The Angus Table

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Ben and Olivia Wright, managers of Munda Reds Droughtmaster Stud, for a conversation about their established Droughtmaster breeding operation and ambitious new Ultrablack program.

Ben and Olivia share how Munda Reds operates from Gingin (1 hour north of Perth) and Munda Station near Port Hedland (17 hours north) with 7,000 Droughtmaster breeders. Their five-year-old stud sells 100+ bulls annually, built on genetic testing at Munda Station identifying which bloodlines work in harsh conditions.

Two years ago, conversations about Angus eating quality reputation sparked the decision to trial Ultrablack genetics. This season, 180 black embryo calves are hitting the ground, and they’re recording detailed data across Droughtmaster, Brangus, and Ultrablack programs.

Scott, Ben and Olivia discuss what harsh Munda conditions demand: 48-degree temperatures, 2.5-5km water walks, extended poor-nutrition periods requiring absolutely sound, compact, tough cattle.

Oliva explains how female performance decides success, and Ben explains why Ultrablack genetics work where purebred Angus won’t. They’re prioritising proof over profit, comparing genetics through backgrounding, feedlotting, and carcass data rather than rushing bulls to market.

Scott and Ben finish their conversation discussing the economic opportunity of reduced herd numbers with higher productivity if Ultra Blacks do produce more kilos per animal, and their five-year vision for 300 Ultrablack females and 300 Droughtmaster females producing 150 of each sex annually.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about breeding black cattle in the tropics, genetic innovation, and the importance of proof before profit.

Key topics covered:

• How Munda Reds operates from Gingin WA (8,000 acres, 500-700mm rainfall, 1 hour north of Perth) and Munda Station (under 1 million acres, 7,000 Droughtmaster breeders, 17 hours north near Port Hedland)
• The Droughtmaster stud operation selling 100+ bulls annually through an established sale, built on five years of testing genetics at Munda Station to identify working bloodlines and eliminate unsuitable genetics quickly
• The challenge of tropical adaptation with eating quality drove the decision to trial Ultrablack genetics, seeking to breed black cattle suited to northern stations while maintaining Angus eating quality, fertility, and survivability
• How Ben and Olivia sourced Palgrove Ultrablack donor dams and semen shares two years ago, with 180 black embryo calves hitting the ground this season across rigorous data-recording programs.
• The importance of crawl, walk, run approach: proving the concept through data rather than rushing to market, following calves through backgrounding, feedlotting, and carcass evaluation before selling bulls.
• What harsh Munda Station conditions demand (48-degree temperatures, 2.5-5km walks for water, extended poor-nutrition periods) and the need for absolutely sound, compact, tough cattle structurally adapted for survival.
• How female performance will decide success, proving the Ultrablack female's survival, growth, fertility, and eating quality comes before bull sales would naturally follow.
• Ben and Olivia’s aggressive temperament culling standard, with zero tolerance for attitude in weaning yards.
• Why Ultrablack genetics work where purebred Angus won't: tropical adaptation of bulls for station conditions plus fertility and durability of females, while keeping Brahman content under 25% to maintain Angus identity.
• The economic opportunity of reduced herd numbers with higher productivity if Ultrablacks produce more kilos per animal, potentially justifying premium pricing through superior feedlot performance and eating quality.
• How AI (50% conception) and embryo transfer (52-54% take rate) accelerate genetic gain by stacking top genetics across generations, potentially advancing 30 years of progress in 5 years.
• Ben and Olivia's five-year vision: 300 Ultrablack females and 300 Droughtmaster females producing 150 males and 150 females of each annually for station and external sale.

Contact details:

Find out more about Munda Reds Droughtmaster Stud at https://mundareds.com.au/

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

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CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Global AgriTrend’s Simon Quilty for a September market update dissecting cattle cycles, global demand dynamics, and price forecasts.

Simon argues Australia has experienced two years of genuine liquidation despite claims herd sizes remain large, with supply tightening sharply over recent weeks signalling rebuild imminent.

