SPEAKER_00 0:01

If you're new to our From the Pasture podcast, this is one of our special pre-sale episodes. Our regular shows feature ranch stories, breeder interviews, and cattle knowledge. But today we're focusing specifically on this weekend's Texas Longhorn sale.

Jaymie 0:16

So if you're wanting to learn more about Texas Longhorn Cattle Markets or you're a registered Texas Longhorn breeder looking to expand your herd, you'll want to tune in to today's episode.

SPEAKER_00 0:27

I'm Jamie. And I'm Molly. We're the owners of Hired Hand Software and Hired Hand Live, and we're excited to bring you a closer look at this upcoming sale. In today's episode, we'll be talking with the sale host about consignments, sale details, and what to watch for in the ring. You can view consignments at hiredhandlive.com and in most cases, visit the consigners' hired hand-powered websites to learn more. Now let's jump into this weekend's sale preview.

Jaymie 0:56

I'm here with Jason Krista, one of the sale hosts for the upcoming Butler sale, which is held in Lockhart, Texas. Jason and I will be talking about the sale details, sponsors, consigners, and of course the consignments. As we talk about the consignments, you can follow along on hiredhandlive.com. And if you want to dig deeper, take a look at the consigners' hired hand websites. Hey Jason, how's it going today?

SPEAKER_02 1:17

Well, pretty good. How are you doing?

Jaymie 1:19

I'm doing pretty good. Pretty good. Well, can you, for those people that do not know you, can you introduce yourselves and let us know how you got started in longhorns, how long you've had longhorns, and how you got associated with the Butler Breed?

SPEAKER_02 1:31

Sure. Uh I so I'm Jason Christa. I uh own and run Krista Cattle Company since 2002 with my dad, Lewis. Um, now with my wife Rebecca and our two daughters, Ava Grace, and Anna. Um I work a full-time job as a project manager in San Antonio. Uh Rebecca is a first grade teacher in Carn City, Texas, where Ava Grace attends school for pre-K. And then uh Anna is just perfecting the art of walking at this point. Um, she's a little over one now. Um so yeah, we've been raising Longhorns since 2002. Got into the Butler. We stumbled across the Butler sale 2004, I think was the first one we attended. Um just started reading about the history, digging into any kind of magazine that we could um get our hands on, whether it's the old journals, the old trails, um, and just learning about that history kind of just drew us in further and developed friendships within it. And, you know, the rest is kind of history, and here we are at year 29 um at the Butler sale. So yeah, looking forward to it.

Jaymie 2:46

Well, you mentioned the history of the Butler breed. Can you give us a brief history?

SPEAKER_02 2:51

Yeah, so uh this sale, it's pretty unique. Um, it's the only only one really that I know that just offers consignments just from that one bloodline. Um, you know, Millby Butler was one of the original seven families that saved the Longhorns. Um, you know, it was through the dedication of breeders past him that you know we even still have the Butler line going um to this day here in 2026. Um you know, a lot of a lot of the breeders now, I mean, have utilized Butler uh bloodline in their herds. Um, you know, like El Coyote, Bob Loomis, um, Red McCombs, the Bullens, Johnny Hoffman, uh, Johnny Christy Randolph, they did for you know years. Um, that's just to name a few of them. Um, most cattle will trace back to a butler, you know, the butler bloodline at some point. Uh, you know, butler cattle have participated and won many awards um through various different kinds of shows, whether it be the world show, the porn showcase, futurities. Um, and then our sale hosts, which is Michael and Casso, um they were both inducted into the TLBA Hall of Fame, which was a huge honor. And um, you know, we're all just thrilled for both of them, and deservingly so that they're there. Um, so for a lot more history, we have a um a website dedicated just to the butler cattle. Um it's www.uh butlertexaslonghorns.com. You can find you know all sorts of articles written throughout the years. Um, it's a huge database of all straight butler cattle. So uh you can search that database and gain access to see, you know, butler cattle throughout the years, all the way from the beginning. Um and then, you know, if you can want to make a trip, there's a Butler Museum in Kima, Texas, which is dedicated to the Butler family. But I mean, you'll see probably the biggest collection of longhorn skulls that you've ever seen. And um they've got tons of shoulder mounts. It's really cool. Looks like a herd of longhorns coming right at you. So um, yeah, I mean, it's just like a brief history, but you know, visit that website and you can learn a lot more about it or come out to the sale and people will talk to you.

