Angus Underground

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com 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.

Recaps of Beef Leaders Institute and Ranching for Profit Events Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

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:

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

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.

Where do you fit in? Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

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:

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com 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.

Ag Lending and Finance with Kevin Renwick Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

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:

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

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.

Artificial Insemination May 19, 2023

Show notes

The Underground gang discusses the ins and outs of estrous synchronization and Vince's obsession with "Farmer Finds a Wife".

Mentioned in this Episode:

“Gene-editing technology used to produce first BVDV resistant calf”

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

Quotes:

“Praise God we have high cattle prices and some optimism right now in this business because the challenges have not gone away. That’s for sure.” — [8:04]
“I don’t think we as a breed can withstand gene editing forever.” — [11:01]
“How many freaking real breeders are we are there left? Because it seems like the majority of guys are just using the science, the almighty science.” — [11:38]
“Breeding cattle, for your family, for the productivity, and your own balance sheet should be topic number one.” — [15:21]
“Gene editing is almost just a distraction from what’s really important in life.” — [16:18]
“There's no substitution for knowing the cow. There’s no substitute.” — [40:36]

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

Going to Grass with Tom Brooks and Gary Felger May 05, 2023

Show notes

David and Korbin start this week by talking with Vince about his recent production sale and how he got through that dreaded presale speech. They then welcome two guests to talk about going to grass with your cattle and how to make that transition really simple and easy. First up is Tom Brooks, animal health expert, financial advisor, and author of Paid in Full: A Guide to Financial Freedom. Tom talks about parasite control and then transitions to getting and staying out of debt.

Then, Gary Felger from Altosid IGR joins the show to talk about his upbringing growing up on a grain and livestock farm in Indiana, and more about Altosid IGR’s product and how it impacts the fly population.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Paid In Full: A Guide to Financial Freedom

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

Altosid IGR

Quotes:

“One thing I have found is that these parasites are extremely smart.” — Tom [21:18]
“I think rotation is a great idea because you’re showing the worm something different. You’re living in your internal resistance, and you’re also utilizing the products at the best time for the best usage for efficacy for the animal.” — Tom [31:32]
“It does take both people. If one person is nervous and doesn’t want to talk about money or know about money, or just doesn’t even want to bring the subject up, it makes it difficult to have a game plan for the team.” — Tom [43:37]
“I'm a believer in emergency funds. But I’m also a believer that you continue to save. To me saving is a habit.” — Tom [51:28]

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

Livestock Photography with Andy Higgins Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

It’s a super cool and insightful episode this week as the crew welcomes Andy Higgins, a livestock photographer and accomplished Angus Breeder from Auburntown, Tennessee. Andy shares valuable insights on capturing great cattle photos for catalogs and promotional ads. Before diving into the best practices for photography techniques, Andy discusses his background and how he got into the livestock photography business. He emphasizes the importance of highlighting an animal’s unique strengths and using good equipment to achieve the best representation in a photograph. Andy also shares common mistakes that photographers make when working with cattle and provides tips for capturing great photos of them in their natural environment. He stresses the importance of sunlight and suggests questions producers should ask photographers before hiring them or establishing a relationship.

Mentioned in this Episode:

InsureMyBull.com

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

AltosidIGR

Quotes:

“We try to keep them real-world and functional. And if they're good enough to show and be successful, that's our goal.” — Andy
“Still learn something every day, when you're not taking pictures.” — Andy
“That's the way to get better. Just keep doing it and keep learning by trial and error.” — Andy
“There is absolutely no substitute for sunlight.” — Andy
“I think that’s a very important part of getting a good photo, keeping these cattle in a natural environment.” — Andy
“That’s what photography is about; it’s getting the best representation of that animal within that image and really showing off their strengths.” — Andy

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

Vertical Integration with Rob Spencer of Blackrose Angus Ranch Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

The hosts welcome Rob Spencer from Blackrose Angus Ranch in Culbertson, NE to discuss the often-intimidating concept of vertical integration. They explore its impact and what it means for industries, specifically in the context of the cattle industry with contract and ownership integration. Rob shares his personal experience with vertical integration in the pork industry and how it affected his operation. Listen in to gain a better understanding of what vertical integration looks like in various industries and what the future of the cattle industry may hold.

Mentioned in this Episode:

ShadyBrookAngusFarm.com

InsureMyBull.com

Legacy Farms

Blackrose Angus Ranch

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

Quotes:

“We’ve come a long way in this breed because I don’t think I could tolerate the frustration that he (dad) dealt with at that time.” — Rob
“I judge a lot of people that I want to deal with by their breeding philosophy. I think that’s very important.” — Rob
“I think part of my philosophy is that I set my bar very high for my cows. The cows are the most important thing that I do.” — Rob
“We’ve had these multi-generational relationships with ranchers who are in our local to regional area. That plays very much into where I think this is going and how one should set themselves up to succeed.” — David
“There’s nothing like the independent producer to keep us resilient through our diversity of thought or diversity of production.” — Joe

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

A Pivotal Decision for the Future Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, the hosts outline the gene editing debate lying before the Angus Board of Directors. After explaining the issue at hand and the nuances of the relationship of gene editing to genetically modified organisms, they explore the benefits and the myriad of potential unintended consequences. From advancing herd health to the fear of alienating consumers, David, Joe, Korbin, and Vince leave no stone unturned in this discussion.

Mentioned in this Episode:

ShadyBrookAngusFarm.com

InsureMyBull.com

Legacy Farms

Contact AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com or call (406) 210-1366 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Angus Underground.

Quotes:

“This is a very, very difficult issue. And it’s one that really requires a lot of insight and thought from the membership.”
“If we let these gene edits in, this will be a game changer. Game changer.”
“Gene editing in its simplest form is basically the addition, subtraction or replacement of genes.”
“If the genetic material is an alphabet, we’re still eating the same alphabet, we just rearranged the letters.”

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

A Chat with Bud Koupal Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

David, Joe, and Korbin visit with good friend, rock star, and master breeder, Bud Koupal, owner of Koupal's B&B Angus, Dante, SD. During their conversation, Bud shared his personal background and his journey in the industry, from naming a show heifer after a crush to running a successful family operation. Bud also delved into the secrets behind Koupal's long-term success as a family-owned business, as well as his breeding philosophies and the noteworthy cow families he has developed. The group also discussed the importance of maintaining a customer list, managing in-house expenses, and creating an event-like experience for customers.

Mentioned in this Episode:

ShadyBrookAngusFarm.com

GeneBrokers.com

UpchurchBrothers.com

Koupal’s B&B Angus