Martens Angus Farms 25th Anniversary Sale
Welcome back to Genetics & The Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he’s the owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Jody Marten, Owner of Martens Angus. In this episode, Jody and Gale dive into the Martens Angus Farms 25th Anniversary Sale, held on February 25th, 2026, at 1PM CST, located at the farm, Bellevue, Iowa. 
The history of this operation is deep-rooted, actually starting with his father, Leo, who raised and sold Registered Angus Cattle in Clinton County, Iowa, back in the 1950s. There was a pause, tough, as a family move led to a switch to purebred hogs. But, with the decline in the pork industry in the late 1980s, the Angus herd made its return in the early 1990s. Jody himself jumped in after graduating from Iowa State in the mid-1990s, working alongside Leo until he fully purchased the cow herd in 2001.
Discussing the Martens Angus breeding philosophy, Jody emphasizes running a purebred Angus program that functions like a commercial herd. Cattle are not pampered, and traits like disposition and birth weight remain foundational priorities. He focuses on balanced genetics, blending calving ease, growth, carcass merit, maternal value, and structural soundness, using EPDs as a guide rather than a strict target.
The sale offering includes approximately 40 18‑month‑old bulls, bred heifers, open heifers, and commercial spring‑bred heifers. Jody highlights the extra age and durability of the bulls and describes several standout lots that combine calving ease with muscle and performance. Many of the top bred and open heifers, he notes, are the kind that normally would stay in his own replacement pen, with several candidates suitable for donor status. The commercial spring‑bred heifers, bred to a strong performance bull, are purebred cattle marketed as commercial, with the option to obtain registration papers for an additional fee.
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