After a summer hiatus, David Brown returns to Angus Underground with longtime friend and repeat guest Dave Mullins for a candid conversation about the current Angus business, the cattle market, and the opportunities facing breeders today. David opens with updates from Montana Ranch before diving into his thoughts on the American Angus Association’s Data Driven Herd recognition program, the importance of submitting real-world performance data, and recent changes surrounding genetic testing and AI certificate requirements. While never shy about sharing his frustrations, David’s larger message remains consistent: meaningful data collection matters, particularly as genomics continue to play a larger role in cattle evaluation.

From there, David and Dave turn to what they describe as an unprecedented cattle market. Despite drought conditions, market volatility, and challenges such as New World screwworm concerns, demand for quality Angus genetics remains remarkably strong. They examine why traditional “sale seasons” are becoming less relevant, with successful production and frozen genetics sales happening throughout the year. Dave explains that today’s buyers are increasingly willing to invest whenever the right genetics become available—whether they’re looking for embryos for an upcoming IVF cycle, a donor cow to advance their program, or genetics that fit a very specific breeding philosophy.

Ultimately, the conversation centers on intentionality. David and Dave encourage breeders to determine exactly what they want their program to accomplish, reverse engineer the path to get there, and resist being distracted by industry noise or someone else’s definition of success. Whether a breeder focuses on maternal cattle, performance genetics, carcass traits, show cattle, or another segment entirely, there is room within the Angus breed for different approaches. Their message to both established and young producers is simple: build a good product, communicate clearly why it matters, understand your customer, and become exceptionally good at serving your particular segment of the cattle business.

Key Discussion Points

The return of Angus Underground after a busy summer at Montana Ranch
American Angus Association’s Data Driven Herd recognition program
Why real-world performance data remains important alongside genomics
Genetic defect testing and AI certificate requirements
Current cattle inventory and historically strong market conditions
New World screwworm concerns and cattle-market volatility
Record demand for registered Angus cattle and genetics
Why traditional spring and fall “sale seasons” are changing
Growing opportunities for year-round embryo and semen sales
How IVF has changed the timing of frozen-genetics purchases
The diversity of today’s Angus breeders and buyers
Finding the right customer instead of trying to appeal to everyone
Building a breeding program around intentionality and consistency
“Reverse engineering” your operation from the outcome you want
Why breeders should learn from successful programs—even those with completely different philosophies
Opportunities for young people looking to build careers in the cattle industry

🎧 Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Creek Insurance

Livestock producer David Yackley discusses the risks cattlemen face from weather, disease, injury, longhorn ticks, and New World screwworm.

Livestock mortality coverage includes:

Individual animals
Entire herds
Livestock losses resulting from covered risks

Phone: 360-266-8000
Website: insuremybull.com

Got Any Cows? Podcast

Hosted by Seth Christensen of Christensen Genetics, the Got Any Cows? Podcast explores the realities of operating a cattle business and building a sustainable ranching operation.

Topics include:

Artificial insemination (AI)
Embryo transfer
IVF
Production practices
Finance
Marketing
Akaushi genetics and Wagyu-quality beef
Angus cattle and breeding programs

Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Website: gotanycows.com

Empower Ag Trading

Empower Ag Trading helps cattle producers navigate market volatility and make more informed marketing and risk-management decisions.

Services include:

Cattle and grain marketing
Futures and options trade execution
Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)
Market information and analysis
Risk-management planning

Website: empoweragtrading.com

Futures and options involve significant risk and may not be suitable for everyone. Empower Ag Insure is an equal opportunity provider.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned

Compass Livestock — Dave Mullins: compasslivestock247.com
SaleRing.live — Online livestock sales platform: SaleRing.live
Angus Underground Community Group on Facebook
Got Any Cows Podcast: gotanycows.com
Creek Insurance: insuremybull.com
Empower Ag Trading: empoweragtrading.com
Montana Ranch: montanaranchangus.com

Closing Takeaway

This episode is ultimately a reminder that there may be more opportunity in the cattle business today than at any other point in recent memory. David and Dave encourage producers to stop chasing every industry trend, determine what they believe in, understand the customer they want to serve, and intentionally build toward that goal. Different breeding philosophies can—and do—succeed. The key is knowing your lane, communicating your value, and becoming exceptionally good at what you do.

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