EmpowerU Podcast Summary
Episode: WD Cattle Company’s Annual Bull Sale Preview
Host: Weston Hendrix
Guest: Wyatt Durst, WD Cattle Company
Date: March 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a comprehensive preview of WD Cattle Company's upcoming Annual Bull Sale, taking place online on April 8th via CCI. Host Weston Hendrix sits down with Wyatt Durst to dig into the breeding philosophy, the story behind WD Cattle Company, and detailed breakdowns of the standout bulls in the 2026 sale. The episode aims to empower listeners—whether ranchers, operators, or customers—with first-hand knowledge of seed stock and commercial cattle selection, with an emphasis on functional and maternal traits in Red Angus and Simmental genetics.

Introduction to WD Cattle Company

[00:00–02:24]

• Weston introduces the episode as a departure from club calf previews, focusing instead on a prominent seed stock operation: WD Cattle Company, owned by Wyatt and Taylor Durst in north central Kansas.
• Wyatt shares his background: agricultural family roots, meeting his wife Taylor at Hutchinson Community College, and mutual passion for ranching and livestock judging.
• The operation is primarily commercial cow-calf, with both spring and fall herds. Key breeding goals:
  • Functional, no-holes cattle: "Making really good mama cows… that are good footed, good uttered, and can maintain flesh on low quality forage." – Wyatt Durst [00:55]
  • Emphasis on building strong maternal cow families and turning those ideals into registered bulls for the commercial sector.

Bull Sale Preview: Lot-by-Lot Insights

Lot 1: WD Stagecoach 513

[02:24–06:21]

• Background: Outcross on the top side, strong maternal heritage (2085Z dam).
• Story: Connection to Niobrara Red Angus and donor females, repeated embryo work with high success.
• Traits: "Long spine, smooth made, really dense bodied individual that's good footed, good structured and we hope to plug him in here for a long time." – Wyatt Durst [05:47]

Lots 2 & 3: WD Renewed Tool 238 and Full Brother

[06:21–09:34]

• Color & Presence: Both dark red, much sought after in Red Angus.
• Pedigree: Out of the C Bar Mimi 8134 cow, known for consistent quality and fertility; sired by Progressive 1179.
• Highlights: Functional, low birth weight, heifer-safe options with high carcass EPDs.
• Quote: "Their mother… has just produced 32 again the other day to a mating. So story is far from over with her and still producing quality stock." – Wyatt Durst [08:31]

Lot 4

[09:34–09:49]

• Withdrawn due to injury; may reappear at a future sale.

Lots 5 & 6: Full Brothers, Progressive 1179 x Lady Lola

[09:49–11:07]

• Cow family: “Lady Lola,” a Pelton-bred cow from Wyatt's grandfather’s program.
• Structure: Rugged, dimensional, heifer-safe, fleshy, good-footed bulls.
• Domain influence: Both brothers relate to the Domain line, appreciated for foot, udder, and body quality.

Lots 7 & 8: Out of C Bar Abergrace 7104

[11:07–13:21]

• Dam: Pick of Steve Myers’ open heifers; now central donor at WD.
• Sires: One by U2 Township, the other by Dominion—exploring maternal/phenotypic strengths in each.
• Functional Roles: One is bolder and cow-building, the other a heifer-safe, moderate bull.
• Notable Moment: "Her first flush after we got back… produced our high selling bull last year, WD Robust 400." – Wyatt Durst [12:12]

Lot 9: WD Complete 580

[13:21–15:52]

• Pedigree: Out of 6H cow, dam of a $90,000 female now in Texas.
• Structure and Maternal Strength: Big-footed, heavy structured, "so cowie."
• Quote: "I hope her and her half-sister… are in a lot of our pedigrees going forward." – Wyatt Durst [13:57]

Lot 10: Network 4101

[15:52–17:02]

• Genetics: Out of Mann Ranch embryo program, features unique black-face/red mix.
• Traits: High performing, stout, and structurally correct; adds pounds to commercial herds.

