It’s a jam-packed episode, starting with Aaron and Sheyna Strommen from Strommen Angus Ranch and Livestock Services in North Dakota. They talk about how they met and got started, what maternal power means to them, the sale coming up in December, and insights on their breeding program and marketing partnerships. Then Sheyna jumps in for a conversation all about sale marketing, including building a budget, getting the right kind of sale photos, and sharing who you really are with your customers.

Then, at the end of the episode is a quick interview with Jeff Sackmann, Sackmann Cattle Company in which he talks with David about his upcoming "Herd Builders Partners Female Sale" with JR Ranch in Othello, WA.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

BruinRanch.com

ShadyBrookAngus Farm.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

TruTime Logistics Facebook Page

StrommenRanch.com

GMC Genetics

Bear Mountain Angus Ranch

Sackmann Cattle Company

JRRanch.net

Quotes:

• “Predominantly, our customers are true cattlemen. They are professional ranchers. Their commercial cattle will send their kids through college and will hopefully help them retire one day.” — Sheyna [18:41]
• “We also tell our customers that you can look at our breeding program and figure out exactly what we’re doing.” — Aaron [23:03]
• “I think one of the areas that is absolutely not discussed as much as it should be anymore is the productivity of these cows. I think for me, that's the great frontier ahead of us.” [29:17]
• “For us, getting to where we’ve gotten to now, it takes a lot of people and a lot of questions. We haven’t done this just completely on our own. It’s a combination of enough people helping us out and giving us advice along the way.” — Aaron [39:55]
• “We don’t really want to offer something for everybody, that’s not our goal. We want when guys come here and look at every pen and go, man, I can select one from any of these pens, and it will be fine.” — Aaron [48:55]
• “I think the most important marketing tool that you could ever build is a budget and you need to do that for six to eight months in advance of your sale.” — Sheyna [55:00]
• “You’re the secret that makes your program special. Let’s figure out what that is and share that.” — Sheyna [1:00:21]

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

Special guest host and auctioneer Dave Mullins joins David, Joe, and Korbin this week as Vince is off celebrating his father, the legendary Tony Santini. They dive into the topic of working backward to develop a timeline and schedule for your sale — from hiring staff, securing a location, ad deadlines, supplemental online pieces, photo sessions, and selecting the optimal sale day. Dave gives great insight on the macro and micro of getting ahead of your sale. Then, the guys talk about the Beef Solutions Bull Sale coming to Ione, California on Thursday, September 28th.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

BruinRanch.com

ShadyBrookAngus Farm.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

PointPleasantAngus.com

TruTime Logistics Facebook Page

Salering.live

Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, by Dan Ariely

Beef Solutions Bull Sale

InheritSelect.com

Beefgenetics.com

Quotes:

• “Time is our most valuable asset.” [20:02]
• “I always like to start at the end and work my way backward with a schedule.” — Dave Mullins [24:18]
• “I think there’s a lot of value in just visiting with those that have experienced what you’re trying to accomplish.” — Dave Mullins [29:08]
• “If you are not utilizing the regional manager and think they’re not bringing you value, then you probably need to look at what you’re not doing.” — Dave Mullins [31:21]
• “It’s the 21st century. It pays to have that online presence.” [47:43] 
• “It’s no longer a fight on the coffee table. It’s a fight to get in the door to the house.” [1:01:40] 

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

The guys had a ton of feedback from their recent special listener appreciation episode and wanted to address four topics that you all weighed in on. First, they talk about sale catalogs and sale orders, and then give their take on what trade money has done to the Angus breed. Then, they discuss why all these cows are nursing other cows, and daydream about what they would change about the American Angus Association if they were kings for a day. Keep those questions coming in, and tune in to hear the answers to these great topics.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

BruinRanch.com

ShadyBrookAngus Farm.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

InsureMyBull.com

PointPleasantAngus.com

TruTime Logistics Facebook Page

Quotes:

• “That motion and commotion that you’re saying is completely orchestrated and designed to confuse, it’s offset by the headache that it creates for your crew and the specialized labor that you have to have.” — [10:31]
• “The purpose of an auction is not to create commotion and craziness. The purpose of an auction is to find price discovery.” — [12:33] 
• “It makes sense to catalog them together in an order that fits our program philosophy.” — [14:15]

