agriculture at all... it was pretty random... my aunt and uncle... took on the responsibility of the general leaders [of the 4H club].” — Blaine [02:29]
Livestock Judging Spark:
Judging became a major identity-forming experience, leading to state and national competitions and networking opportunities with industry mentors like Clint Cummings and Al Durose.
Pivotal Support:
Blaine credits the industry for “welcoming a young, hungry kid,” which was pivotal given his steep learning curve.

College, Networking, and Building the Foundation (09:12 – 16:18)

Judging-Focused Education:
Attended Modesto Junior College and later Cal Poly, drawn by opportunities in livestock judging more than academics.
Starting His Herd:
Began with a $7,500 loan from his grandfather, buying a group of Meyer 734 daughters, which seeded his herd.
Forming Key Partnerships:
Built lasting relationships with industry peers (Nick Ryman, Luke Doris); collaborative work with Ryman’s South Dakota operation opened markets and helped Blaine place top calves in key sales and shows.

Evolution of Donor Females and the Impact of Embryo Transfer (16:22 – 21:00)

Changing Cattle Game:
The advent of widespread embryo transfer (ET) and ability to sex embryos dramatically shifted the industry, increasing selectivity and economic potential of top-end cattle while putting pressure on mid-range animals.
Quote:

“Now we can buy recip cows and swing for the fences... and make matings that only make a female or only make a male, depending on what we’re trying to achieve.” — Blaine [18:09]
Risk and Reward:
With higher financial stakes comes greater willingness to breed less functional but highly marketable show cattle via ET.

Notable Donor Cows and Key Females (22:42 – 27:00)

Mossy Oak 143:
Raised 6–7 state fair winners, including a steer that “won pretty much every jackpot show throughout the year.”
Quote:

“Kind of getting started put us on the map with those calves.” — Blaine [24:25]
Brandy (from cow 902):
A productive collaboration with Todd Fair, delivering multiple influential calves.
Transition to Midwest & Fescue Challenge:
Relocating to Missouri brought environmental setbacks due to fescue grass and its heat-stress/toxicity issues, necessitating a partial restart and focus on acclimating new generations to the local environment.

Rebuilding and Adjusting the Breeding Program (27:22 – 30:09)

Long-Term View:
Emphasizes patience, as restarting with new animals and acclimating to local Missouri conditions is a multi-year process.
Emerging Standout:
Donor “8 Over 22,” a General Yellow Jacket S4, is now proving herself as “just starting to hit her stride” after several years.

Club Calf vs. Show Pig Industry Cycle (30:09 – 31:18)

Slower Progress in Cattle:
“You only necessarily get one shot every year on one cow to find out what that mating truly looks like,” compared to faster genetics cycles in pigs.

Promotional Bulls: Strategy, Selection, and Successes (31:18 – 41:59)

Foundation in California:
Early interest in selling and marketing bulls, moving from selling to prominent breeders to spearheading bulls himself in the Midwest.
Selection Philosophy:
Heavy focus on cow families for both donors and sires:

“Whether it’s buying a donor cow or a sire, I focus a lot on the cow families first.” — Blaine [33:08]
Favorites and Market Observations:
- Chosen One: Identified through focus on maternal lines.
- Tricked Out: High expectations but challenges with industry uptake; raised major show contenders.
- Next Man Up: Newer bull—“slowly we’re finding out what he can do.”
- Recent Investment: Branching into Main Anjou genetics (One For All and son “High Road”) to diversify with outcross genetics.
Industry Challenge:
The club calf bull market is tough—limited cow numbers, reliance on flush programs, and difficulty getting widespread adoption of new sires.
Staying Power:
Recognition of how certain sires (Here I Am, In God We Trust) have had extraordinary, prolonged influence—asks, “How do we move forward as an industry and pick the next one?”

Show Steer Industry Trends and Competition (44:03 – 46:28)

Elevation of Standards:
Steer shows have become much more competitive; more elite cattle are presented, and fitters across all levels have raised the bar significantly.
Quote:

“Now... there’s so many young kids and people, the way that we’ve changed our fitting techniques... there’s so many more people that are capable to present one at a high level.” — Blaine [45:07]

The Judging Scene: Need for New Blood and Balance (46:28 – 54:08)

Judging Lineups:
Hosts and Blaine agree: the show industry needs to balance fresh talent with experienced hands in the judging ring. New judges bring hunger and perspective; the industry should not fear bringing in well-connected breeders, as ethical standards remain high.
Quote:

"We need to have more breeders and people who understand what goes into it and do it on a daily basis.” — Weston [51:07]
Promoting Positivity:
Blaine encourages empathy, understanding that judges make the best call from what’s presented, and the need to stay positive, especially given the industry’s stresses.

Most Fulfilling Moments & Personal Motivators (54:24 – 58:18)

Varied Fulfillment:
The highs range from major show wins with his kids to helping first-timers win a county fair. The emotional reactions and journey with families stand out.
Quote:

“Sometimes those littler wins mean more to those people than some of the big wins do to others.” — Blaine [55:18]
Favorite Quote:

“The only thing even in this world are the number of hours in a day. The difference in winning or losing is what you do with those hours.” — Woody Hayes, Blaine’s favorite [56:24]

What Empowers Blaine? (57:21 – 58:18)

Family as Inspiration:
Watching his kids grow and holding himself accountable for their example pushes him forward daily.
Self-Improvement:
Stresses the importance of both striving for better and finding satisfaction in daily accomplishments.