Scott and Simon discuss the weather forecasting divergence between the Bureau of Meteorology calling dry versus Art Douglas calling wet patterns, how consumer cost-of-living pressures are driving pricing despite strong export demand, and what this means for beef producers.

Simon gives his analysis of the US market, including the protein obsession and rise of GLP-1 drugs, and the impact of the US herd being at a 74-year low. He explains early rebuild signs such as vealer prices moving early, heifers gaining premium over cows, and the fall in weekly yardings. Angus prevalence throughout the decimation explains the breed's critical role in the rebuild ahead: the breed faces greatest decimation and therefore greatest rebuild opportunity going forward.

Simon shares his pricing forecasts for two exceptional years ahead driven by tight global supply, saying the market-access headwinds are navigable given the structural beef shortage globally.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about reading rebuild cycles, global market drivers, and supply-led price forecasts.

Key topics covered:

• Simon's assessment that two years of genuine liquidation point to imminent rebuild, contradicting some industry forecasts of herd stability.
• The weather forecasting divergence between Bureau of Meteorology calling dry versus Art Douglas calling wet patterns
• The domestic protein shift underway in Australia: chicken now dominates at 54% market share while beef has fallen to 19.2%
• Why consumer cost-of-living pressures are driving pricing despite strong export demand: premium cuts pulled back domestically due to China and Korea safeguards; consumer pushback on high prices forcing "dumbing down" to affordable cuts.
• How the US protein obsession and rise of GLP-1 drugs is driving structural demand for protein, including beef
• The impact of the US herd being at 74-year low (86.2 million) in sixth year of decline, and carcass weights up 30% since 1990s: fed prices firm despite dips
• Why bred heifers at $6,400 USD remain insufficient to convince retention given land-use pressures and trader preferences limiting supply response.
• How farmer behaviour patterns—40% core breeders, 40% traders, 20% swing operators—explain slow rebuilding, with NSW as the key state for rebuild timing.
• The weekly yardings falling off a cliff as a classic rebuild indicator, with Victoria and Queensland showing decimation patterns consistent with the 2014-17 rebuild cycle.
• What vealer prices moving early and heifers gaining premium over cows tells Simon about the cycle turning point
• How the decline in mutton kills predicts imminent female cattle kill decline through a six-month lag, signalling the rebuild shift now underway.
• Why Angus dominance (73% of females Angus, 77% Angus-influenced in southern states) means the breed faces greatest decimation and greatest rebuild opportunity.
• Simon's price forecasts: yardings down 14% this year and 24% next year; kill volumes to 8.8M this year and 7.2M next year; feeder steers to $7.20-$7.50 July-September 2027 with Angus females having greatest first-half upside.
• Two exceptional years ahead driven by tight global supply; market-access headwinds navigable given structural beef shortage.

Contact details:

Connect with Simon via the Global AgriTrends website https://agritrends.com/

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn +

+Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +

CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Grant Garey, GM Feedlots at Teys Australia and President of the Australian Lotfeeders Association, for a conversation about feedlot industry evolution, supply chain partnerships, and global market dynamics.

Grant shares his 30 year career journey progressing from cattle station background through Sandalwood Feedlot and Cargill to lead Teys' three-feedlot operation managing 4,000 head/week and processing 35,000 cattle nationally.

Scott and Grant discuss how the feedlot industry has scaled dramatically—1.7M head on feed nationally, 80% growth over 10 years, now core infrastructure rather than supplementary. Grant advocates for balanced genetics (performance plus marbling, avoiding extremes) and long-term supplier partnerships built on honesty and consistency.

Grant explains ALFA's role as the peak industry body for feedlot sector, including government advocacy, R&D investment, and industry capability development.

With global demand strong but market access challenges ongoing, Grant sees opportunity ahead and emphasises reducing variability and achieving consistency as keys to progress.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about feedlot infrastructure, supply chain partnerships, and market opportunity.