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

Celebrating their two-year milestone, this special episode features a long-awaited special appearance by Producer Seana, who joins the conversation and asks the crew over 60 listener-submitted questions, ranging from the podcast’s inception to favorite episodes, unveiling their breeding program philosophy, and outlining strategic operational goals.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

BruinRanch.com

ShadyBrookAngus Farm.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

Quotes:

• “My favorite episode, and I can’t narrow it down to one, are the ones that provoke thought. The ones that make people think and the ones that progress our breed as a whole.” [15:27]
• “I think we shouldn’t underestimate heifer retention. The heifer market this fall is going to be wild. So I’m not so sure we’re gonna need fewer bulls.” [34:32]
• “I have two sets of goals. Ones that are micro-level goals and ones that are macro-level goals. One the micro, it’s really simple. Make the cattle more problem-free, increase net profit year over year, and then on the macro level, improve consistency and uniformity.” [39:52]
• “For me, it’s all about the cows behind the bull, and how those cows behind the bull complement those behind the female that I’m breeding.” [1:31:02]

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

The team delves into a widely discussed subject: embryo cooperator agreements. They talk about their own past and future agreements, emphasizing the vital role of clear communication and mutual commitment to success. Then, they answer a listener question on the decision to retain or sell bull calves and heifers in the current market climate. And it’s — confessional time — a story about sharing phone pictures of cattle that aren’t yours and posting them on social media.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

GeneBrokers.com

Quotes:

• “I'll spend more time talking to sixteenth place than I do the first place because I want the kids to feel good.” [10:12]
• “The rule of all conflict is unmet expectations, so just make sure that you have everything spelled out.” [19:27]
• “Whether it’s a co-worker, whether it’s an, ET cooperator, whether it’s your spouse, communication is key.” [23:00]
• “As the embryo provider, I feel an obligation to provide embryos that will make pregnancies.” [23:27]
• “These guys are saying all the rebuilds going to happen, so I’m going to keep extra bulls. Guess what? I think you’re gonna be off base on that one.” [36:11]
• “Mark my word: this fall, we’re going to see commercial-bred heifers outsell registered-bred heifers. It’s going to happen.” [38:12]
• “If you have the kind of cattle that you are like, ‘Nobody should ever be able to take a picture of my animals,’ you better check yourself. Maybe you should be doing something different.” [49:06]
• “What’s different is not always right, and what’s right is not always different.” [54:54]

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

It’s a hot one, this week, as the crew continues their chat about what shapes genetic direction. Then, they dive into making a killer first impression when folks visit your production sale, ranch, or spot your ads on social media, publications, and more. They share tips about avoiding common mistakes when representing your business and the importance of the best pictures to showcase your work. They also emphasize finding your niche, authentically connecting with your customer, verbalizing your vision, and building a network and community that fosters respect and a symbiotic relationship.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

INHERITprogress.com

GeneBrokers.com

Zoetis

LBS Scales

Quotes:

• “I will freely admit that I have the best, best environment and the worst, worst political climate.” [17:17]
• “Regardless of where you think or who you think, is driving genetic direction within the breed, you need to think about, okay, what can I do about it as one breeder?” [21:31]
• “If you plan to be in the registered Angus business for the long haul you have to look at the reality of how niche you want to be. You can pigeonhole yourself pretty fast to where you have no customers or no relativity, but you make a hell of a nice set of cows.” [24:02]
• “You have one chance to make a great impression.” [39:50]
• “You want to be big time, you gotta be big time, and big time means a lot to a lot of different people.” [53:24]
• “You're only as good as your network. So build your network.” [1:08:18]
• “Be ready to verbalize what your vision is.” [1:10:03]

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

This week, the crew gets into the driving forces behind genetic direction. They explore the key players responsible for shaping genetic trends and their impact on our future, along with insights into the importance of making informed decisions and taking ownership of our choices. The guys also explore the feeder versus packer perspective on genetic trends, highlighting the diverse viewpoints within the industry. They discuss the role of social media in empowering consumers and how it influences genetic trends. Additionally, they dissect the relationship between academia, cooperative extension, and the direction of genetics, questioning who truly holds the reins.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

INHERITprogress.com

GeneBrokers.com

Zoetis

Quotes:

