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There are some pasture chats or bull sale discussions that are just too good to keep to ourselves. In this Angus Journal podcast, we’ll bring you interesting and entertaining chats with fellow breeders, researchers, marketers and more. Keep up on all things Angus. Be part of the conversation.
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Red meat yield has always mattered to the beef industry, but there have only been mediocre tools available to quantify it. This episode covers the surprising history of the subjective measurement before switching to new technology that could completely modernize the system for the better. Every breeder knows the way to drive directional change is to first start with good data, and that’s the goal of a group of ranchers, feeders, packers and academia who are all working together to tackle this...
The cattle feeding business has not been a smooth ride throughout the years, but Joe Morgan and now his son, Grant, have found ways to ride the waves by putting the needs of their customers first. This episode covers more than four decades of cattle feeding history — the high interest rates of the ’80s, the poor beef demand of the ’90s, and so on. At every junction, Poky Feeders had “page turning” events that allowed them to survive and grow. They'll tell you what they need most from Angus br...
As the breed continues to make progress, the American Angus Association Board of Directors meets quarterly to provide direction on projects that will keep the Angus breed on top. This episode covered a lot of ground, including these topics: Ongoing research in Angus Genetics Inc., from validation studies to ongoing bovine congestive heart failure (BCHF) work Crafting a data recognition program Improvements to the GeneMax® test for commercial Angus females AngusLink℠ su...
When Lorna Marshall, Cody Sankey or Don Trimmer hit the road for the bull studs they represent, they’re out to acquire the next great genetic package for their customers. How do they choose? How do they compete with each other and remain friends? What happens next after they’ve made a significant investment? This episode covers all of that, along with their take on the beef-on-diary trend, future challenges to their business model and what could be game changers in the future. HOSTS: Miranda ...
As COVID-19-related cancellations mounted in 2020, it was clear exhibitors wanted a place to show and cattlemen needed a place to sell. In the state of Oklahoma, breeders got busy working their connections, and soon Cattlemen’s Congress was born. Now in its fourth year, the event featured record numbers and record-high sale averages this January. It has become a place of camaraderie, celebration, commerce and competition. This episode gathers three individuals who were there for the be...
Wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornados – when natural disasters hit cattle country, it hurts. Lives and livelihoods are changed, sometimes in mere seconds. Today’s guests, Callie Carson of Laurel Springs, N.C., and Steve Herbst, Salmon, Idaho, talk about the hope that exists in those spaces. From everybody saddling up horses to evacuate ahead of a fire to the donations that poured in after Hurricane Helene, this episode covers some of the similar threads in stories across the United States. ...
Starting out in the Angus industry wasn’t easy in the 1980s and 1990s, but as the old adage goes: where there is a will, there is a way. Doug Schroeder, of Clarence, Iowa, and Charlie Boyd, of Mays Lick, Ky., talk about the beginnings of their businesses and the opposite end of that continuum, transitioning to the next generation. They cover the tough decisions they had to make while serving on the American Angus Association Board of Directors and the progressiveness of those before them. Thi...
Industry consultant Nevil Speer helps illustrate the story of the transformation of the nation’s cowherd during the last decade or so, and Oklahoma producer Jimmy Taylor shares his personal example. Rising to meet consumer expectations has been a self-fulfilling prophecy, where better beef begets more demand, but there are other considerations. Can you have the carcass and the cow? How have novel genetic tools allowed for a much faster pace of progress? What’s on the horizon? Answers to...
It’s not always glamorous but if there’s a will to return home to the ranch, there’s a way. In this episode, the American Angus Association’s two Young Breeder of the Year honorees share their path back to generational Angus operations. They suggest there’s more opportunity for young people than ever before and share the opportunities they’ve capitalized on as they’ve come. “There are people looking for somebody to step up. It’s going to be work and it could be very dirty work, but ...
A judging team romance led to a lifetime of breeding cattle together. That’s Chris and Sharee Sankey’s story in a nutshell. The pair came with cattle roots, but made their own way when a lease opportunity came up outside of Council Grove, Kan. There’s no way to put a price tag on the memories made during all the miles traveled to cattle shows, but the couple says that helped them grow their kids and their cow herd both. They now meet their adult children and their families at the same locatio...
