Episodes
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In this episode of the Angus Underground, host David and Seana Brown reflect on their hiatus, the reasons behind it, and the renewed focus of the podcast. They discuss the optimism in the Angus business following recent events, community engagement through charity efforts, and share personal Christmas memories. The episode features a guest, Tammy Bartholomew, who discusses her background in agriculture, her work in youth education, and the importance of creating a culture of excellence in the agricultural workforce. The conversation explores the generational gaps in leadership and work ethic, particularly in the agricultural sector. It discusses the need for mentorship and hands-on learning experiences to prepare the next generation for careers in agriculture. The impact of instant gratification on youth engagement and the importance of viewing the agricultural industry as a complete system are also highlighted. The discussion emphasizes the role of education and mentorship in fostering a strong work ethic and leadership skills among young people.
To learn more about Tammy's work, go to ShowMeAg.org.
Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, InsureMyBull.com
For more information on Montana Ranch and The Angus Underground, please visit MontanaRanchAngus.com. -
Hurricane Helene struck the Southern and Mid-Atlantic agricultural regions hard, leaving billions in damages. In response, Elizabeth Marshall of Glenmary Farms launched the Help Us, Help Them benefit auction on SaleRing.live to rally support for those impacted. In this episode, David talks with Elizabeth, volunteer Bethany Daigle, and Chris Mackey from the TN Ag Extension Service about how this auction can bring real relief to devastated farming communities.
Auction Details:
Date: Monday, November 4thBidding: Opens at 7 AM ET; extended bidding begins at 7 PM ETFunds Distribution: 100% of proceeds go directly to the Virginia Cattlemen's Foundation, Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee Fund, South Carolina Cattlemen's Foundation, North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, and Georgia Cattlemen's FoundationJoin us to support those hardest hit by bidding on unique items, with all proceeds directly aiding the agricultural community’s recovery.
Mentioned in this Episode:
SaleRing.live
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.
Elizabeth Marshall
Glenmary Farm
Bethany Daigle, Active Community Member/Volunteer
Chris Mackey, TN Ag Extension Service
Quotes:
“I had it on my heart to try to do something. … I felt like, given my position with SaleRing.live, there was a tool in my toolbox to help these people.” — Elizabeth [4:16]“It’s easy to look at something that’s miles and miles away and turn your head to it and think that it’s never going to impact you, and you may be the person at some point that needs that kind of help and outreach.” — David [7:13]“It’s a really humbling experience to see your town turn into ground zero.” — Bethany [15:00]“The one good thing about America is we are a society that takes care of our own.” — David [16:40]“Honestly, about 2% of the world is bad. The other 98% is really awesome.” — Chris [29:40] -
Episodes manquant?
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The show kicks off with a heartfelt discussion about the devastating storms that recently hit the Southeast and East, sharing their concerns for friends, colleagues, and listeners. They also highlight the upcoming Help Us Help Them benefit sale on SaleRing.live, Monday, November 4th at 7 p.m. EST, aimed at supporting those affected. From there, the team discusses the pros and cons of bull test stations before answering listener questions about everything from optimizing embryo production to finding the right balance between maternal and terminal traits in breeding programs.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.com
BucksnortRanch.org
SaleRing.live
Facebook @AngusUnderground
Instagram @AngusUnderground
Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.
Quotes:
“Do not expect them to sell them for you, because that’s not what’s going to happen.” [26:21]“I think the heart, the heart of a bull test station… There’s no more appropriate time for that in this breed than right now. We need to be verifying cattle.” [28:04]“There is a difference. Do your research, because not every test station is created equal. Ultimately, as a breeder, you have to analyze where you are and where you want to go.” [31:17]“As long as that cow’s having a calf, sometimes you can get along pretty good.” [47:16]“Balance is what keeps people in business.” [52:28]“Raise some good cattle that don’t cause people problems, and that’s all the way from conception until it’s eaten on a plate." [52:28] -
David is joined by returning guest Josh Stroh, a beef nutritionist from Hubbard Feeds. Josh talks about the critical aspects of bull development, from feeding protocols to achieving long-term herd success. Josh shares some great tips for maintaining gut health, optimizing feed intake, and managing bulls to ensure they're in peak condition for breeding. He also discusses how to avoid overfeeding, the importance of consistency in feeding schedules, and strategies for improving skeletal and muscle development.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Hubbard Feeds
BlueprintAnimalNutrition.com
CreekInsure.com
MontanaRanchAngus.com
BucksnortRanch.org
SaleRing.live
Facebook @AngusUnderground
Instagram @AngusUnderground
Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.