Faith, Values & Industry Reflections (58:18 – 61:14)

Bible Verse (1 Peter 5:6-7):
Reiterates grounding in faith—leaning on God’s help through stress, and noting how the stock show industry, with its opening prayers and patriotism, remains a uniquely positive place to raise families.
Quote:

“Big picture, this industry, there’s no better way to raise our kids, our families...there’s no better way for us to hold ourselves accountable by the people we’ve surrounded ourselves with.” — Blaine [60:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Starting Out:
“I was not the one that was blessed with the most athletic ability...it was pretty random, but my aunt and uncle...just took on the responsibility.” — Blaine [02:37]
Kirk Steerwalt’s Impact:

“You’re one mean underlining clipper, and I wish you lived a little closer so I could take you to the shows.” — Kirk Steerwalt to Blaine, formative early praise [08:01]
Club Calf Evolution:
“The whole game has changed...the upper end cattle are worth a lot, the middle to lower end cattle have lost their value.” — Blaine [17:35]
Mother-Cow Focus:
“Everything that I’ve tried to do...I focus a lot on the cow families first.” — Blaine [33:08]
Bull Market Challenge:
“It just takes a few of the right things to get one going, and sometimes they hit that trajectory, and sometimes they don’t.” — Blaine [35:59]
Industry’s Positive Aspects:
“You go to these stock shows and they start with pledge of allegiance...and there’s not a lot of places that do that.” — Blaine [60:23]
Personal Mantra:

“The difference in winning or losing is what you do with those hours.” — Woody Hayes (Blaine’s favorite quote) [56:24]

Important Timestamps

Blaine’s Background & Entry into Livestock — 02:13–09:12
Judging, College, and Foundations — 09:12–16:18
Evolution of Donor Cows & Embryo Transfer — 16:41–21:00
Memorable Females & Program Challenges — 22:42–27:00
Relocating to Missouri & Restarting — 27:22–30:09
Promo Bull Strategy & Industry Dynamics — 31:18–41:59
Upward Trends in Show Steer Presentation — 44:03–46:28
Judging Industry & New Blood — 46:28–54:08
Most Fulfilling Moments — 54:24–58:18
Favorite Quote & Personal Drivers — 56:14–58:18
Faith and Industry Reflections — 58:18–61:14

Summary Takeaways

Success in livestock and life hinges on long-term relationships, adaptability, and relentless work ethic.
Embryo transfer technology has transformed cattle breeding, favoring aggressive, high-reward strategies over traditional herd approaches.
Choosing sires and donors is best rooted in strong cow families.
Industry change is constant—embrace evolution, whether in breeding techniques, promotional bull markets, or the show ring.
The club calf world is both humbling and rewarding—resilience and perspective are essential.
Faith, family, and community remain key pillars in maintaining balance and integrity in the business.

For more information or to catch future episodes and updates, follow EmpowerU on social media or visit their website.

The Midwestern Edition... Featuring Blaine Rodgers

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

EmpowerU Podcast — The Midwestern Edition... Featuring Blaine Rodgers

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Blaine’s Origin Story in Livestock (02:13 – 09:12)

College, Networking, and Building the Foundation (09:12 – 16:18)

Evolution of Donor Females and the Impact of Embryo Transfer (16:22 – 21:00)

Notable Donor Cows and Key Females (22:42 – 27:00)

Rebuilding and Adjusting the Breeding Program (27:22 – 30:09)

Club Calf vs. Show Pig Industry Cycle (30:09 – 31:18)

Promotional Bulls: Strategy, Selection, and Successes (31:18 – 41:59)

Show Steer Industry Trends and Competition (44:03 – 46:28)

The Judging Scene: Need for New Blood and Balance (46:28 – 54:08)

Most Fulfilling Moments & Personal Motivators (54:24 – 58:18)

What Empowers Blaine? (57:21 – 58:18)

Faith, Values & Industry Reflections (58:18 – 61:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Summary Takeaways

Summary

EmpowerU Podcast — The Midwestern Edition... Featuring Blaine Rodgers

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Blaine’s Origin Story in Livestock (02:13 – 09:12)

College, Networking, and Building the Foundation (09:12 – 16:18)

Evolution of Donor Females and the Impact of Embryo Transfer (16:22 – 21:00)

Notable Donor Cows and Key Females (22:42 – 27:00)

Rebuilding and Adjusting the Breeding Program (27:22 – 30:09)

Club Calf vs. Show Pig Industry Cycle (30:09 – 31:18)

Promotional Bulls: Strategy, Selection, and Successes (31:18 – 41:59)

Show Steer Industry Trends and Competition (44:03 – 46:28)

The Judging Scene: Need for New Blood and Balance (46:28 – 54:08)

Most Fulfilling Moments & Personal Motivators (54:24 – 58:18)

What Empowers Blaine? (57:21 – 58:18)

Faith, Values & Industry Reflections (58:18 – 61:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps

Summary Takeaways