EmpowerU Podcast - Episode Summary

Podcast: EmpowerU
Hosts: Weston Hendrix & Luke Domingue
Date: October 8, 2025
Episode: Weis Cattle Female Sale Preview
Guest: Willie Weis (Weis Cattle)
Topic: In-depth preview and discussion of the Weis Cattle 5th annual online multi-breed heifer sale, with detailed insights into standout lots, cow families, and breeding philosophies.

Episode Overview

This episode offers a comprehensive preview of the upcoming Weis Cattle Female Sale, scheduled for October 12th on SC Online Sales. Featuring guest Willie Weis, the conversation delivers a deep dive into the genetics, background, and unique traits of sale heifers and embryos spanning several breeds (Angus, Simmental, Lim-Flex, Charolais, Shorthorn, Maintainer, Main-Anjou, and more). Listeners not only get a guided walk-through of standout lots but also benefit from Willie's personal stories behind key cow families, discussion of breeding strategies, and transparent insights into sale logistics.

Tone: Friendly, knowledgeable, genuine enthusiasm for cattle breeding and improvement.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Evolution & Rationale Behind Weis Cattle’s Online Sale

[00:00–05:05]

• Why move from private treaty to online sales?

  • Original approach was private treaty with a select group of families.
  • Realized limiting access hindered growth and industry reach.
  • Decision to open sales online (SC Online Sales) created equal opportunity for anyone to purchase quality cattle.
  • Online sales have the benefit of much broader visibility – “more eyes than private treaty.”
  • Willie Weis: “We do a pretty average job a lot of times of promoting our cattle… but this is a good way to go through and tell everybody about them.” [01:34]

• Key Sale Support People

  • SC Online Sales rep: Bodhi Schliff.
  • Innovation Ag provides additional live auction and logistics support: Graham Blake, Jared Shipman, Tim Anderson.
  • The hybrid approach: Online platform with traditional sale consultants offers optimal marketing.

2. Featured Cow Families & Heifer Lots – Highlights & Notable Genetics

[05:05–19:40]

Angus Highlights

• Cruisy 9271 Cow Family

  • Foundation for first lots (1-5).
  • Noted for consistency, maternal strength, and show-winning offspring.
  • Reference: Sloan Curtin’s Reserve Overall at Iowa Beef Expo (2023).
  • Remark: “The cow just is as consistent as they come… she doesn’t miss.” [07:04]
  • Lots 1–4 feature both “New Heights” and “24 Karat” sired heifers—differences in build and style detailed.

• Queen Ruth ‘Becky’ Cow (Lot 8)

  • Known for adding “extra substance, extra power”—highly valued both for show and production.

• Aggressive Angus Breeding

  • Goal: Add “more punch and power,” particularly to Angus, without sacrificing structure or balance [09:36].
  • Quote: “We’ve been trying to dense them up… Can we get a little extra bone? Can we get a little extra power and substance?” [09:36]

Unique Individuals

• Lot 9: 24 Karat x Blackbird, “bred in the purple” (winning lineage, predictability).
• Lots 10–12: Cruella cow—show performance and outcross genetics for added stoutness.

Other Breeds – Sample Highlights

Charolais (Lots 15–16)

• Lot 15: Out of a former multiple-time champion show cow. Sired by “Elevate.”
• Lot 16: From Tim Schaefer; unique for “soft, nice hair” and structure. “Sometimes blowing on Charlies is not the most fun... but not the Outliers. They're soft and nice.” [15:30]

Lim-Flex (Lot 18)

• Purchased from Washington; strong maternal story and show potential.