Key topics covered:

• Grant's 30 year journey from stud background to leading Teys' three-feedlot operation feeding and processing tens of thousands of cattle weekly
• Teys Australia’s Global reach, and how they route Australian beef cuts strategically across US, Asia, and domestic markets to maximise value and meet diverse demand.
• Why the Angus breed anchors Teys' grain-fed, grass-fed, and organic production, including the flagship Certified Angus brand.
• Current market opportunities: US grain-fed demand grows despite supply constraints, while Southeast Asian markets collectively rival established regions.
• How supplier partnerships drive success at Teys, including long-term relationships built on honesty and consistency, with 25-year weekly commitments demonstrating durability.
• The importance of balanced genetics: feedlot performance, marbling, yield, and health must progress together rather than in competition with each other.
• The transformation of the feedlot industry–including 80% growth in a decade–reflecting a structural shift to core infrastructure, driven by global demand, technology, and branded beef programs.
• ALFA's role as the feedlot sector’s peak body, representing 90%+ of the sector while driving R&D, regulation, and animal welfare standards as peak industry body.
• Grant’s view on challenges ahead for the industry, including market access disruptions, regulatory environment uncertainty, and building public trust through transparency and welfare standards.
• The overall positive market outlook: strong global protein demand, Asian marbling appreciation and the gap in US production
• Grant’s core message to Angus breeders: consistency and variability reduction are the fundamental keys to ongoing improvement across the supply chain.
• The values Grant lives by and his best ever beef eating experience

Contact details:

Find out more about Teys Australia here https://au.teysgroup.com/

Find out more about ALFA here https://www.feedlots.com.au/

Find out more about BeefEx here https://www.beefex.com.au/

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn +

+Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +

CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Ced Wise, pioneering veterinary reproductive specialist, for a conversation about building reproductive technology infrastructure, mentoring the next generation, and cutting-edge research.

Ced shares his journey from mixed practice in Warwick to postgraduate study at Colorado State University under leading reproductive physiologists, returning to Australia to pioneer embryo transfer when few had heard of the technology.

Ced and Scott discuss the expansion of Ced Wise AB Services from a one-man operation to having his adult children involved, and now managing 50+ staff. They talk about the state-of-the-art processing facility at Ced’s Glen Aplin operation, and why he also built an education centre and accommodation options for up to 8 students or visiting researchers.

Ced explains some of the innovations and progress in IVF technology, when to use MOET rather than IVF, and why epigenetics is emerging as a century-defining study area.

He shares his dedication to mentoring the next generation and university research collaborations, and why client relationships are central not only to his business success but also job satisfaction.

Scott and Ced explore his advice to breeders about balancing data with the cattleman’s eye, and a message for young people getting into the industry.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about reproductive innovation, mentorship, and bridging science with farm reality.

Key topics covered:

• Ced’s 50-year veterinary career, from mixed practice (cattle, cats, dogs, poultry) to bovine reproduction specialist through the mentorship of Ced Miller
• The importance of building relationships with industry leaders (Don Henderson Inverary Polled Herefords, Geoff McCamley Lancefield Brahmans) in his career growth
• Expansion from a one-man operation to family involvement with his 3 adult children involved, and now managing 50+ staff
• Building the state-of-the-art processing facility at Glen Aplin and education centre, plus accommodation options for up to 8 students or visiting researchers
• Ced’s dedication to mentoring the next generation and addressing the university hands-on experience gap
• Sexed semen as a game-changer for commercial Angus (steers at 75/25 ratio, premium pricing potential).
• Innovations and scientific progress in IVF technology, when to use MOET vs IVF, and why epigenetics is emerging as a century-defining study area
• Research collaborations with university researchers studying DNA fragmentation, metabolites, and epigenetics effects
• Why client relationships are paramount not only to the success of Ced’s business but also to his satisfaction in the job
• Ced’s advice to breeders about combining data accuracy with phenotype assessment in order to not lose the cattleman’s eye
• The importance of mentorship from successful operators for young breeders and why patience and genuine passion are essential
• Ced’s approach to continuous learning and development including research collaborations and international conferences

Contact details:

Connect with Ced via https://cedwiseabservices.com.au/

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn +

+Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +

CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Frank Archer of Landfall Angus, and Ram Savana from Enable Ag, for a conversion about business resilience, building systems, and transforming overwhelm into opportunities.