Quotes:
“You want bulls that are muscular and masculine, not couch potatoes.” — David [10:07]“You’ve got to find that happy medium — get the right development and gain without making them too fat.” — David [10:23]“Bulls are athletes. We need to treat them like young men in football practice.” — Josh [11:32]“Consistency is key. Slow and steady wins the race.” — Josh [21:03]“Attention to detail is everything in this business.” — David [21:38]“Cattle are habitual. They have this internal clock, and consistency in feeding is everything.” — David [23:00] -
In this episode, David, Joe, and Vince are joined by special guest Mark Nold from Gettysburg, South Dakota. Mark shares insights from his work with the family operation of Nold Family Angus and Nold Animal Supply, focusing on the critical topic of pre-conditioning and weaning calves. They chat with Mark about vaccination protocols, parasite control, and how to set calves up for success during the stressful weaning process. Mark offers his recommendations on vaccination timing, nutritional support, and practical management strategies to minimize stress on herds and boost immune health.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Nold Family Angus
Nold Animal Supply
Vitalix
FaithAngusFarms.com
Upchurchbrothers.com
MontanaRanchAngus.com
BucksnortRanch.org
SaleRing.live
BruinRanch.com
ShadyBrookAngusFarm.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:
“Mother Nature always wins.” — Mark [28:40]“Number one, develop a relationship with your local vet. And number two, when you have a problem, get them involved and let them use their mind to help you solve that problem and set up the vaccine protocol that’s more geared towards their circumstances.” [34:04]“I’m always on the war against the parasite.” — Mark [1:04:09] -
Joe, Korbin, and Vince sit down to chat about the recent calving season, including the impact of drought on cattle operations and the challenges of maintaining healthy herds during tough conditions. They share insights into managing feed shortages, early calving issues, and the importance of mental health during these stressful times. The guys then focus on the topic of what makes a cow a donor and the careful considerations involved in choosing the right animals for breeding. They highlight what they’ve learned about managing genetics, selecting bulls, and navigating the complexities of embryo transfer programs.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.com
CreekInsure.com
SaleRing.live
BruinRanch.com
ShadyBrookAngusFarm.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:
“Even if it crashes and burns now, it was still worth it. And that’s just saying, you know, even if I go have a bad sale next year, it will still be worth it.” [1:39]“Everybody wants to know some secret sauce to these marketing keys about getting people there. And what I’ve found is if you’re able to show your passion with people, the people will find you who think like you, and they’ll show up.” [2:12]“I’m hopeful that a listener will hear this, and they will say, ‘You know what? Joe’s gone through that, and he’s had to sort through it, or he’s had friends go through it. And I’m not alone, because we don’t talk about mental health nearly enough in this ag business.” [11:57]“I’ll be the first one to tell you guys that I struggle with it every day. It’s one of those things that when you’re running cows and things aren’t going well, whenever it gets dry and I don’t have any grass and I don’t have any way to get any feed, and I don’t have hay, it gets tough. I just want everyone else to realize that they’re not alone in that. I’m sharing those same problems you are having.” [12:42]“I think a lot of times, if you had that mindset instead of, ‘Boy, how can I make her better?’ It’s more like, ‘How can I not screw this thing up? How can I make another one just like her?’” [43:08] -
The full crew is back and here to celebrate their third anniversary! They share updates on their busy summers — from calving and crop work to family vacations. They then reflect on the podcast’s evolution, the valuable connections they’ve made with listeners, and the profound gratitude they feel for the overwhelming support that has sustained the show. Everyone agrees how the podcast experience has instilled lessons in humility, discipline, and maintaining perspective — so thank you, and here’s to the next three years ahead.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.com
BruinRanch.com
SaleRing.live
ShadyBrookAngusFarm.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:
“Perspective means everything when it comes to forming an opinion.” [1:07:16]“To be able to actually see that on this podcast we have made people’s lives easier and solved a problem for someone means a lot to me. It’s absolutely my favorite part.” [1:18:44] -
This week, David welcomes Darris Meitler of Meitler Cattle in Lucas, KS and Brent Lonker of Lonker Cattle in Fresno, CA. They dive into the principles for selecting cattle for functional efficiency, as taught by Dr. Jan Bonsma, a renowned animal scientist from South Africa. Darris and Brent share insights on Bonsma’s approach to evaluating cattle based on visual indicators of hormonal balance and adaptability, and how these principles can be applied to improve herd productivity and longevity.