Jaymie 5:16

Well, you mentioned uh Caso and Michael. Are there is there anybody else that's part of the um putting on the sale that you want to make sure we mention and talk about as well?

SPEAKER_02 5:26

Sure. Um, you know, Caso and Michael, they are the sale hosts. So, you know, they started this back in 1998 and still host it to this day. Um, Kim Ritchie wears a lot of hats in this sale, whether it be for the donated items, which we'll get into here in a little while. Um, and then you know, Bill Crozier was a great help this year. He stepped up to uh help me with the catalog and uh gather consignments and you know help me remind folks, you know, hey, we need to get this in, it's due, and stuff like that. So um, you know, those are a few. Uh Joel Limley um and Shirley Limley. Um they've been doing the auction. I want to say 2009, if I went back correctly. I think 2009 was his first one, and he took over for uh Eddie Wood. So he's really only the second auctioneer in 29 years.

SPEAKER_03 6:19

So we're lucky to have him too.

Jaymie 6:24

Well, should we get into the schedule of events for the weekend? What tell us what happens on Friday?

SPEAKER_02 6:30

So Friday is just pretty pretty basic day. Um, all the cattle start arriving, you know, probably about morning time. And I'd probably say about mid-afternoon, you know, most are in, if not all, um, already back in. And a lot of people just kind of use that just to catch up and visit, you know, everyone's traveling from all over the place, and it's it's a nice time just to calm down and catch up with your friends you haven't seen in in a while, and um listen to what they're you know, what what their consignments are and swap stories. So it's just kind of a you know, get together and a good time to catch up and go out some dinner and just you know enjoy each other.

Jaymie 7:15

So that's Friday. Um what about Saturday?

SPEAKER_02 7:19

So Saturday is a big day. Um, you know, cattle viewing starts in the morning. Um, someone's usually out there, you know, relatively early. Um I I probably wouldn't go out there at 5 a.m. or anything like that, but you know, if if there's daylight, there's probably someone out there if you're really interested in looking at cattle. Um and then after that, um you know, we do lunch around 11 a.m., I believe is when they start serving. There's gonna be a um a barbecue lunch for everybody. Um it's a you know, that's really the time they really want to clear the alleyways of of looking at the cattle. So go eat some lunch, they can start staging the the you know, the sale order and everything like that. Um then after lunch, the sale begins right at 12 o'clock. Um, you know, you've been to our sale a couple times, you know, you we have the donated items which you know help um take out some of the costs associated with putting on a sale. So, you know, we have um donated items from you know consigners, you know, people that are just butler, you know, enthusiasts, and really anyone that's just come to the sale. And this donated out section of the sale is really important to you know help keep the drinks free when next people show up, uh the barbecue lunch, um, you know, helps for the sale barn. Everything associated with the sale, it goes right back into the sale. So we're really proud of it and we're excited about um the offering we have this year from all from all the people. You know, about the usually takes about 30 minutes or so. And then you know about 1230, we'll start selling some cows. And um, you know, that's when you know the business starts, right?

Jaymie 9:00

Well, we should mention you mentioned Lonesome Pines earlier. So we should also mention that you all are dedicating this year's sale specifically to John Randolph, who recently passed away, which is a nice touch. Nice that you guys did that.

SPEAKER_02 9:14

Yeah, yeah, we look we love John and you know, really miss him.

Jaymie 9:17

Yeah, of course. Uh if somebody has questions sale day, who should they contact?