Frank shares his 150-year old six-generation family operation, Landfall Angus, and how they became Australia’s largest registered Angus seed stock breeder. Ram shares his career pivot from biotech medical devices into farming, from farmhand work to consulting and building Enable Ag.

Frank, Ram and Scott discuss how the CREW framework has helped Frank invest in the development of his team and also his own leadership, and led to a strategic reallocation of Frank’s time from 75% farmhand work to now a 25/75 hands on/leadership split. This enabled Frank to take a three-month caravan trip with is family to test the systems they’ve built and see the farm and his staff thrive.

Frank and Ram share the key business outcomes this achieved, like reduced winter feeding and improved pasture management, as well as the importance of measuring growth internally (people, career progression) versus only looking at external indicators (bull sales).

Ram shares how other farmers can get started with this process, as well as ideas for small farms to look at community resources rather than full-time staff.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about systems, culture, delegation and building a farming business that can thrive without you.

Key topics covered:

• Frank’s 150-year old six-generation family operation, Landfall Angus, and how they became Australia’s largest registered Angus seed stock breeder
• Ram’s background in biotechnology and medical device innovation, and how he pivoted into farming and eventually built Enable Ag
• The time analysis that revealed Frank spent spent 75% of his time as farm hand, prompting a shift to 25% hands-on/75% leadership split
• Implementing Ram’s CREW framework so that Frank could take a three month holiday to test the systems and enable his staff to act without him
• Creating sustainable business resilience and both tangible outcomes (reduced winter feeding, improved pasture management) and intangible outcomes (stronger team, personal development, time freedom)
• Measuring growth internally (people, career progression) versus only looking at external indicators (bull sales).
• Breaking the Archer surname dependency, with non-family staff offering equal client value
• Intentional investment in people and systems creating lower profit but long-term sustainability
• Ram's personal story taking 4 months off for parental leave and then a 6 week holiday within the same year, while his business independence grew
• How small farms can use community resources instead of full-time staff to build team culture
• The need for continued hard conversations about future direction and family involvement when succession planning for the sixth generation

Contact details:

Connect with Ram via https://enableag.com.au/

Connect with Frank via https://www.landfall.com.au/

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn +

+Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +

CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Darryl Savage, GM Programs and Innovation at North Australian Pastoral Company for a conversation about long-term strategy, data-driven modernisation, and leading complex breeding programs at scale.

Darryl shares his 30-year meandering career journey from jackaroo to GM across Australia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He explains NAPCo’s 150-year history as a privately-owned company with 6.1M hectares, 215,000 cattle and two stabilised composite breeds.

Scott and Darryl discuss the three main markets of NAPCo’s core business, the modernisation process they have undertaken to capture data and apply AI to analyse herd performance, and the two-week carcass data feedback loop that has enabled meat quality improvements.

They explore how NAPCo maintains its remarkable company culture that has underpinned their success, the importance of scale and deliberate family-line diversity in maintaining their closed breeding program, and what Darryl views as the greatest existential threats and unprecedented opportunities for Australia’s livestock industry.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about long term strategy, data-driven innovation, and defending livestock’s future.

Key topics covered:

• Darryls’ 30-year career journey from jackaroo through roles with MLA, UNE and now NAPCo and his work in the Middle East, Africa and Asia
• NAPCo's 150-year history as a privately-owned company with 6.1M hectares, 215,000 cattle, two stabilised composite breeds (Alexandria and Kynuna).
• The three markets NAPCo’s core business focuses on: 100-day JBS bullocks, Woolworths grain-fed, and the 5 Founders branded product reaching 12 countries
• The modernisation process NAPCo has undertaken capturing data and applying AI to analyse herd performance with three main objectives (extract more value, provide ownership insights and enable sustainability transparency)
• Why NAPCo’s breeding objectives have remained the same (fertility, growth, meat quality) for 30+ years
• The ‘days to cash’ key metric that measures efficiency from birth to payment, MSA carcass feedback within two weeks to inform breeding selections, and the Polled Accelerator program targets eliminating dehorning by 2032
• How NAPCo maintains its remarkable company culture that has underpinned their success
• The importance of scale and deliberate family-line diversity in maintaining NAPCo’s closed breeding program for 30 years with 0.5% inbreeding rate
• What Darryl views as the greatest existential threats facing livestock industries today
• Positioning Australia’s grazing-based production as a competitive advantage for biodiversity preservation and the WHO One Health approach
• Darryl’s advice to young people entering the agriculture industry: be patient, be practical and never forget the energy that comes from learning

Contact details:

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn +

+Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +

CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Angus Street, CEO of Zentera Wool Company, for a conversation about career journey, crisis leadership, people-focused management, and brand value-building in agriculture.

Angus shares his journey from NSW bush kid to CEO of AuctionsPlus during COVID, via a GFC-era journalism redundancy and a stint at MLA during the live-export crisis.

Angus describes the explosive AuctionsPlus growth story during COVID—jumping from 4,000 cattle listings to 30,000 within weeks as season turned, restocking market activated, and uncertainty around auctions being essential services drove online adoption 10-15 years ahead of natural trajectory.

He emphasises that team execution and foundational work on systems, processes, culture, and people prior to COVID positioned them to manage the explosive growth and completely rebuild the platform after a critical ‘D-Day’ moment of near-failure.

Angus outlines his leadership principles and core values including curiosity, accepting failure, and honesty. He shares his personal journey during COVID involving mental health support, addressing imposter syndrome and developing a people-focused rather than command-and-control leadership style.

Now at Zentera Wool Company (formerly New Zealand Merino Company), Angus discusses the rebrand and expansion reflecting company evolution from pure Merino differentiation to value-add certification, digital traceability, and sustainability standards (ZQ and ZQ+ certification).

Angus attributes leadership effectiveness to good people and team culture, advocates for one-page strategic plans and warns Angus Australia against complacency to maintain their leadership position.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about creating luck through mentorship, leading through crisis with purpose, and building consumer-driven branded businesses in commodity agriculture.

Key topics covered:

• How Angus progressed from journalism aspirations through GFC redundancy at Fairfax to finding meaningful work at MLA during the Indonesian live export crisis
• The importance of mentorship and people reaching out with opportunities during tough times, and how it led Angus to some instrumental career turning points
• The explosive growth of AuctionsPlus during COVID, from 4,000 listings to 30,000 within weeks driven by season turn, restocking market, and online adoption acceleration
• The Critical D-Day crisis that nearly caused platform failure, how the team handled it and how they approached the rebuild decision
• Why the foundation work on systems, processes, culture, and people prior to COVID positioned AuctionsPlus to manage the explosive growth and "not drop the ball."
• Angus’ leadership principles of linking decisions to meaningful purpose, continuous alignment and feedback loops (weekly/monthly not yearly), and keeping people at heart of decision-making
• The personal mental health journey Angus went on during COVID, and moving away from command-and-control leadership toward a people-focused approach
• Core values of curiosity, accepting failure, honesty, and operating with diversity of thought rather than command-and-answer approach
• Rebranding New Zealand Merino Company to Zentera Wool Company, a value-add wool business built on certification (ZQ, ZQ+), digital traceability, long-term contracts and the consumer shift from synthetics to natural fibres
• Zentera’s geographic expansion from New Zealand to Australia and South Africa driven by demand for animal welfare certification and sustainability standards
• Long-term offtake agreements (5-10 years) providing price certainty and 15-20% premium versus commodity wool market volatility
• The power of a one-page strategic plan to force clarity and consistency, and building in regular review cycles (6-12 months for fast-moving sectors, 3 years for stable industry bodies)
• The warning against complacency for the Angus industry, using Jim Collins' How the Mighty Have Fallen framing leadership as maintaining position not defending turf.