Lot 11: Validate 5107

[17:02–18:24]

• Sire: By Valor 270, a robust and popular bull in the program.
• Cow Family: Multiple generations owned by the Durst family.
• Performance: April-born bull with "the highest quality semen of the day."
• Quote: "Bold and stout, cool individual is lot 11." – Wyatt Durst [18:13]

Lot 12: WD Black Red Carrier

[18:24–19:45]

• Maternal line: C Bar Stoney 320L, 6H's maternal sister.
• Sire: WD Youngblood 204, used as a natural cover for a select group of heifers.
• Strengths: Heifer-safe, structurally sound, with a big future for female-making.

Lot 13: WD High Range 411

[19:45–21:11]

• Parentage: Natural calf of C Bar Abergrace 7104 x Ellingson's High Range.
• Pedigree: Black red carrier, promising blend of maternal strength and outcross genetics.
• Traits: Dense, dimensional bull with potential for high-quality, no-nonsense females.

Lots 14 & 15: Simmental-Angus Full Brothers (New Frontier & North Star)

[21:11–22:37]

• Type: 3/4 Simmental, 1/4 Angus, both by Remedy ST.
• Power & Structure: "Set the standard for just power performance… powerful but still good structured, good in their joints, good in their feet." – Wyatt Durst [21:53]
• Differences: Lot 14 longer/flashier, Lot 15 stouter/more muscular—ideal for British cow bases.

Lot 16: 3/4 Blood Simmental (On the Run 106K x GAL284)

[22:37–23:52]

• Background: Came from Taylor’s family, the Gulls; admired for structure and “wild mark.”
• Strengths: Robust, sound, ideal for use on black or red Angus cows.

Lot 17: Red Bird x On the Mark Donor

[23:52–25:04]

• Genetics: Son of a $90,000 baldy sire, dam purchased in college.
• Traits: Moderate, bold-ribbed, masculine, with “cowboy cattle” attitude; always up front in the pen.

Key Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Just trying to make females that are good footed, good uttered, and can maintain flesh on low quality forage… thrive during the good times.” – Wyatt Durst [00:55]
• “Their mother… has just produced 32 again the other day to a mating. So story is far from over with her…” – Wyatt Durst [08:31]
• “The female that you referenced… was a high seller in there to the Fisher family. I got to see her again at Cattlemen’s Congress and just does everything right.” – Wyatt Durst [15:15]
• “Set the standard for just power performance. Masculine, rugged bulls… powerful but still good structured, good in their joints, good in their feet.” – Wyatt Durst [21:53]

Closing Thoughts & Sale Details

[25:04–End]

• Wyatt emphasizes the cow families backing every bull: “Good footed, good uttered cows that do all the little things right.” [25:24]
• All bulls are semen-tested, ready to go, and available April 8th via CCI.
• Wyatt’s contact info is shared for further questions or in-depth conversations about the sale cattle and breeding philosophies.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction and philosophy: [00:00–02:24]
• Lot 1 deep dive (Stagecoach 513): [02:24–06:21]
• Lots 2 & 3 (Renewed Tool 238 and brother): [06:21–09:34]
• Lot 4 update: [09:34–09:49]
• Lots 5 & 6: [09:49–11:07]
• Lots 7 & 8: [11:07–13:21]
• Lot 9 (Complete 580): [13:21–15:52]
• Lot 10 (Network 4101): [15:52–17:02]
• Lot 11 (Validate 5107): [17:02–18:24]
• Lot 12: [18:24–19:45]
• Lot 13 (High Range 411): [19:45–21:11]
• Simmental feature (Lots 14–17): [21:11–25:04]
• Sale wrap-up/closing: [25:04–End]

Summary

This episode offers a valuable “inside the sale” look at WD Cattle Company’s best bulls, with rich backstories, maternal focus, and honest, firsthand commentary from Wyatt Durst. The deep dives into both Red Angus and Simmental genetics, coupled with discussion on pedigree, phenotype, and real-world performance, make it an essential listen for any producer wanting to level up their understanding of functional, maternal-driven bull selection. Wyatt’s pride in strong cows and balanced, productive cattle is evident throughout, empowering listeners with actionable insights for their own operations.