by
Shreene Johnson
| Dec 16, 2025
This article was written based on a podcast interview on From the Pasture with Hired Hand. You can listen to the full interview here or wherever you get your podcasts.
How Two Outstanding Longhorns Captured the Industry’s Biggest Title
Every year, the National Longhorn Futurity Ranking (NLFR) season highlights the best of the breed—animals that embody structural correctness, femininity or masculinity, athleticism, and presence. But in 2025, the championship spotlight shone especially bright thanks to two unforgettable winners: a homebred heifer named Heads, I Win, and a powerhouse bull named M7 Double Jack.
In two separate interviews on From the Pasture with Hired Hand, host Molly connected with each of their owners to explore what it takes to rise through the ranks, why these animals stood out all year long, and what breeders everywhere can learn from their success.
This combined recap brings both championship stories together—one celebrating a young breeder’s confidence in her program, and the other showcasing the power of strategic partnerships and elite genetics.
Heads, I Win: A Homebred Heifer Full of Heart and Potential
A Win Years in the Making
For breeder Danielle Mershon, the moment she heard her heifer was crowned the 2025 NLFR Champion Heifer didn’t feel real. Watching on Hired Hand Live from home, she sprinted downstairs to wake her husband—still half-asleep—just to say the words out loud: “She just won it all.”
That heifer, affectionately called Jade, was more than a show calf. She represented patience, selective pairing, and the belief that smaller breeders can rise to the top.
“It means I did something right. It proved I really do know what I’m looking for.”
—Danielle
How Jade Was Bred to Succeed
Jade is the product of an intentional AI pairing:
Danielle admired the consistency in Heads Up calves and studied the Double Barrel × Heads Up cross in futurities and sales before committing to it.
The heifer’s registered name, Heads, I Win, nods to both her sire line and the “coin toss” Danielle felt when hoping for a colorful AI heifer calf.
Why She Stood Out in the Ring
Jade didn’t dominate futurities early. In fact, her first shows placed her near the bottom. But consistency, balance, and correctness helped her bloom month after month.
“She’s not extreme in one area—she’s just complete. Feminine, balanced, and put together right.”
—Danielle
Her horn direction, slight lift, and strong backward sweep mirror her dam’s growth pattern—indicating she’ll roll out beautifully with maturity.
Preparing a Champion
Danielle emphasizes routine, mindset, and miles:
Consistent feeding (in a group setting so they learn to compete at the trough)
Regular halter work and environmental desensitizing
Timely grooming and conditioning
Strategic planning during long travel weekends
“Staying consistent with feeding and care made the biggest difference.”
A Foundation for the Future
Jade will continue showing next year and is already on track to be a cornerstone female in Danielle’s program.
“She gave me confidence. From now on, I’m only taking homebred heifers to futurities.”
This win wasn’t luck—it was years of careful genetic planning backed by belief in her own breeding program.
M7 Double Jack: The Bull With Size, Presence, and Power
A Championship Season Rooted in Partnership
For Jeffrey Wilson, hearing his bull announced as the 2025 NLFR Champion Bull was emotional, humbling, and deeply gratifying.
Double Jack’s journey was a team effort involving M7 Longhorns breeders Wayne and Joanna Manning and mentor/partner Jimmy Jones. The “Double Jack Team,” as they jokingly call themselves, saw the bull’s potential early—as a two-month-old calf standing in the pasture with the presence of a fully grown bull.
What Makes Double Jack Exceptional
Double Jack possesses all the hallmarks of a standout futurity bull:
Large frame and impressive structure
Beautiful color with blues and purples in the right lighting
A playful, confident disposition
A rear-end structure that breeders consistently praise
“He’s a behemoth of a bull—big, sound, and with a presence you can’t teach.”
—Jeffrey
Nutrition: The Turning Point
Mid-season, the team noticed the bull getting thin from heavy travel. They shifted his nutrition plan toward a higher-fat ration, which dramatically improved his body condition and consistency.
“Nutrition is the biggest key. That change paid off in a huge way.”
A Future Herd Sire in the Making
Double Jack has already been placed with a group of heifers, with his first calves expected in April. One of the most anticipated pairings is with the 2025 Points Champion Heifer, Horseshoe J Isabel.
The team is excited not only for the show results but for what he will contribute genetically across multiple herds.
Shared Wisdom From Both Champions
What Breeders Can Learn From Their 2025 NLFR Wins
1. Consistency is everything.
Success doesn’t come from one show but from staying competitive all year.
2. Don’t be afraid to start small.
Both champions came from breeders who weren’t pushing dozens of futurity animals at once.
3. Build strong breeder relationships.
Partnerships, mentorships, and shared knowledge elevate the entire breed.
4. Have confidence in your program.
Patience and critical selection pay off—sometimes in the biggest way possible.
5. Futurities help define your breeding direction.
Comparing against peers is the fastest way to refine what you’re producing.
Hired Hand’s Role in the Modern Breeding Story
Both Danielle and Jeffrey followed the NLFR leaderboard on the Huntington Sales Hired Hand Powered Website, used online pedigrees to track their animals’ competition standings, and relied on digital tools to connect with other breeders across the country.
These success stories remind us that today’s Longhorn marketing is digital first—buyers, breeders, and judges all rely on clean pedigrees, professional photos, and accessible websites.
“Hired Hand brings pedigrees, photos, and stories together in one place—it keeps the whole community connected.”
Ready to market your herd online?
Visit Hired Hand Websites to explore breeder site examples and learn how pedigree-powered websites help livestock producers tell their story and reach more buyers.