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 AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com 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 AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com 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 AngusUnderground@Yahoo.com 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]