Contact details:

Contact Angus or Zentera Wool via the website https://www.zenterawool.com/

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn +

+Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +

CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Sarah Horrocks from Horrocks Media, for a conversation about social media strategy, brand building, and marketing for Angus cattle breeders.

Sarah shares her journey from photographer and journalist at New Zealand Herald in Auckland to giving up her journalism career in 2014 to move a sheep and beef farm, meeting Guy Sargent through a dinner party introduction which led to a role with Angus New Zealand and AngusPure NZ.

She discusses instrumental work developing AngusPRO brand identity, creating the AngusPRO publication sent to 24,000 New Zealand farmers alongside Beef Country magazine and the recent transition to e-book format improving measurability.

Sarah and Scott discuss her values, her goal to make the industry better, and how Guy Sargent’s mentorship has shaped her career.

Sarah explains platform strategy for farmers, consistency rewarded by algorithms, why year-round posting beats sale-season hammering, video content as algorithmic priority, common mistakes costing breeder reach, building trust through authenticity, Angus Australia's growth to 2-3 million monthly viewers, e-book advantages over print, and why AI should enhance not replace creativity.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about authentic storytelling, social media fundamentals, and building trust through consistent brand presence.

Key topics covered:

• Sarah's background as a photographer at New Zealand Herald transitioning to rural sheep and beef farming, and marketing career development through AngusPure NZ
• Developing the AngusPRO brand identity and differentiation strategy, educating farmers about Australian-registered vs New Zealand-registered Angus genetics
• AngusPRO publication expansion reaching 24,000 New Zealand farmers via partnership with Beef Country magazine
• The transition to e-book format improving measurement (27,000 opens), reducing advertising costs 68% while maintaining reach, enabling video integration in advertisements
• Why Sarah advises farmers to assess target market before selecting a social media platform
• Facebook and Instagram as general priority platforms for farmers versus TikTok for younger audiences
• Consistency rewarded by algorithms regardless of posting frequency, with 2-3 times weekly off-season ramping to daily during sale season as ideal strategy
• Common mistakes, including sale-season-only posting, missing contact information in bios, lack of image libraries, and not identifying a point of difference from competitors
• Why video content is the king of engagement, with watch time, saves, shares, and comments metrics outweighing follower counts
• Types of trust building year-round content, such as showcasing calving, scanning, tagging, and management practices so audiences feel they know your operation
• Sarah’s work on the Angus Australia social media explosion from 10,000 to 2-3 million monthly viewers through consistent video content
• How members can benefit through Angus Australia’s collaboration guidelines and member engagement framework
• Why authenticity and storytelling are the most powerful marketing tools and the benefits of including the good, bad, and ugly of farming operations rather than polished highlights only
• The difference between using AI as an administrative tool versus a creativity killer, with emphasis on maintaining human thinking and avoiding important career-building junior roles being automated away
• About Sarah’s values of professional integrity and relationships, as well as career mentorship from Guy Sargent

Contact details:

Contact Sarah via her website https://www.horrocksmedia.com/ or @sarahhorrocksmedia on Instagram

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn +

+Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +

CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Jeremy and Julie Shaw at their kitchen table at Injune Queensland to discuss JS Grazing, a 24,000-25,000 acre commercial Angus operation running 1,100 breeders.

Jeremy shares family farming heritage on the property dating back to his grandfather, the transition from Herefords to Angus 30+ years ago after observing black cattle performance in feedlots, and evolution from selling all weaners at one Roma sale to establishing a premier commercial heifer sale with $300-500 premium over market rate.

Julie describes their organic brand building through photography and social media storytelling, consistency focus breeding animals that look like "peas in a pod," their long-term partnership with Millah Murrah (17-18 years), and simple breeding philosophy of producing good females.

Jeremy and Julie emphasise values of family, staying true to type and breed character, consistency in production, and long-term relationship building with genetics partners. They address future expansion challenges in expensive country, commitment to stepping up operations before their sons return home, and a conviction that Angus will continue growing in western Queensland through crossbreeding adoption and market acceptance.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about building commercial brand leadership, staying true to breed fundamentals, and compound success through simple, consistent farming practices.