SPEAKER_02 9:23

Um, so there's contacts in the catalog. Um, you know, one of the sale hosts is probably going to be used better, Shirley Limley. Um, you know, they can answer any of the questions. Um, I'm available. I I don't know how much of a help I can be, but I'll do what I can or I'll at least find the answer. Um, but you know, the sale host is is where you someone should go. Either Casso, Michael, or you know, even Shirley.

Jaymie 9:48

And you mentioned earlier that Joel is the auctioneer. Who do are you having for the pedigree reader?

SPEAKER_02 9:53

Casso will read the pedigrees. Um, I think he's done it all but one year. So yeah. And he's a wealth of knowledge, so it's it's great having him up there.

Jaymie 10:03

And do you have any dedicated haulers that people are people who have said ahead of time that they're willing to haul?

SPEAKER_02 10:08

Yes, we have um Johnny Hicks um will be there and offered to haul. Um, I guess for folks up north or going north. Uh, Michael Bennett, he's up north north Texas area. And then um we have a new one called Aces and Eights Livestock Solutions. Their number's included in the catalog as well. And I believe it's on your website. Um, so yeah, just gonna, you know, I just encourage anyone that could potentially buy or anything, let's go ahead and get with those haulers ahead of time and you know, make sure that you know they're available for your location and at least you know, pre-plan.

Jaymie 10:46

And for those people that do tune in online, um if there's anybody there sale day outside of these uh three, uh, I'll be sure to, you know, message it out to everybody that other there's other people available to if you know if there happens to be.

SPEAKER_02 11:00

Yeah, yeah, that'd be great.

Jaymie 11:02

And who typically does the cattle handling in the in the back or the back crew?

SPEAKER_02 11:07

So it's a crew, um Michael McLeod and his brother Mac. Um, you know, they run kind of the ringmen inside. Um, and then it's their crew out back. Um a lot of times it was uh Michael's daughter Michaela was was one of them back there doing that. But they they've had a crew out there for well, it's gonna be all 29 years now. So it's they do a great job with it and they've done it every year. They got a system down, they know how to work this cell barn. So yeah.

Jaymie 11:37

Well, let's talk about the consigners. If I counted correctly, I think there's roughly 26 consigners. Is there anybody brand new to the butler sale this year that's consigned?

SPEAKER_02 11:47

Yeah, um, there is. Uh we have Katherine Ritter, who's a first-time consigner, um, longtime supporter. Um, been to many sales. Um, this is their first year to consign. Diane Galbatz, uh, I do apologize if I'm saying the last name incorrectly, but um, this is their first time to consign. Um, I believe they were first-time buyers last year, so exciting times for them. Mark Christensen, Mark and Crystal Christensen, long, long time consigner or participants in the sale, but this is their first time actually consigning to the sale. So we're excited to have them come be a part of it. So yeah, we got a few new ones.

Jaymie 12:27

Well, should we talk about the consignments? I think that's probably why most people tuned in is to hear what you have to say about the consignments.

SPEAKER_02 12:33

Gosh, okay, yeah.

Jaymie 12:35

All right. So we'll start with do you have any scratches that we should make people aware of?

SPEAKER_02 12:39

I yeah, we do. Uh we have one, and it is lot number 46, is has been a scratch. Uh, that's the only one so far, and uh is no subs to this point.

Jaymie 12:53

No subs. Okay, perfect. Um, and the other thing before we get started with catalog roulette, I know you can't wait to to do that, but the one thing I want to talk about beforehand is in the sale catalog, you have, I think there's four different lots that have A-B lots. Can you explain to people how those will be handled during the sale?

SPEAKER_02 13:12

Mm-hmm. So we offer um cattle that are like roughly a year old. So being 2026, anything born in 2025 um or earlier this year, uh, we offer them as a pen of two. Um being that they're younger and stuff, it's a way to offer one lot for two animals. They get sold separately. Um they're basically their own consignment, but they share they share a lot number. So it's not a buyer's choice. It's uh you know, not a seller's gonna pick one, but it's you know, both lots will sell as separate consignments. It's just uh it's just what something we offer the consigners something to um, you know, you kind of get double your money on that as far as what you're getting. But you know, it's only gonna be for your yearlings.

