Angus Underground

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.

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hosted by Seth Christensen:

Focuses on real-world ranching insights

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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!

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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.

After opening the episode with pointed commentary on current breed association messaging and the direction of Angus genetics, host David Brown shifts into a grounded, practical conversation with Montana cattleman Jed Polk. What follows is a thoughtful, transparent look at what it truly takes to build a cow herd — and now a seedstock program — from scratch.

Jed Polk and his wife Angel operate Polk Cattle in the heart of Montana’s cattle country near Rainesford. The ranch itself dates back to 1886 and represents Angel’s fifth-generation family operation. But Jed did not grow up in ranching. Raised in Helena, Montana, he joined the U.S. Air Force at 18 and served both active duty and in the Guard before ultimately transitioning back home. His entry into ranching came through marriage, mentorship, and a willingness to ask questions — a lot of them.

What makes Jed’s story compelling is not that he stepped into an established operation, but that he and his wife built their herd methodically, one cow at a time. Starting with just two cows, Jed expanded strategically year by year. He paid close attention to markets, bought cattle during drought-driven selloffs, and used disciplined budgeting to ensure growth without overleveraging. In years when calf prices were strong, he focused on paying down debt and upgrading infrastructure. In difficult years, particularly during severe drought, he made tough culling decisions — often selling older cows to preserve younger genetics and long-term viability.

Jed runs between 350 and 500 commercial cows depending on environmental conditions, all in a demanding Montana climate. With no irrigation and largely dryland hay production, his cattle must travel, graze, and endure weather extremes. Longevity, fertility, foot quality, and udder soundness are non-negotiable traits in that environment. He places heavy emphasis on cow families and proven maternal lines when selecting bulls, prioritizing real-world production records over flashy numbers.

In recent years, Jed’s passion has expanded into registered seedstock production. After early trial-and-error purchases, he recalibrated his approach — moving away from bargain registered cattle and toward embryos and proven older cows with established track records. His goal is consistency. He wants cattle that perform under commercial pressure, not just cattle that look good on paper. For Jed, integrity, predictability, and long-term reputation matter more than chasing trends.

The conversation dives into practical realities: developing bulls properly, building facilities to support a seedstock operation, managing herd replacement rates, and balancing commercial stability with registered ambition. Jed is candid about financial planning, market cycles, equipment investment, and the importance of preparing for downturns even during strong markets.

Ultimately, this episode is less about theory and more about stewardship — of land, genetics, capital, and relationships. Jed’s vision is to build a seedstock program rooted in functionality and trust, with the long-term goal of hosting his own production sale and marketing cattle backed by consistency and integrity.

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Topics include:

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Incorporating Wagyu influence into Angus programs