Key topics covered:

• How Jeremy and Julie transitioned a family farm from Herefords to Angus 30+ years ago after observing superior feedlot performance and market acceptance of black cattle
• Why establishing a premier commercial heifer sale organically evolved from recognising heifers were outdoing steers and strong market interest in their female genetics
• How Julie's photography and social media storytelling built JS Grazing brand recognition and following across Australia
• The power of consistency as a breeding philosophy aiming for cattle that look like peas in a pod while lifting the average across entire herds
• Driving rapid genetic improvement and visible herd lift using AI program exclusively on heifers
• Why long-term partnership with Millah Murrah (17-18 years) adds value through shared breeding philosophy, sire line conversations, and mutual relationship benefits
• The importance of phenotype-led selection using balanced EBVs avoiding extreme pushes in any single trait for sustainable cattle suited to Western Qld country
• How integrity-focused approach of letting cattle speak for themselves builds premium ($300-500/head) without marketing hype or direct selling pressure
• Why cow and bull longevity (12-13 years and 8-10 years respectively) reflects quality genetics and active management through first joining period.
• The challenges of expanding their operation in expensive country and balancing family farming goals with scaling opportunities through western or southern diversification
• Why their best beef eating experiences come from home-raised animals shared with family

Contact details:

Contact Jeremy and Julie via their JS Grazing website https://jshaw.com.au/

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn +

+Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +

CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Zeke Bennett, founder of Maintain Me landscaping and operator of Zele Angus stud in Gippsland Victoria, for a conversation about building scalable businesses, implementing systems, and authentic marketing.

Zeke shares his unconventional journey from high school dropout with hydroponic tomato and poultry farming background (3,000 free-range hens by age 14), national competitive swimming and circus acrobatics, banking receptionist role, and launching Maintain Me landscaping in Sydney by mowing lawns and taking heavy laboring work.

He discusses scaling Maintain Me from sole operator to 18-20 full-time staff through four years of trial-and-error system development at $200,000+ cost while maintaining quality standards, and transitioning to his Angus operation on a run down farm in Shady Creek near Warragul.

Scott and Zeke discuss how systems-thinking from Maintain Me applies to farm operations, authentic unscripted social media marketing generating interstate sales, expensive first-herd lessons, breeding focus on temperament and feet, the Gen Angus program impact, and why farmers are their own best brand ambassadors.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about building systems across industries, authentic storytelling, and creating businesses that scale without losing quality.

Key topics covered:

• How Zeke progressed from high school dropout through poultry farming and circus acrobatics to founding Maintain Me landscaping and now operating Zele Angus stud
• On creating competitive advantage in the Sydney market by implementing an innovative online booking system and systems/processes in landscaping industry
• Scaling Maintain Me from sole operator to 18-20 full-time staff through four years of trial-and-error system development at $200,000+ cost while maintaining quality standards
• How Zeke transitioned Maintain Me operations from hands-on daily work to managing 20 staff interstate from Gippsland by gradually reducing days spent in Sydney over multiple years
• Why Zeke applies business systems and investment thinking from landscaping to farm operations focusing on time-saving, safety improvements, and animal productivity
• How an expensive first APR herd purchase taught valuable lessons leading to focus on HBR genetics and improved selection criteria
• Why Zeke's breeding objectives prioritise quiet temperament, sound feet, and easy calving from commercial F1 background experience and market needs
• How authentic unscripted social media marketing (never direct selling, just showing daily work) generates sales and interest from interstate clients without traditional advertising
• Why Zeke keeps the landscaping business separate from Angus marketing and avoids mentioning Sydney company publicly to maintain authentic farm-focused brand
• The importance of speaking to people, asking questions, and building networks without revealing all ideas prematurely

Contact details:

Contact Zeke via the Zele Angus website https://zele.com.au/

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/

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CREDITS:

Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email [email protected]

Producer: Mel Strasburg [email protected]

Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au