Main-Anjou (19–22)

• Emphasis on maintaining diversity and breed identity.
• Lot 20: Full sister to “Devil You Know”—sale highlights unique pieces and triple-clean status (free of genetic defects).
• “Diversity is good... probably challenge [the buyer] to try a little bit of everything with her.” [24:12]

Maintainers (26–30)

• “Always try to have some diversity… want them all to look a little different so any family can find one they like.”
• Remark on RJ Ladykiller/Harrietta cow: Will be “one of those cows someday that is not going to fit through the chute.” [32:47]

Shorthorn & Shorthorn Plus (31–32)

• Emphasis on foot size, structure, and “maternal rib cage.”
• Noted shift in breed type: “When I was in college… show horns did not look like this. They were kind of tall...” [39:00]

Simmental Division (33–55)

• Running commentary on Miss Victoria 6H and her influence—“hits the ground running as a donor.”
• Several references to progeny excelling at national shows.
• Lot 38: “This is my girl right here... When you get up in the morning, you go and make sure she’s doing okay.” [44:17]
• Notable modern bulls: Trust Fund, Remedy, Coping with Destiny, Living the Dream.

3. Breeding Philosophies, Cow Families, and Unique Stories

[Throughout; highlights at 17:51, 35:00, 44:17, etc.]

• Clear focus on building programs around strong cow families.
  • Willie: “I’m a big believer that the cow can only do so much, and at some point in time the cow family has to kick in and carry the way.” [67:23]
• Multiple stories about sourcing cows through relationships, judging events, or longstanding connections.
• Theme: Cattle should excel in the show ring but equally be functional, productive cows for the next owner.
• Consistent emphasis on foot, structure, hair quality, and longevity.
• Color and uniqueness valued (“Red is unique”—[17:04]).

4. Embryo & Semen Lots

[63:03–65:10]

• Range of embryos offered to replicate proven matings.
• Select semen lots on main herd sires (All Me, Only One, The Devil You Know).
• Early results on “Devil You Know” progeny—positive for width, punch, and softness.

5. Sale Logistics, Contact & Final Thoughts

[66:39–End]

• Sale is October 12th on SC Online Sales.
• Contact: Willie Weis or Bodhi Schliff for questions/further information.

Host Endorsement:

• Weston Hendrix: “I wouldn’t host a sale preview if I didn’t support the breeder, what they do, or what they strive to offer to the public... Weis has literally made a stamp in the heifer industry because there’s probably one in there for you.” [65:33, 66:39]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Online Selling & Openness
  Willie Weis: “We needed to allow anybody that wanted to do business with us a chance to buy our calves.” [03:12]

• On Strong Cow Families
  Willie Weis: “That cow just is as consistent as they come… she doesn’t miss.” [07:04]

• On New Breeding Trends
  Willie Weis: “Used to like them… pretty flat and refined… Now it’s like can we get a little extra bone? Can we get a little extra power?” [09:36]

• On Diversity & Versatility
  Willie Weis: “Don’t just want different breeds, but within those breeds I want them all to look a little different. So no matter what kind of cattle you like, you can find at least one to get hooked up on.” [31:21]

• Personal Favorite
  Willie Weis: “This is my girl right here. This is the one you go check twice in the morning.” [44:17]

• Future Direction
  Willie Weis: “The cow family has to kick in and kind of carry the way. So appreciate you guys having me on.” [67:23]

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|------------| | Introduction & Sale Background | 00:00–04:48| | Deep Dive: Angus Highlights | 05:08–12:29| | Other Breeds Overview (Charolais, LimFlex) | 13:38–19:32| | Main-Anjou and Maintainers | 19:40–36:27| | Shorthorn & Shorthorn Plus | 37:31–40:05| | Simmental Division Deep Dive | 40:13–62:15| | Embryo & Semen Lots | 63:03–65:10| | Sale Info & Closing Remarks | 65:33–67:54|

Takeaway for Listeners

This episode is a comprehensive, energetic, and highly informative walk-through of the Weis sale offering. Even listeners without a heifer or bull on their shopping list will come away with valuable knowledge about genetics, types, breeding philosophies, and the modern, multi-breed approach to building cattle herds for show and production. If you’re invested in cattle—either as a customer, student, or enthusiast—there’s plenty of actionable, candid wisdom here.

Sale Date: October 12, 2025
Platform: SC Online Sales
Contact: Willie Weis or Bodhi Schliff for in-depth questions or specific lot inquiries.