Jaymie 14:04

Well, are you ready for catalog roulette?

SPEAKER_02 14:06

Let's give it a shot.

Jaymie 14:07

Okay. Um, so I'm gonna just randomly pick animals out of the catalog, and then you tell us, I guess, what you know about those animals.

SPEAKER_03 14:16

Okay.

Jaymie 14:16

Let's go ahead and we'll start with lot one, Jackie Lynn 4518 from Michael McLeod.

SPEAKER_02 14:22

Yeah, so uh I think it's a great one to start to sell. Um, nice pear. Um has a half for calf its side, which that's always exciting. People are always looking for that. Um yeah, you can see the color that she's got. You can see um I really like the swooping horn. Um, like her horns that kind of swoop forward. I I think that's kind of nice. And then um if you want to see the the reference photo of lot 53, that's gonna be the sire of the calf inside. So you get an idea too of you know what that sire is gonna look like for that calf. So yeah, really good one to start the sale.

Jaymie 15:00

The next one is from Robert and Kim Ritchie, lot seven, Alina BR3.

SPEAKER_02 15:07

Yeah, um, I think she's really nice. Um, you know, nice flat lateral horn. Um, you know, the Richies, they consistently bring some of the top animals to our sale. Um you know, you can just take a look at her sire's dam in the reference photo. Um, you know, her dam, it's a maternal half-sister to Trinity, um, who produced a lot of high sellers into the sale. So um, you know, she comes exposed to Arlo, who's a Parker Brown bull out of uh the Richie's biggest horn cow on their place.

SPEAKER_03 15:40

So, you know, it's pretty interesting.

Jaymie 15:44

Next up is lot, let's see here, let's do lot 12 from Stan and Sandy Tidwell, FC Scent of Roses.

SPEAKER_02 15:54

Yeah, so Tidwell's great program. Um, longtime supporters from them. Um this this heifer's damn was one of the high sellers years past. I don't remember what year, um, but she was a high seller, and then um, you know, her granddam was also a high seller at the 10th anniversary sale, so kind of full circle moment, really, for this one. Um, her sire kind of you know comes from Dr. Anderson's program and um is also the sire of like the biggest horn butler bull that I've read about um that David Roberts is using with uh Dr. Anderson.

SPEAKER_03 16:28

So she's exposed to black powder, and you can see him as reference photo on lot 14.

Jaymie 16:37

Next is lot 18. LAR Louisiana Star from the Ketty Sellers Partnership.

SPEAKER_02 16:45

Yeah, this is a special offering from them. Um you know her sire is has done great for the Ketty Sellers or um a lot of folks. Nice Brendel Bull, uh flat horn out of Trinity, um, who's made an impact in Butler World for sure. Um but it's really her maternal line. Uh her dam comes from Darkstar BR3, um, which a lot of folks probably recognize. Um, you know, if you've heard of Darkstar Checks or Farlap Checks, um, you know Darkstar BR3 uh because that's their dam. Um so you know you get to you get to add those genetics in a young heifer. Um, you know, I think she's what two. So a two-year-old um, you know, had those genetics that close in. That's pretty, pretty special.

SPEAKER_03 17:30

And you know, he's bringing them there non-exposed and you know, ready for whatever you want to do with her.

Jaymie 17:38

Well, Michael Bennett's lot 21, MB Blondie June is the next one.

SPEAKER_02 17:44

Yeah, I I like the yellow color. Um, that always catches my eye. I'm a sucker for those. So I I really liked her when I saw her. Um, you know, her sire is is top producer for Michael. Um, you know, he he believes in him. Um I believe he owns them in partnership with uh Brendan Potts and Michael McLeod as well. So um, you know, pretty good herd for that bull to be on. So um you can tell, you know, this one's gonna be pretty special too. Um you can see the sire as a reference photo. I mean, this is exposed to a nice black and white bull uh named Tin Bears, and his reference photo is on lot 34, so you can kind of take a look at him as well.

