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.

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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. 

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