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

In this episode of the Angus Underground, host David Brown discusses the recent National Western Stock Show, sharing insights from various cattle producers and industry leaders. The conversation highlights the importance of attention to detail in cattle breeding, the significance of integrity and relationships in the industry, and the impact of community support. Listeners will hear interviews with key figures, including Brent Vieselmeyer and daughter in law, Sarah Vieselmeyer, who share their experiences and successes at the stock show, as well as the launch of their new business, the Beef Barn. The episode emphasizes the value of networking and learning from others in the Angus community, making it a must-listen for cattle enthusiasts and producers alike. In this episode, David discusses the importance of maternal traits in cattle breeding, the challenges posed by new regulations in the industry, and the innovative approach of Robert Whitacre and Lex Carter of BreederLink in sourcing cattle genetics. The conversation also delves into trends in the AI industry, the divide between show cattle and practical ranching, and the significance of influential Angus sires in shaping the future of cattle breeding. This conversation explores the vibrant world of Angus cattle breeding, highlighting the excitement of upcoming list comparisons, the significance of the National Western Stock Show, and the importance of quality genetics in the beef industry. The speakers share insights on the challenges and successes faced by cattle producers, the role of social media in modern agriculture, and the value of networking within the community. They also discuss the importance of education and mentorship for young enthusiasts in the Angus world, as well as the global perspectives on beef genetics and market trends.
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Welcome Back to Angus Underground
02:57 Insights from the National Western Stock Show
05:55 The Importance of Attention to Detail in Cattle Breeding
08:54 Attending the Schaff Angus Valley Sale
11:52 Kirk Duff and the Unique Approach to Cattle Sales
14:45 Integrity and Relationships in the Cattle Industry
18:03 The Impact of Community and Listener Engagement
20:01 Recap of the National Western Stock Show
23:02 Interviews with Key Figures in the Angus Community
32:52 Brent Vieselmeyer: Success at the Stock Show
50:02 Sarah Vieselmeyer: Launching the Beef Barn
01:04:45 Kurt and Shannon Trefiac: A Canadian Perspective on Cattle Breeding
01:21:09 The Importance of Maternal Traits
01:27:10 Navigating Industry Regulations and Traceability
01:39:04 BreederLink: A New Approach to Cattle Genetics
01:47:11 Trends in the AI Industry
01:56:57 The Divide Between Show Cattle and Practical Ranching
02:39:09 Exploring Influential Angus Sires
02:39:36 The Exciting Challenge of List Comparisons
02:41:14 Making Angus Great Again
02:42:01 Highlights from the National Western Stock Show
02:44:45 The Success of the Angus Breed
02:46:04 Quality Cattle and Market Trends
02:50:17 Insights from a Family Operation
02:52:15 Selecting the Right Bull
02:54:57 The Benefits of Fall Calving
02:56:49 Networking at the National Western
03:00:08 The Mohnen Family Legacy
03:03:10 Upcoming Events and Sales
03:05:12 The Importance of Social Media
03:09:21 Young Enthusiasts in the Angus Community
03:11:18 The Super Bowl of Livestock Shows
03:17:22 The Journey of the Ayers Family
03:30:27 The Role of Podcasts in Agriculture
03:51:23 Global Perspectives on Beef Genetics
 
Episode Links:
https://www.rouseysimangus.com/
https://breederlink.com/
https://visionangus.com/
https://salering.live/
https://faithangusfarms.com/
https://mjt.ca/sales.php

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

In this episode of the Angus Underground, host David Brown interviews Kirk Duff of Duff Cattle Company, Hobart, OK. They discuss the evolution of the Duff operation, Kirk's breeding philosophy, and the importance of consistency and quality in cattle production. Kirk shares insights into his partnership with Whole Foods and the scale of his beef production. The conversation also touches on the upcoming production sale featuring a diverse lineup of bulls and females, emphasizing the significance of building a quality product in the cattle industry.
Takeaways
Kirk Duff represents the essence of a master breeder.
Duff Cattle Company has a rich history dating back to 1917.
The breeding program focuses on producing low-maintenance, productive cattle.
Kirk emphasizes the importance of eye appeal and structure in cattle.
Consistency in breeding is a key goal for Kirk.
The partnership with Whole Foods showcases the scale of Duff's beef production.
Quality grade and consistency are crucial for Whole Foods specifications.
Kirk's branding, Power Plus, emphasizes efficiency and maternal traits.
The upcoming production sale features over 170 bulls and 80 females.
Building relationships with customers is essential for success in the cattle business.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Kirk Duff and Duff Cattle Company
02:57 The Evolution of Duff Cattle Company
05:48 Breeding Philosophy and Cattle Characteristics
08:56 Key Influential Cattle in the Breeding Program
11:48 Continuous Improvement in Breeding Practices
15:10 The Scale of Beef Production and Whole Foods Partnership
17:58 The Importance of Consistency in Cattle
21:00 The Power Plus Branding and Upcoming Production Sale
Links
Insuremybull.com
PowerPlusCattle.com
https://www.rouseysimangus.com/

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