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.
MeitlerCattle.com
The Bonsma All_Breeds Cattle Group
Quotes:
“Three of my favorite things — wine, beef, and the fine art of breeding cattle.” [1:44]“The great cattlemen are already breeding Bonsma-type cattle, they just don’t realize it.” [3:00]“If you want to breed great cattle, it basically consists of three equal parts of observation, management, and science.” [29:57]“Your cow herds are no better than the mothers of the bulls you’re using, and so that should tell you exactly where you’re at.” — Brent [32:43]“If you apply the principles and you’re making those close decisions, the percentages are going to increase in your favor.” — Brent [1:26:03] -
Dallas Woltemath, Advisor to ZWT Ranch, joins David and Vince to discuss the most influential cows in Angus breed history. The trio recaps a list of the top cows based on their own personal experience and input from the Angus community on social media. They discuss phenotypes, maternal lines, and their impact on shaping the modern Angus breed.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.com
BruinRanch.com
ShadyBrookAngusFarm.com
Facebook @AngusUnderground
Instagram @AngusUnderground
Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.
CreekInsure.com
ZWT Ranch
Quotes:
“It was interesting to see the common ground that a lot of people landed on and then get some ideas of cows that maybe you wouldn’t have thought of right off the top of your head.” — Dallas [4:40]“She was an impressive beast, for sure.” -
David welcomes veterinarian Dr. Beth Blevins of All Creatures Mobile Veterinary Clinic and Rafter E Angus in Ronan, MT. They discuss the challenges of managing outbreaks like rotavirus and the importance of testing for diseases such as BVD and Johne’s disease. Dr. Beth gives her expert advice on prevention strategies, biosecurity measures, and the latest developments in cattle health management.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.com
BruinRanch.com
ShadyBrookAngusFarm.com
Facebook @AngusUnderground
Instagram @AngusUnderground
Contact [email protected] or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.
CreekInsure.com
All Creatures Mobile Clinic
Rafter E Angus
Quotes:
“It’s a roll of the dice when you test, but I think as a seed stock producer, we have an obligation.”“If we’re selling cattle to others to use in a breeding operation, whether it’s commercial, or whether it’s purebred, we have an obligation to make sure that these cattle are free of these infectious diseases.” -
Joe, Vince, and Korbin celebrate the peak of summer, discussing preferred times and methods for cattle shows and favorite warm-weather activities with their herds. They then talk about the nuances of working alongside family, acknowledging both the rewards and challenges that can come with it. They talk about the importance of fostering family-like relationships with employees and the value of letting kids learn from their own mistakes.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.com
BruinRanch.com
ShadyBrookAngusFarm.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:
“You show your banker your grass in the morning and your cows in the evening.” [4:26]“Commercial cattlemen don’t want a lot out of the cattle. They just want them to do what you say they will do.” [7:23]“Investing in our kids is super important.” [11:50] -
David is joined by return guest, Dave Mullins. Dave is the former Angus Association Regional Manager, Consultant for leading Angus herds throughout the county, livestock auctioneer, and founder of the online sales platform SaleRing.Live. Dave first shares the latest at SaleRing and why he’s optimistic about the future of the Angus industry. He and David then discuss building a successful business through your culture, network, and branding.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.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.
