Angus Underground

After a summer hiatus, David Brown returns to Angus Underground with longtime friend and repeat guest Dave Mullins for a candid conversation about the current Angus business, the cattle market, and the opportunities facing breeders today. David opens with updates from Montana Ranch before diving into his thoughts on the American Angus Association’s Data Driven Herd recognition program, the importance of submitting real-world performance data, and recent changes surrounding genetic testing and AI certificate requirements. While never shy about sharing his frustrations, David’s larger message remains consistent: meaningful data collection matters, particularly as genomics continue to play a larger role in cattle evaluation.

From there, David and Dave turn to what they describe as an unprecedented cattle market. Despite drought conditions, market volatility, and challenges such as New World screwworm concerns, demand for quality Angus genetics remains remarkably strong. They examine why traditional “sale seasons” are becoming less relevant, with successful production and frozen genetics sales happening throughout the year. Dave explains that today’s buyers are increasingly willing to invest whenever the right genetics become available—whether they’re looking for embryos for an upcoming IVF cycle, a donor cow to advance their program, or genetics that fit a very specific breeding philosophy.

Ultimately, the conversation centers on intentionality. David and Dave encourage breeders to determine exactly what they want their program to accomplish, reverse engineer the path to get there, and resist being distracted by industry noise or someone else’s definition of success. Whether a breeder focuses on maternal cattle, performance genetics, carcass traits, show cattle, or another segment entirely, there is room within the Angus breed for different approaches. Their message to both established and young producers is simple: build a good product, communicate clearly why it matters, understand your customer, and become exceptionally good at serving your particular segment of the cattle business.

Key Discussion Points

The return of Angus Underground after a busy summer at Montana Ranch

American Angus Association’s Data Driven Herd recognition program

Why real-world performance data remains important alongside genomics

Genetic defect testing and AI certificate requirements

Current cattle inventory and historically strong market conditions

New World screwworm concerns and cattle-market volatility

Record demand for registered Angus cattle and genetics

Why traditional spring and fall “sale seasons” are changing

Growing opportunities for year-round embryo and semen sales

How IVF has changed the timing of frozen-genetics purchases

The diversity of today’s Angus breeders and buyers

Finding the right customer instead of trying to appeal to everyone

Building a breeding program around intentionality and consistency

“Reverse engineering” your operation from the outcome you want

Why breeders should learn from successful programs—even those with completely different philosophies

Opportunities for young people looking to build careers in the cattle industry



 

🎧 Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Creek Insurance

Livestock producer David Yackley discusses the risks cattlemen face from weather, disease, injury, longhorn ticks, and New World screwworm.

Livestock mortality coverage includes:

Individual animals

Entire herds

Livestock losses resulting from covered risks

Phone: 360-266-8000

Website: insuremybull.com

Got Any Cows? Podcast

Hosted by Seth Christensen of Christensen Genetics, the Got Any Cows? Podcast explores the realities of operating a cattle business and building a sustainable ranching operation.

Topics include:

Artificial insemination (AI)

Embryo transfer

IVF

Production practices

Finance

Marketing

Akaushi genetics and Wagyu-quality beef

Angus cattle and breeding programs

Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Website: gotanycows.com

Empower Ag Trading

Empower Ag Trading helps cattle producers navigate market volatility and make more informed marketing and risk-management decisions.

Services include:

Cattle and grain marketing

Futures and options trade execution

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)

Market information and analysis

Risk-management planning

Website: empoweragtrading.com

Futures and options involve significant risk and may not be suitable for everyone. Empower Ag Insure is an equal opportunity provider.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned

Compass Livestock — Dave Mullins: compasslivestock247.com

SaleRing.live — Online livestock sales platform: SaleRing.live

Angus Underground Community Group on Facebook

Got Any Cows Podcast: gotanycows.com

Creek Insurance: insuremybull.com

Empower Ag Trading: empoweragtrading.com

Montana Ranch: montanaranchangus.com



 

Closing Takeaway

This episode is ultimately a reminder that there may be more opportunity in the cattle business today than at any other point in recent memory. David and Dave encourage producers to stop chasing every industry trend, determine what they believe in, understand the customer they want to serve, and intentionally build toward that goal. Different breeding philosophies can—and do—succeed. The key is knowing your lane, communicating your value, and becoming exceptionally good at what you do.

Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.

In this fascinating episode of Angus Underground, David Brown and Jim McWilliam welcome internationally respected cattle evaluator, consultant, and global livestock ambassador PJ Budler. Originally from South Africa and now based in Texas, PJ shares stories from a career that has taken him to more than 120 countries and judging assignments in over 50 nations. From evaluating cattle on icy parking lots in Kazakhstan to consulting operations across multiple continents, PJ offers a unique perspective on what makes cattle profitable, functional, and adaptable regardless of geography. 