Focusing on the future and creating the tools that help produce high-quality bulls for the beef industry – that's the message from the cattle feeding segment back to Angus breeders in this episode. A feeder’s top priorities are cattle that stay healthy, get big, marble well and use resources efficiently, and if cattlemen send those kind of raw materials, this episode’s guests pledge to make the most of them. If today's cattle are “high-performance athletes,” hear directly from those who are t...
Angus breeders only stay in business if their customers do, too. Joe and Lake Elliott, of Robert Elliott & Sons Angus near Adams, Tenn., make selection decisions with that end in mind. Their rules of management include one-line statements like, “No bad genes in = no bad genes out” and “realize trend is not destiny,” and they help guide their program. This episode covers Lake’s path back to the family operation and the evolution of their customer base with more focused, data-driven buyers ...
Big data and strategic collaborations are the way of future when it comes to solving genetic challenges in the beef business. This episode covers work that is happening now to inform tools of the future. Christine Baes gives a peak into a multi-disciplinary project she works with on behalf of the Canadian dairy industry, and Andre Garcia draws parallels to what could be possible in the U.S. beef industry. Fertility, efficiency and methane emissions are among the traits that could see new ways...
How is the Association sitting financially at the end of the fiscal year? Do age of dam adjustments distort the genetic evaluation? How does Angus Media handle long-outstanding accounts receivable? How different are the $Weaned Calf Value ($W) and $Maternal Weaned Calf Value indexes? When the American Angus Association Board of Directors met this week, these questions (and many more) were discussed. From DNA sample policies to new advertising products, the Board covered the gamut of Associa...
Gardiner Angus Ranch started with a Kansas homestead, a willingness to work and a quest to stay curious, says fourth-generation rancher Mark Gardiner. From “pay it forward” and “there is no downside to marbling,” Gardiner shares both life advice and breeding philosophy during this episode that covers everything from the history of the ranch and their involvement in the start of U.S. Premium Beef to today. Early adopters of artificial insemination (AI), Gardiner talks of the change they’...
Struggles often lead to success, and that’s been true many times in the American Angus Association’s history. Illinois Angus breeder Gary Dameron, Dameron Angus, had a front-row seat for many of those pivotal periods in the breed’s history. From the early years of the Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®) brand to the dramatic swings in frame score, he has seen a lot of change in his career. Yet, some solid truths have remained evident: the Angus family is strong, there is power in people coming toge...
Most consumers aren’t out to get the ag industry, they just don’t understand us. That’s the message that Claire Murnin and Lyle Perrier shared during the Junior Takeover of this podcast. They are poised to help change that through both day-to-day interactions and more organized and strategic initiatives. Both of these National Junior Angus Association members are taking what they’ve learned in the organization to be ambassadors for our breed. Take a listen to learn about everything from their...
Life is what you make it, and a National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) experience is much the same, say Brenlen Humpert and Paige Lemmenager. The two have taken different paths to their involvement in the breed but come with a similar “seize the moment” approach. In this second edition of the Junior Takeover of The Angus Conversation, they share advice for fellow NJAA members such as step out of your comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. Hear more about them and how their Angus networ...
Breeding cattle that work for customers is priority No. 1, but finding those that also excel in the showring is a close second, say Tennessee Angus juniors Alexandra Duckworth and Allison Davis. On the first-ever Junior Takeover of the podcast, Mark and Miranda add National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) director Avery Mather as a guest co-host to dig into her peer’s philosophies on breeding and selecting a champion animal. Avery and Allison share their tips for getting involved in the NJAA,...
This behind-the-scenes look at the American Angus Association Board of Directors June meeting gives a recap of the discussions from Oklahoma City this week. The agenda ranged from the ways a newly announced packer premium is creating pull-through demand for AngusLink to the financial health of the organization. In this episode, Board members discuss the ways ongoing research in everything from heart health to male fertility will continue to advance the breed. They cover data collection trend...
