Angus Underground

By David Brown

Featuring insightful opinions, the latest news from around the Angus cattle world and conversations with industry leaders, newsmakers and breeders – from the well-known to the not so well-known. Keep ... more

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How many episodes does Angus Underground have?

The podcast currently has 123 episodes available.

Best of Angus Underground

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: PJ Budler - A Global Perspective
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.
June 12, 20261h 12min
Number 2: Listener Appreciation Episode
David, Joe, and Korbin answer questions submitted by the listening audience. David then visits with Casey White, Senior Director of Technical Services and Innovation at Central Life Sciences, about Fly Control. Casey describes the highly, highly effective products, ClariFly and Altosid IGR, and how/when to use them. The guys cover dozens of your submitted questions and talk about everything from marketing, breeding and crossbreeding, the future of industry, protocols, inflation and demand, how to be an advocate, diversifying, trusting your eyes, and so much more. Mentioned in this Episode: Montana Ranch The Montana Bred for Balance Bull and Female Sale — Call David at 406-210-5605 or send an email to [email protected] if you’re searching for semen from balanced trait sires! Rafter 5M Land & Cattle Bruin Ranch Facebook @AngusUnderground Instagram @AngusUnderground Contact [email protected] or call 406-210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground. BreederLink.com GeneBrokers.com Central Life Sciences George Chambers Southern Cross Ranch ClariFly Altosid IGR American Angus Association Quotes:“I just hope that when I get where I’m going, I’m where I need to be.” — Korbin“The customers pay an immense premium to get to do business with us and the more I can spend my time with those folks getting to understand their needs, wants, directions, goals… that’s the best marketing tool.” — Joe“Continue on the path that you’re on and capitalize.” — David“Your cattle still have value even if they have numbers.” — Korbin“Produce something different from everyone else, and let everyone know what you have.” — David“Find people that raise the kind of cattle you like and really quiz them.” — David“Develop your own biases, develop your network… but also trust your heart and trust your own eyes.” — Joe“Be an advocate for the beef industry.” — David“How do we grow our demand for our beef? We just have to produce good beef and we have to be good stewards of the cattle, of the land, and we have to sell that message to the general public.” — David“It’s about empowering a new generation of breeders.” — Joe“Every animal has to add value no matter which lane you decide to be in or if you decide to tackle multiple lanes.” — Joe“Trust your eyes, trust your heart, do what matters to you. Don’t pay attention to what the crowd says.” — David Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.
May 06, 20221h 21min
Number 3: What Commercial Cattlemen Really Want with George Chambers
David, Joe, and Korbin give an update from their corner of the world and hope that the record-breaking April blizzard in the Northern Plains brings rain sooner rather than later. They then read some of the great feedback they’ve gotten from a recent episode and welcome George Chambers of the Southern Cross Ranch in Carrollton, Georgia, where he also serves as county commissioner. The guys chat about the 30-month rule, and George gives the history behind the ranch and the genetics program, along with great life lessons about always moving forward. Finally, we hear who really is the boss behind it all (hint: It’s not George!). Mentioned in this Episode: Montana Ranch The Montana Bred for Balance Bull and Female Sale — Call David at 406-210-5605 or send an email to [email protected] if you’re searching for semen from balanced trait sires! Rafter 5M Land & Cattle Bruin Ranch Facebook @AngusUnderground Instagram @AngusUnderground Contact [email protected] or call 406-210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground. BreederLink.com GeneBrokers.com Central Life Sciences George Chambers Southern Cross Ranch Quotes:“Farmers and ranchers are the most resilient people in our society. They deal with more ups and downs than any other walk of life.”“That's why it's called Angus Underground. It's not to undermine anybody. It's to say, what is the real conversation going on in the industry?”“You don't put a hat on a mullet. You let a mullet just fly in the wind.”“I just want you to be honest with me, I want you to tell me the honest birth weight, the honest yearling weight, and let me see it’s mama.” — George“We need good young people that are backed with morals and ethics and from an agricultural background because they’re gonna need to carry the torch for the next generation.”“We’re the only area that can sell our calf crop three times a year, Christmas, tax time, and when we can catch ’em!” — George“In life, I think there’s an ultimate goal. You just keep progressing forward, whether it’s progressing forward with your genetic program, whether you’re purebred, commercial, whether you’re progressing forward in your life, your faith, whatever.” — George Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.
April 22, 20221h 26min
Number 4: It’s a Fake World
David, Joe, and Korbin talk about their takeaways from a recent episode with Mark McCully, CEO of the American Angus Association. They address listener questions they wish they got to, and give a glimpse behind the scenes of recording. Then, they talk about $Maternal, how to prove the data when it comes to different types of scoring, and the fact that $Maternal means so many different things to so many different people. David brings up a conversation he recently had with a third-generation commercial rancher that really sums up the simple things commercial ranchers truly want, and how it’s not that complicated to get it right. They explore how the Angus breed is slowly turning into a fake world. Mentioned in this Episode: Montana Ranch The Montana Bred for Balance Bull and Female Sale — Call David at 406-210-5605 or send an email to [email protected] if you’re searching for semen from balanced trait sires! Rafter 5M Land & Cattle Bruin Ranch Facebook @AngusUnderground Instagram @AngusUnderground Contact [email protected] or call 406-210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground. BreederLink.com ELKAngus.com GeneBrokers.com AltosidIGR.com Quotes:“I take perverse pleasure in culling.”“This early data is helping to train the genomics.”“If we can influence any kind of change with Angus Underground, I would like to see greater transparency. I want to see the ingredients that are going into the cake before it’s baked.”“Maternal means so many different things to so many different people. It's hard to capture that essence.”“I think the greatest space left in the Angus business is the proven cow maker. Because nobody’s doing it anymore.” Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.
April 08, 20221h 3min
Number 5: Tools, Transparency, and Making Angus Cattle Better: Mark McCully, CEO of the American Angus Association
It’s a big episode this week as Mark McCully, CEO of the American Angus Association joins the show. Mark first talks about how livestock judging gave him critical tools and skills that have served him throughout his extensive career and walks us through how he got to be at AAA. He provides clarity on the role of the American Angus Association, along with a few of the many organizations under the Association’s umbrella. Mark talks about the organization’s foundational pillars, including a diverse membership base, providing tools for breeders, and serving the members to make Angus cattle better in many different ways. Mark also answers questions regarding gene editing, sustainability, and a few listener questions about how AAA plans to expand its share in the marketplace. Mentioned in this Episode: Montana Ranch The Montana Bred for Balance Bull and Female Sale — Call David at 406-210-5605 or send an email to [email protected] if you’re searching for semen from balanced trait sires! Rafter 5M Land & Cattle Bruin Ranch Facebook @AngusUnderground Instagram @AngusUnderground Contact [email protected] or call 406-210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground. American Angus Association | Angus.Org Mark McCully Ducks Unlimited Quotes:“My passion for livestock judging opened a lot of doors and just like for a lot of other people, it exposed my eyes to the bigger industry.” — Mark“We talk about driving breed improvement, obviously, that's what this organization is largely about. Building tools, putting tools in the hands of breeders to make the Angus breed better, enhancing membership, experience, and success.” — Mark“Ultimately, we are a member-centric organization. We’re here to serve the member and make Angus cattle better in many different ways.” — Mark Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.
March 25, 20221h 8min