The conversation quickly moves beyond travel stories and into a thoughtful discussion on cattle breeding philosophy. PJ argues that profitability begins with the cow on the ranch—not at the feedlot, packing plant, or retail counter. He challenges the industry's obsession with chasing maximum growth and extreme EPDs, advocating instead for balance, fertility, functional efficiency, environmental adaptability, and cattle that work within their production environment. Throughout the discussion, David, Jim, and PJ explore the differences between breeding for optimization versus maximization and why consistent, honest breeding programs ultimately build the strongest customer base. 

The episode concludes with an in-depth conversation about visual appraisal, functional efficiency, tropical adaptation, the influence of the late Jan Bonsma, and the dangers of overcomplicating cattle breeding. PJ emphasizes that successful breeders combine observation, curiosity, and repetition to understand cattle, while warning against treating genomics or any single tool as the only answer. His message is clear: great cattle breeding is still rooted in common sense, balance, and a relentless focus on profitability and function. 

Key Discussion Points

PJ Budler's journey from a South African farm to becoming a globally recognized cattle judge and consultant

Judging cattle in more than 50 countries and visiting over 120 countries worldwide

The creation of the "Champion of the World" livestock competition

Why profitable cow-calf operations start with efficient cows rather than terminal traits

Functional efficiency versus chasing extreme genetic measurements

The importance of fertility, body condition, and hormonal balance in cattle selection

How environmental adaptability should influence breeding decisions

Angus cattle and the challenges of heat, humidity, and parasite pressure

The role of Bos indicus influence in tropical environments

Why consistency and honesty are powerful marketing tools for seedstock producers

Lessons from Jan Bonsma and observation-based cattle breeding

The dangers of treating genomics as the "only game in town"

Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Creek Insurance -for more information or quotes visit InsureMyBull.com

🎧 Got Any Cows Podcast

Host Seth Christensen shares his experience ranching full-time in Idaho and invites listeners to learn more through the Got Any Cows Podcast.

Closing Takeaway

PJ Budler brings a rare global perspective to cattle breeding, but his core message is surprisingly simple: profitable cattle are balanced cattle. Whether discussing fertility, function, adaptability, or phenotype, the conversation continually returns to the idea that breeding decisions should prioritize long-term efficiency and practicality over short-term trends. For breeders seeking sustainable success, this episode offers both inspiration and a challenge to rethink what truly matters in cattle selection.

Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.

After a brief hiatus, David Brown and Producer Seana return with a wide-ranging, passionate episode covering the current state of the beef industry, Angus genetics, market volatility, ranch life, Angus Association politics, and the future direction of commercial cattle production. 

This episode blends personal ranch updates, industry commentary, economic concerns, and David’s candid thoughts on Angus genetics, breed associations, genomics, and profitability in today’s cattle market.

🐂 Main Topics Covered

Ranch Life & Spring Workload Updates

David shares what has been happening behind the scenes at Montana Ranch during the podcast break.

Beef Industry Market Concerns

David dives deeply into concerns surrounding the current cattle market and explains why he believes the industry is at a major crossroads despite record-high prices.

Angus Genetics & EPD Concerns

One of the strongest portions of the episode centers around David’s concerns about:

Extreme numbers

Terminal traits

Functional cows

Longevity

Maternal value

Commercial ranch profitability

David specifically challenges whether genomics and certain modern Angus metrics truly reflect real-world cattle performance. 

American Angus Association Discussion

David discusses financial concerns regarding the American Angus Association. He encourages breeders to become more active in delegate nominations and leadership decisions within the organization. 

📌 Key Takeaways

The cattle industry is experiencing historic prices alongside historic uncertainty.

Efficient, durable cows may become increasingly valuable during the next rebuilding phase.

David believes the industry is moving away from extreme growth-focused genetics.

Angus breeders should focus more on commercial profitability and less on inflated numbers.

Young cattle producers face major challenges entering the business due to land and input costs.

Market volatility and packer concentration remain major concerns.

🎧 Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Got Any Cows Podcast

Featured promotional mention for the Got Any Cows Podcast hosted by Seth Christensen.

Topics include:

AI breeding

Embryo transfer

IVF

Production practices

Marketing

Akaushi genetics

Available on:

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

🌐 Website:

Got Any Cows Podcast

Empower Ag Trading

Sponsor spotlight for Empower Ag Trading, focusing on:

Futures and options trading

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)

Cattle marketing strategies

Risk management

Hosted by Brady Huck.

🌐 Website:

Empower Ag Trading

Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.

In Part 2 of this deep-dive series, David Brown and Dallas Woltemath return to complete their countdown of the top 20 most influential Angus sires of all time, bringing the conversation into its most impactful and opinionated territory. 

Where Part 1 laid the groundwork, this episode sharpens the focus—moving into the bulls that didn’t just contribute to the breed, but fundamentally shaped what modern Angus cattle look like today. The discussion blends personal experience, historical perspective, and practical application, reinforcing that true influence goes far beyond registration numbers or EPD profiles.