What do you get when you combine a lifetime as a student of the Angus breed with more than a half of a century of collecting Angus memorabilia? The only logical answer is Tom Burke and his American Angus Hall of Fame in Smithfield, Mo. In this episode, Tom selects his top 10 favorite items in the collection and tells stories on everything from the early years of the Angus Journal to the time he personally knew both the sitting U.S. president and vice president. HOSTS: Mark McCu...
When Brian McCulloh found himself in Viroqua, Wis., in 1984 to manage and grow the Angus herd at Woodhill Farms, he knew he’d be learning as he went. In the decades that followed, Brian used that as a personal motto of sorts, always drawing on his curiosity and need for answers to make improvements. Early on he selected the type of cattle he wanted to create and then stayed focused on that for his entire career, building a legacy Angus brand with his program as a result. Brian says the ...
Life isn’t always a direct line from A to B, and Jason and Paige Pratt found blessings abound in their journey. They detail the path that took them from the Appalachian foothills to the Kansas prairie and back again. They included lessons in generational transfer along the way. The couple shares what they expect from their cows, how they built their customer base and why they think it’s so important to get involved in organizations that will help them protect their way of life. HOSTS: ...
Dan and Ty Byrd, Byrd Cattle Co., Red Bluff, Calif., say that the best grazing land in the United States comes with its own set of challenges. From the state’s political climate to other land uses threatening to shrink their customer base, they know providing good genetics is only half of the strategy to getting repeat customers. They’re active in marketing customer calves, too. The father-son duo shares their experience in growing from a show cattle project to selling commercial bulls in a...
HOSTS: Mark McCully and Miranda Reiman Friendships that form over Angus cattle are the type that stand the test of time. Hear from long-time friends and fellow South Dakota Angus breeders TJ Gabriel, Deep Creek Angus; and David Uhrig, Mt. Rushmore Angus, as they discuss what they’re asking their Angus cows to do. They talk maternal, terminal, weaning weights and calving ease, along with ways they’ve gotten involved with the breed at both at a regional and national level. GUESTS: TJ Gabriel...
The Ellingson family knows consistency, in both cattle and customer interactions, plays a role in their success. Chad and Julie Ellingson, St. Anthony, N.D., have grown their family and their Angus herd in tandem, with that next generation now taking an active role in management and breeding decisions. This episode features the father-son duo of Chad and Stetson and covers how much emphasis to place on calving ease, creating a uniform calf crop, their favorite moment of sale day and much more...
If a breed association “takes its eye off the ball” of making commercial cattlemen more profitable, it’s set to fail, says Donnie Schiefelbein, Kimball, Minn., Angus breeder. He joined breeder Lee Leachman for this episode that covers the changes in the Angus business over the decades, the data that has made a difference, and ways that coordination can produce solutions. The pair talks about the shift to grid marketing, and how to prioritize your cow herd while aiming for carcass quality.&nbs...
The days of feed cards and calculators have given way to computer-balanced rations, mixed pens of cattle have become more uniform and carcass-based premiums are now figured into the target rather than an afterthought, but the main objectives of cattle feeders remain the same today as they were decades ago. Two well-known names in the cattle feeding business join us for this episode capturing their history, the kind of cattle they’re currently demanding and an outlook on the future of that seg...
A state of constant improvement — if there was a phrase to sum up the work the American Angus Association Board did this week and the updates they heard from staff, that would be it. This episode focuses on “core” updates to the National Cattle Evaluation, a discussion around parentage protocols and a rundown of the genetic tools for commercial cattlemen (and their timeline for release). There are notes from each of the entities and the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) board and an en...
Listening to your commercial customers is one of the best ways to ensure success at meeting their demand, says Jake Tiedeman, Baldridge-Tiedeman Angus of North Platte, Neb. In this episode, he recalls what it was like to grow up as Jim Tiedeman’s sidekick and covers how his family works together today. Tiedeman talks tools for change, how to make sure you’re heard by your Association and gives a look at the future. As a bonus, there's some beef product talk and a history on the family’s...