Jaymie 19:15

Let me scroll a little bit more here. Um let's do lot 29 from Mike and Elisa Carter. Ophelia is their lot's name.

SPEAKER_02 19:26

Yeah, um, so she's uh she comes from Terry Moore's herd. Um I mean, Terry was with us for many years, I think from the beginning. I think it was here from '98. Um, you know, got into some health problems. So we're, you know, obviously thinking of Terry as well, and wish he was still able to come out to the sale, but uh, this comes from his herd, and the Carters have been you know great supporters of our sale. Um, I think this is their second year consigning. Um, and she's nice. Um you know, you look in her pedigree, it's it's straight Ace Cattle Company um breeding, which is you know an integral part of getting this whole thing started back in '98. Um you know, time tested genetics. They got her bread to a solid Brindle Bull Um from Michael McLeod's program.

SPEAKER_03 20:15

So pretty good package here.

Jaymie 20:21

Well, let's go to Ben and Shellis Terman, their lot, which is number 33, Jackie Lynn, 4168.

SPEAKER_02 20:29

Yeah, the Termans, uh, longtime supporters. Um, her sire, um, you know, is the dynamite bull who is uh one of Michael McLeod's top bulls for many years. Um, you know, built a foundation herd for him. Um, you'll see a lot of his daughters still in his herd. So pretty special to get one here in the sale to offer everybody. Um, you know, these genetics would work for a lot of herds and within the butler world or even outside of it as an outcross, you know, outcross genetics. Um, you know, she's got these nice, you know, symmetrical horns. At least in the photo, they look like that, um, and color to burn. Um, and got her bred to a nice Trinity Sun, who you can see in the reference photo there.

SPEAKER_03 21:14

So nice consignment from the terms.

Jaymie 21:18

Lot 37 is next. BMP Whitney Lee from Rio Vista Ranch.

SPEAKER_02 21:24

Yeah. Um, Elmer Susan Rosenberger in here. Um, many, many sales, and huge helps for the sale, too. Uh both of them participated a lot within the website, and Susan helped a lot with the catalog for many years. Um, so it's you know great to have them around and consigning and bringing this nice Wrangler Checks daughter uh to the sale. Um, you know, he was a son of the great VJ Tommy that Bob Loomis owned all the Mereza The Webs bred him, Dickinson ended up with them, and then Loomis, Loomis had them. So, you know, great, great breeders that were using that bull. Um, and then you know, Wrangler Checks ended up at the Potz's, and anyways, that's how we got Whitney Lee here. Um, but I want to talk about her maternal side being out of that George W line, which was uh very influential within the butler or um previous Butler sales, and you can you we're now starting to see you know the granddaughters come through the sale and the great granddaughters and seeing those genetics keep going.

SPEAKER_03 22:24

Um and they got her buried to a a nice Brindle Bull um owned by the McLeods and myself.

Jaymie 22:31

So we'll go back to the Queso uh and Paul Sellers partnership for lot forty two, TC cool queenie.

SPEAKER_02 22:44

Yeah, ton of horn on this one. Nice lateral horn out there and a lot of color. Really nice one they put in here. Her sire, you know, first thing that jumps off is, you know, he was the top-selling bull ever at our sale. I mean, I think he sold for like $10,000 as a two-year-old bull. And you know, he and you know, he he he he has the production now to back it up. And I mean, as you can tell by this cow here, um, you know, he did a great job with it. Um her dam comes from you know the Harrels ranch. Um, you know, the Harrels used to uh run a butler herd as well, and you know, this is one of those cows off of that. So um nicely bred here. Uh they got her bred to a Trinity Son out of a George W. daughter. We can kind of go back to that George W. line, you'll you know, continuously see it.