SaleRing.Live
CreekInsure.com
Quotes:
“In a world where they struggle and people say good help is hard to find, I’ve been blessed.” — Dave [6:59]“Believe in what you want to do, even when it may not be the most popular. That’s okay. Own your lane.” — Dave [23:40]“Branding is the art of differentiation.” — David Brier [29:10]“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” — Warren Buffett [29:16]You have to let people know who you are, and what you are.” — David [32:06]“From a professional standpoint, the greatest blessing I have and will ever receive is the friendships and network that I have accumulated over the last 25 years across this country. Period.” — Dave [36:15]“There's nothing that will pay dividends like your network.” — Dave [38:29] -
It’s a fun week this week as the crew covers the upcoming American Angus Association sire evaluation update. Then they dive into different approaches for wintering cattle, grazing management, and vaccination practices across climates. The guys also talk through their preparation process for moving cattle to pasture as the season changes. During the “Grumpy Old Men” segment, the guys question what the main obligation is for customers in the industry.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.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:
“It’s amazing to me how different I would run things if I didn’t have to catch these cows all the time.” [36:13]“The more information I can have, the better on these cows.” [53:01]“If you are a young fellow wanting to get established in this business, the last thing you want is a bad reputation for being a slow payer, or a no payer!” [1:13:14] -
This week, the crew first welcomes Kylie Sherrill from Central Life Sciences, who joins to discuss Altosid IGR feed-through supplement for controlling horn flies in cattle and how producers can integrate it into their mineral programs. They then get into the valuable resources of time, and their tips and tricks for time management, including documenting everything in a calendar and scheduling important projects. They also touch on the challenges of multitasking, their biggest time drains, and the beauty of keeping things simple and doing what works best for your operation.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.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.
CreekInsure.com
AltosidIGR.com
Quotes:
“Genetic potential and the realistic ability to express those things are two completely different things.” [24:32]“What's the most valuable resource of your life? Time. You can’t make more of it.” [50:12] -
David welcomes Jake Phillips from Australia, who shares his experience learning about the U.S. beef cattle industry through an extensive sponsored trip. Jake details his five-week trip across the U.S., including visits to renowned seedstock operations, universities, cattle conferences, and more. He and David talk about the importance of networking, lessons learned in operation culture and character, and the reminder that often the quality of the cattle is really correlated to the quality of the people.
Mentioned in this Episode:
MontanaRanchAngus.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.
SaleRing.live
Jake Phillips
Angus Australia
Quotes:
“It's about bringing people together.” — Jake [23:11]“We really need to be playing at the highest quality. It doesn't matter if it's grapes, oranges, beef, or lamb, and that really starts with the people. The people growing it, producing it, and then marketing it.” — Jake [34:33]“The question I had was, is it possible for a first generation seedstock operation to happen in one generation?” — Jake [35:50]“Quite often the quality of the cattle is really correlated to the quality of the people.” [1:22:21] -
It’s all about genomics this week, with special guest Jim Johnson from Zoetis Animal Genetics. Jim, who owns JMar Genetics in Appomattox, VA, explains how genomic testing works and how markers are used to predict traits. He discusses how genomics can help breeders make genetic progress faster while emphasizing that the direction breeders choose is up to them. Jim also provides insight into the accuracy of genomic tests and how environmental factors may influence genetic expression.
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.