Adam Sawyer, Doug Stevenson and John Toledo have more in common than the title of 2024 National Western Stock Show Angus Pen and Carload Show judge. During this episode you’ll hear what the trio thinks about the best way to create the right animal for the right time, how to get a little bit better every day and how it felt to wear that judge’s pin in Denver. HOSTS: Mark McCully and Miranda Reiman GUESTS: Adam Sawyer, A & B Cattle, Bassett, Neb., and his wife Jenessa...
Could the epigenetics of a male sperm cell tell us anything about cow herd fertility? What advancements in the aquiculture industry could be applied to the beef business? Two scientists give an outside perspective on how technology is shaping improvements in everything from patient care to feeding a growing world population. They share challenges that sound familiar, such as barriers to data collection and applying genetic tools across diverse production environments. This episode is meant to...
If there’s a day when you want everything to go right, it’s sale day. So, how far in advance should preparations start? Three months out? Six months? Will Harsh, regional manager for the American Angus Association, and sale manager Rance Long, Rance Long Inc., say it’s a year-round focus. Whether you’re looking to host your first bull or female sale or have been at it a while, this episode covers ways to manage the pre-sale to-do list, ways to get buyers in the seats, and making all the deta...
Sometimes the only way to start a new venture is to jump right in. That’s how Angus producers Lindsey Hall and Ashley Brunner say they approached their direct-to-consumer beef marketing enterprises they operate as part of their family Angus operations. Both operations have been among the first to test Certified Angus Beef’s (CAB) Ranch to Table program, and share how they got started, the power of partnerships and ways they keep their customers happy. And they’re not done yet. Tune in to hear...
There’s risk, and the faith that pushes you to take it. There’s challenge, and critical thinking and intentional action that allows you to overcome. For Gordon Stucky and Kevin Yon, their work as first-generation Angus breeders has been studded with risk, faith, thought and action. In this episode, they give advice and discuss current trends and hurdles, along with the ways they approach them head-on in their seedstock operations. They answer questions like: How do Angus breeders remain com...
Leo and Sam McDonnell, Angus breeders from Columbus, Mont., aren’t afraid of hard work, speaking up or taking risks. In this episode the couple covered everything from a post-Angus tour proposal and the story of the Midland Bull Test to ways that a healthy dose of conflict can make everyone better. Working in an industry with a lot of opinions has similarities to running a family ranch, and they have plenty of advice for navigating both. HOSTS: Mark McCully and Miranda Reiman GUESTS:...
As David Holt and Kent Brown grew separate Angus businesses just down the road from each other, they found a natural partnership. They could do more together than they could separately. The Tennessee neighbors talk about why they went Angus, how whole herd inventory reporting will strengthen their programs and the breed, and the ways they maximized their marketing by working together. HOSTS: Esther Tarpoff, Mark McCully, Miranda Reiman GUESTS: David Holt, of Holt Farms, Li...
What do you get when you combine Angus data from three countries on 11 different traits? More accurate and reliable tools, says Kelli Retallick-Riley, president of Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI). The team will release the World Angus Evaluation, in partnership with Angus Australia and the Canadian Angus Association, on Oct. 13, and this episode shares what that means for Angus breeders across the globe. In addition, the international guests cover genetic and marketing trends in their countri...
You’re not going to find expansive Angus ranches on wide open plains in New York, but if you head just 90 miles north of The Big Apple, you will find Trowbridge Farms. With reach across the United States, Phil and Annie Trowbridge, along with son and daughter-in-law, PJ and Miranda, have made a name for themselves by creating cattle for the showring and the commercial industry in tandem. And they’ve done it by leasing small pastures, working closely with their “weekender” neighbors who come o...
If the commercial cattleman isn’t successful, the breed isn’t successful, and the American Angus Association Board of Director’s investment of time on that segment reflects that. Updates on functional longevity and heart health research, projections and budgeting for the fiscal year, and FDA presentations on the gene edit approval process, labeling and processing — that and “a lot more” in this special episode that recaps the when, what and why of discussions at the August 2023 board meeting....
