Welcome back to Genetics & The Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Aaron McKinney, he's the field editor for American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Randy Kessler and Tierra Kessler Duke, of Kessler Angus. In this episode, they will dive into the Kessler Angus Bull Sale, held on February 17th, 2026, at 12:30Om PST, at the ranch in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. 

Kessler Angus is a first-generation cattle ranch started with a single 4H project heifer by Randy Kessler in 1962 in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Randy sold his first bull in 1964 and has been holding an annual production sale since 2007 after years of private treaty and consignment sales.

Tierra explains that the operation is very family oriented. She works full-time on the ranch, her brother Cody splits time between the ranch and horse training, and their sister Cheyenne works as an ICU nurse in California but returns annually to help with calving. The cattle experience a range of environments: mature cows calve on dryland wheat pastures in the hills, older cows and first-calf heifers are kept closer to the ranch. This setup emphasizes functional, hardy cattle that perform under minimal pampering.

A central theme of the program is calving ease combined with performance. The Kesslers are known as a trusted source of heifer bulls that deliver the calving ease promised without sacrificing growth. They lean heavily on the Angus Pathfinder program, with over 28% of their eligible mature cow herd having earned Pathfinder status. Their cow herd is expected to “pay its way,” funding land, equipment, and overall ranch operations, with a strong emphasis on fertility, early breeding, heavy-weaning calves, and long-term functionality.

They'll close the interview by diving into the upcoming Kessler Angus Bull S ale. Tierra walks through the offering by sire group, highlighting Basin Keystone, Free Water, Deluxe, Pacific, Top Gun, Prolific, North Star, Security, Jameson, Rise Above, Safe Deposit, Lookout, Inspire, Highlander, Resilient, Duke, Kindred, and Kingdom. She details standout bulls, their EPD profiles, carcass traits, maternal strength, and notable donor cow families behind them, emphasizing both calving ease and strong growth and carcass merit.

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