Crooked Creek Angus
Creek Insure
Upchurch Angus
Brands and Barbed Wire
Zoetis
JMAR Genetics
Lawson Family Farms
Quotes:
“Figure out where you want to go and be disciplined about heading in that direction.” — Jim [18:27]“I spent my whole career educating people and I just want to entertain people. I want people to get the opportunity to tell their stories.” — Jim [24:40]“I want an opportunity for somebody's grandkid in 10 years to go back and hear their grandfather's story.” — Jim [25:04]“If you want to run as fast as you can for longevity, fertility, and predictability, genomics will help you get there.” — Jim [50:29] -
This week, a conversation with a loyal listener sparks a conversation amongst the crew on the topic of pedigree snobbery and intentional breeding. They debate the use of historic sires like Complete after examining pedigree awareness and goals. They also emphasize balancing lineage relevance with discipline, and how clear objectives guide effective selection toward a breeder’s vision.
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.
Crooked Creek Angus
Dr. Madhi Saatchi
Salering.live
Quotes:
“Everybody finds something different, and that’s what I think is so neat.” [9:59]“If you don’t have a program in mind; if you don’t have a goal in mind, you are still going to sell all of your experiments right through to the commercial industry where those folks live and die by the fun you’re having.” [15:40]“If you can’t find a good seedstock provider, be one.” [15:51]“Figure out where you want to go with your program. That should be first.” [17:10]“Consider whose opinions you’re gonna get on social media.” [18:39]“I think we all have a little bit of pedigree snob in us.” [23:50]“Being pedigree aware is really, really important and you don’t have to be a snob about it.” [30:50]“If you really want to get to this objective you’re breeding towards, you’ve got to use your own sires, and you’ve got to stay disciplined and on course.” [56:44]“There is a big difference between pedigree snob and pedigree educated, much different.” [1:02:46] -
It’s all about minerals this week with guest Josh Stroh, Beef Nutritionist with Hubbard Feeds. Josh addresses the importance of minerals for cattle health and productivity, how minerals support reproduction and growth, and how mineral needs can differ significantly depending on location. He talks about how producers can evaluate their mineral programs suitable for their operations and environments.
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.
Cooked Creek Angus
InsureMyBull.com
Hubbard Feeds
Quotes:
“Think of it as tools in your tool shed and you’re just equipping that animal to maximize the kind of performance levels you want.” — Josh [9:42]“Whoever you’re buying your mineral product from, if they aren’t making you money with their product, don't buy it.” — Josh [24:28]“I think it comes back to who you trust, who you want to deal with, what you're comfortable with. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” — Josh [1:13:09] -
The crew welcomes the distinguished Robert Whitacre, co-owner of Breeder Link in Winchester, Virginia. In a topic timely for spring breeding, Robert talks about the best estrus synchronization protocols and methods, along with some cool tools to help make synchronization easier and more effective. The guys also talk about the importance of selecting the best protocol based on management abilities and heifer development.
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.
BreederLink.com
MarshallandFennerFarms.com
Quotes:
“At the end of the day, if the heifers are not cycling, nothing is going to make them cycle. Nothing is going to make them breed. It’s just nature, and it’s got to run its course.” [31:56]“You can’t highlight it enough, understanding what your people are capable of and what your facilities are capable of with your management and time.” [50:54]“Sometimes, we just need to know what our management is capable of or not before deciding a breeding endeavor.” [1:07:04]“We want to work with like-minded people and like-minded breeders.” — Robert [1:38:38] -
David and Seana welcome Brent and Tina Vieselmeyer of Vision Angus in Amherst, CO. They first share the story of their journey towards a healthier lifestyle and the importance of accountability through a support network. Brent and Tina then talk about the customer-centric approach at Vision Angus and what we can expect at their annual production and bull sale in March.
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.
Montana Ranch
Vision Angus
Dr. A’s Habits of Health
Optavia
Quotes:
“Be part of a network of support in whatever journey you’re in.” — Brent [20:46]“Part of our struggle is that we think we can do things ourselves, and we can change ourselves, when you really need a whole network of support to start making subtle changes.” — Tina [26:29]“We need that time away to trigger our creativity. I think you have to spur that creativity sometimes.” [1:03:55]“I think that the two key words that really just describe our program are balance and predictability.” — Tina [1:10:10] - Montre plus