A central theme throughout this episode is maternal strength and longevity. As David highlights bulls like Emulation N Bar 5522, the conversation emphasizes traits that stand the test of time—udder quality, fertility, structural integrity, and the ability to produce daughters that remain productive for years. These sires are remembered not just for what they produced in one generation, but for the consistency and reliability they passed down through entire cow families. 

As the countdown progresses, the discussion naturally evolves into a broader reflection on balance in cattle breeding. Dallas frequently points out that the most influential sires weren’t necessarily extreme in one trait—they were complete. Bulls like Rito 707 emerge as foundational figures, acting as a “common denominator” in performance genetics and demonstrating how early advancements in growth, carcass merit, and efficiency helped define the direction of the breed. 

The episode also highlights how timing plays a critical role in influence. Many of these sires rose to prominence because they met the needs of the industry at exactly the right moment—whether that meant increasing frame size, improving carcass quality, or strengthening maternal lines. Yet despite changing trends, both David and Dallas repeatedly emphasize that many of these bulls could still be relevant today, reinforcing the idea that good cattle never go out of style. 

As they approach the top of the list, the conversation becomes even more personal. Stories of seeing these bulls in person, working with their progeny, and observing their long-term impact give the episode a sense of legacy. 

By the end of the episode, it’s clear that this project is more than a ranking—it’s a reflection of decades of experience, observation, and respect for the cattle that built the Angus breed. The discussion leaves listeners with a deeper understanding of what true influence looks like: cattle that work, last, and leave something meaningful behind.

Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Creek Insurance - InsureMyBull.com

🎧 Got Any Cows Podcast 

hosted by Seth Christensen:

Focuses on real-world ranching insights

Covers topics like AI, embryo transfer, IVF, finance, and marketing

Shares firsthand experiences integrating Akaushi genetics into Angus programs

Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and GotAnyCows.com

Closing Notes

David wraps up the series by emphasizing that every sire discussed—regardless of ranking—has a place in the conversation and, in many cases, could still be relevant in today’s breeding programs. 

Listeners are encouraged to:

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast

Join the Angus Underground Facebook community

Reach out with questions (or strong opinions!)

This episode concludes a multi-year “labor of love” project that captures not just rankings—but the history, philosophy, and future of Angus genetics.

Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.

In this “labor of love” episode, host David Brown welcomes back Dallas Woltemath for a deep and highly intentional conversation centered on one of the most important questions in Angus genetics: which sires have truly shaped the breed—and why?

Building on the success of their earlier episode on influential dams, David and Dallas take on a much bigger challenge—identifying and ranking their favorite and most impactful Angus sires across roughly the last 50 years. Rather than relying on association-generated rankings or purely statistical definitions of “influence,” they intentionally frame this project through lived experience, practical observation, and long-term industry perspective.

Each of them independently compiled a list of approximately 30 sires, focusing on bulls born between the 1970s and 2016. They then merged those lists into a composite ranking, which not only highlights shared selections but also exposes differences in opinion—creating a richer, more layered discussion about what influence actually looks like in the real world. 

Throughout the episode, the conversation moves beyond simple rankings and into storytelling. David and Dallas reflect on cattle they’ve seen, pedigrees they’ve studied, and moments in time when certain sires shifted the trajectory of the breed. They explore how different eras prioritized different traits—frame size, muscle, maternal strength, carcass merit—and how key bulls helped push those transitions forward.

What becomes clear is that “influential” isn’t just about widespread use or registration numbers. It’s about lasting impact—bulls that left daughters that worked, sons that propagated consistency, and genetics that held up across environments and management styles. There is a recurring appreciation for cattle that brought balance and functionality, rather than extremes, reinforcing a core theme of practicality over trend-driven breeding.

The episode also captures the evolution of data and record-keeping in the Angus industry. Earlier generations of cattle often lacked the depth of recorded data that modern breeders rely on, yet many of those sires still rise to the top of these discussions because of what they actually did in production settings. That contrast adds another layer of depth, reminding listeners that numbers alone don’t tell the full story.

Ultimately, this conversation feels less like a definitive ranking and more like an oral history of the Angus breed—shared between two cattlemen who have spent decades observing what works, what lasts, and what truly matters. Part 1 sets the foundation, walking through the early portion of their list and preparing listeners for a continued countdown in the next installment. Part 2 coming next week!

Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Sherman Angus

Plan to attend the Sherman Angus Open House Bull Sale, April 11, 2026 at the ranch in Polson, MT. Visit ShermanAngus.com for more information.

📊 Empower Ag Trading

“If you're in the cattle business, you already know—volatility is part of the game. Managing that volatility is where the opportunity is.” 

Empower Ag Trading is a proud sponsor of the Angus Underground Podcast and provides:

Cattle & grain marketing services

Futures and options trade execution

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)

Actionable market insights to cut through noise

Their mission is to help cattlemen make confident, informed marketing decisions in an unpredictable market environment. 

Closing Notes

David wraps the episode by noting that this is just the beginning—covering the first portion of their sire rankings—and invites listeners back for Part 2, where they will continue the countdown toward their top selections. 

Listeners are also encouraged to:

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast

Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.