• “I think if we’re following the crowd, I do not think we’re going in the right direction. But you don’t have to follow the crowd, you can do your own thing, which many of us do.” — [11:22]
• “Diversity creates stability.” — [16:57]
• “What is it that your program is going to look like? What is it that you feel comfortable marketing, producing, standing behind, and providing to your customers? What is the product? Does your product have value to people? That should be the first question of anybody that’s making any widget, whether it’s a cow or a sprocket, a pen or anything.” — [17:45]
• “These guys and gals, I think feel like they have to make the sale today, when we used to talk about we’re making the sale tomorrow.” — [38:35]
• “The consumer and the producer, those two can put their foot down and say enough is enough.” — [44:06]
• “That’s why some of us choose to swim upstream. We choose to swim upstream because we want to be different.” — [45:08]
• “I’ve just finally felt that point in my entire career, where I’m finally empowered enough to use the bulls that I know are the right bulls to use.” — [45:35]
• “If I fail by using the kind of bulls that I know are right for the commercial producer, and then I see by their purchasing dollar that they don’t want them, guess what, I don’t want to participate. And I made that choice.” — [45:56]

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

Korbin recaps his epic Beef Leaders Institute adventure, where he rubbed shoulders with some industry leaders, toured Tyson, and got into the CAB vs. commodity cattle conversation. Meanwhile, Joe shares some of the wisdom and inspiration he gained from attending Ranching For Profit, including the importance of staying humble, knowing your core message and constantly honing your skills.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

INHERITprogress.com

GeneBrokers.com

Creek Insure

Zoetis

CAB

Beef Leaders Insitute

Ranching for Profit

Quotes:

• “The good genetics really do pay. They really do.” [33:42]
• “We've got a 4 x 8 ft banner hung on the wall of our sale barn that has our core values, and it’s important for us to see that on a daily basis. It’s important for our customers that come here to know what we are about.” [1:08:18]
• “If you have a question that you get stumped on and you can’t figure out what’s right or wrong, it’s right there in your core values.” [1:06:36]
• “That word is humility. And I think we're at a point in society and at point in time where that's an extremely important word for all us to grab a hold of and think about and utilize in our daily lives. [1:14:40]

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

Joe checks in from Billings at Ranching for Profit, as Korbin gets ready for Beef Leaders Institute. The crew talks about the much anticipated functional longevity research EPD policy discussion on multiple sire pastures. Then, they get into the topic of knowing where your breeding program fits in the big picture of the beef industry and what really drives genetic direction. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

INHERITprogress.com

GeneBrokers.com

Quotes:

• “I don’t sell beef. I don’t even sell genetics and service. But I sell something else, I actually sell my time to people. I sell my considerations, product development, things like that.” [5:50]
• “There’s just not enough data to really depict the longevity of a lot of these cattle. I’ve been submitting my records all along. Do I know which ones are going to last the longest? Hell no.” [34:30]

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

The crew begins by addressing a listener message concerning the selection of sires for breeding and the importance of pairing compatible bulls with appropriate cows. They then introduce Kevin Renwick from Monadnock Ranch, a family-owned Black Angus cattle operation situated in South Carolina’s Midlands. Kevin shares insights into their process of achieving the desired biological type and also discusses his role as a loan officer at AgSouth Farm Credit. He talks about the advantages of utilizing operating loans as a strategic tool, the positive outcomes of fostering a personal connection with one’s lender, and a few of the benefits of working with AgSouth. Kevin also details the documents and info that producers should have together and available when looking for the first time to secure a loan.

Mentioned in this Episode:

MontanaRanchAngus.com

Facebook @AngusUnderground

Instagram @AngusUnderground

Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

INHERITprogress.com

Monadnock Ranch

AgSouth Farm Credit

Creek Insure

Quotes:

• “I think about my role as a seed stock producer. And my role as a seed stock producer is to produce seed stock for commercial cattlemen. And what they want is animals that cause them the least amount of problems.” [9:00]
• “Keep it simple. I can tell you mating cows for me has never been easier since I came up with where I wanted, to this endpoint that I wanted to be at, and knew the cows that I wanted on both sides of the pedigree. I mean it's almost idiot-proof at this point.” [10:04]
•  “I wouldn't advocate anybody borrowing money just for the sake of it. I think it needs to be kind of a holistic decision when it comes to that.” — Kevin [27:42]
• “Having that relationship with your lender is really, really handy if you plan on being in this business for a long time.” [42:48]
• “I tell people this all the time, we don’t want your farm. We don’t let you not make loans to get your farm. So we’re going to work any way possible for you to pay that debt back, restructure your loan, whatever.” — Kevin [47:44]

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