SPEAKER_03 23:34

So a really nice package here.

Jaymie 23:40

The next one is from Jeff and Christy Ging, uh lot 47. JKG Miss Stella Rose.

SPEAKER_02 23:48

Yeah, yeah. Dark, dark Brindle. Um, really like her, and her horn just stick out too because they're light next to that dark Brindle coat. Um sire's in the reference photo, and he's he's a fantastic sire. Um, he's a son of um the Kulik bull, who was the top-selling bull at the sale, and um his mom is the I think the highest selling cow at the sale ever through the years. So a lot of good lines, a lot of good genetics here. Um her maternal line goes back to that rang with checks, and um the really, really nice Guinevere cow. Um, and you know, she's got a nice bull, you know, she's got a bull calf inside, so you're getting a pair here, and um they got her exposed back to um nice young bull they have. You can see his reference photo on lot nine. Um, but really, really nice package for him.

Jaymie 24:44

And the last one we'll do today is lot 60 from um Robert and Kim Richie.

SPEAKER_02 24:50

Yeah, um real nice parrier to end the sale. Um, you know, good genetics. Again, you know, the Richie's they they bring good stuff to the sale. Um, it's it's highly sought after, and I don't think this one's gonna be any different. Um, so everyone's gonna have to stay for the end and um have their chance to get her. Um she has a lot of the foundation breeding that the Richie's built their herd around. Um, so you you know, here's a good chance to add that to yours. Plus, she sells with a bull calf at side. Nice big Brindle calf out of TC Lex. And he's a reference photo in 59. You can see him. So, and they got him exposed back the same way. So, you know, possible three and one here to end the sale.

Jaymie 25:36

After the sale, are people um allowed to load out, or do you uh what time and what time do they need to be out on Sunday?

SPEAKER_02 25:44

Yeah, um, they can. Um, you know, there'll be you know five, ten minute break in between. Let the guys grab a cup of water and get all their bearings straight. But um, yeah, you can you can load out after the sale. Um, and then you know, if you if you choose to wait till Sunday, um we just ask that um everyone can we're gonna try to have the barn empty by noon. I believe that's when we need to be out. Um, so just plan accordingly.

SPEAKER_03 26:08

Um you know, like I said, right after the sale, I don't think it gets dark till late, but they'll get you loaded out or um most folks I think wait till Sunday.

SPEAKER_02 26:22

So if you wait till Sunday, let's just just plan on being out of there before noon and you should be okay. And obviously you can talk to Michael McLeod if you if you have any questions or any special requirements or anything. He can help you out.

Jaymie 26:35

Is there anything that you would like to mention that we have not talked about already?

SPEAKER_02 26:39

Um, well, I mean, really, it's just kind of you know, I want to invite everybody uh to come out to the sale. Um it it's it it truly is a it's a special sale. It's been going on for a while. It goes back to you know the foundation cattle that you know saved the longhorns in the you know in the past originally. Um you know, Lockhart's a nice central location for folks. It's a holiday weekend, so you don't got to rush home on Sunday. Um, you know, the the people are great, the cattle are great, the food's great. Yeah, it's just a great environment. So, you know, truly we just invite everyone, anyone that wants to, you know, come learn about the butler breed a little more or just talk to some nice people. It it's a good place. So we just invite everyone there. Um, you know, take uh really want to thank y'all, uh higher hand for you know what y'all done for our sale. Um it's been huge benefit to us to have uh the online bidding and uh the broadcasting of it and doing stuff like this has just been a great promotion for it. So, you know, thank y'all too. Um, but yeah, it's about it.

Jaymie 27:49

Well, thanks for inviting us to come down and enjoying the weekend.

SPEAKER_03 27:53

Yeah, absolutely.

Jaymie 27:55

Well, and thanks again for joining us here on the podcast. Uh, for those listening, make sure you check out the Butler Sale consignment ahead of sale day and follow us for more updates. Until next time.