Looking back, Steve and Laura Knoll, Hereford, Texas, now remember their first cow herd was a “learning experience.” There are stories to tell, but one of their favorites gets them to the transformation that led to their 2 Bar Angus operation of today. In this episode, hear about the quick lesson in marketability that started their switch to Angus, how a busload of chefs enjoyed the West Texas wind, and why breeding projects used to start at midnight. GUESTS: Steve and Laura Knoll learne...
Resilience and adaptability required in the face of adversity — that describes Jim Sitz’s entry into the Angus business fairly well. When their dad was killed in a ranch accident, Jim, his brother Bob Jr., and sister Sherrie stepped into greater responsibilities, navigating the challenges of digging out of the 1980s economic crisis. Their mom taught them to prioritize needs over wants, and working together as a family they grew at a steady pace. Jim and his wife, Tammi, their children, and B...
What’s discussed at the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium and Convention today provides a glimpse at beef production advancements in the future. This year’s conference in Calgary, Alberta, focused on collecting and managing large amounts of data, creating tools for cattlemen that don’t exist today and discussing hot topics like the genetic role in methane emissions and heart function. When academia, industry and production segments all gather, there’s sure to be a lot of qu...
The Functional Longevity (FL) expected progeny difference will be released in a research form this summer, Certified Angus Beef now has a grass-fed line, and the gene edit on the table was not approved at this time. That and much more in this special episode that recaps the whens, whys and hows of many updates discussed in the June 2023 meeting of the American Angus Association Board of Directors. To see the president's letter and the memo referenced in this podcast, visit www.A...
The cattle have to be good, but the customer service is what seals the deal. That’s according to Roger Jacobs, who has helped breeders sell their Angus bulls for more than four decades as a leading livestock auctioneer. When he says “service”, that includes caring about the family, creating a market for your customer’s cattle and standing behind your product. He and Ron Frye talk about hitting the road in their younger years, how the cattle and the business have evolved, and the shift to tech...
Starting From Scratch: The Fink Beef Genetics Story From a few cows in the back yard (yes, seriously) to consistently ranking among the top 25 largest seedstock producers in the United States, Galen and Lori Fink built their ranch and reputation from the ground up. Near Manhattan, Kan., they grew Fink Beef Genetics on leased ground and by renting space in commercial cows, pioneering the embryo transfer (ET) model many use today. They share the leap of faith it took to give up full-time ...
When there’s a challenge in the cattle business, sometimes it’s easier to point fingers than to find solutions. Bovine congestive heart failure (BCHF) has been a growing topic of discussion in the last decade, and this episode unpacks if it's a genetic problem or a management problem? And perhaps, most importantly, is it an Angus problem? Hear from a breeder, a veterinarian and a geneticist as they uncover real-world examples and research findings to help put the pieces together. Leave with a...
In the cattle business, it’s easy to follow the fads or to veer slowly off course, but for Kelly Schaff, discipline has been his trademark. He gets to know each calf, clips his own bulls and takes many of the pictures seen throughout Schaff Angus Valley’s marketing materials. Maybe that’s in part because he’s particular, but also because it makes him better at his roles of customer consultant and chief breeder. “I think when you really like the cattle and know them, you can represent t...
When you’ve made a career out of being a lifelong learner, you’ve got a lot of wisdom to share. These guests gave us practical nuggets, visionary insight and a few laughs, too. Hear from Larry Corah and Dave Nichols, who crossed paths at Kansas State University decades ago and have been colleagues and friends ever since. They cover everything from the impact of genomics on breed registries to how incoming animal science students have changed over the years. HOSTS: Mark McCully and Mi...
There was a time when the beef industry thought product quality was as good as it was going to get. Those who worked in research and development were exploring everything from pumped product to mechanical tenderization methods to increase consumer acceptance. What changed? Economic signals became more precise, beef quality quantification methods improved and cattlemen acted on the data they received. In a relatively short time, beef quality skyrocketed. So, what does the landscape look...
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