EmpowerU Podcast Summary

Episode: "Complex Yet Compelling… Featuring PJ Budler"

Host: Weston Hendricks
Guest: PJ Budler
Date: January 31, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of EmpowerU features PJ Budler—a globally respected cattleman, judge, and international business developer—who shares his experiences from a fifth-generation South African cattle operation to his journey in the US livestock industry. Host Weston Hendricks steers the conversation through PJ’s upbringing, unique career path, judging philosophies, and insightful views on livestock evaluation, international trade, and personal growth. The discussion is both deeply informative and candid, offering practical lessons and memorable stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

PJ Budler’s Background & International Perspective

• Roots in South Africa: Raised on a multi-generational cattle, sheep, and goat operation, PJ started in the registered livestock business at 15 (01:11).
• International Experience: Expansion with a business partner led to operating properties in five locations across three countries, providing experience with diverse environments, breed phenotypes/genotypes, and business models (01:55).
• US Move: Driven by the desire for global industry connections, accessible international trade, and the abundant opportunities in the US, PJ settled in Texas, aligning with both Bos taurus and Bos indicus sectors (02:58, 16:57).

The Livestock Industry: South Africa vs. US

• Similarities: Comparable breeds and feedlot operations; industry expectations at shows are more commercially aligned in South Africa (02:58).
• Differences:
  • Herd Sizes: Larger commercial herds in South Africa versus numerous small US herds.
  • Wildlife Impact: Greater wildlife presence in South Africa affects export markets due to disease risk, unlike the US.
  • Export Potential: The US’s disease status allows robust international livestock trade (04:16).
• Wildlife Integration: Conservation tied with professional hunting shifted the focus from venison harvesting to game preservation, impacting land and herd management (06:14).

Educational & Career Path

• Academic Background:
  • College in South Africa (Rhodes University): Degree in TV journalism and isiXhosa—not animal science (08:46).
  • Exposure to livestock operations shaped practical knowledge despite nontraditional academic training (08:46).
• Real-World Application: Managed the family’s bull sales and property operations before moving into international business (07:51).
• Distinct Judging Approach: Different educational background leads to PJ’s unique communication style and philosophy as a judge (08:38).

US Transition & Landmark Experiences

• National Western Stock Show Awakening:
  • First visit in 2007; immediate connection led to annual trips and a decision to relocate.
  • Memorable "basic" first accommodation and formative relationships with Top Herefords and Wiese and Sons (12:24).
  • "I found my place in the world. This is where I'm moving to." (12:24)
• Strategic Settlement in Fort Worth: Chosen for its confluence of cattle breeds and cultures, strategic transportation hub, and proximity for international operations (16:57).

Role at TransOva

• Entry into TransOva: Initially contacted for international consulting; serendipitous conversations led to a job offer (22:48).
• Impact:
  • Expanded business with nontraditional relationships, global partnerships, and key accounts.
  • Exposure to cutting-edge tech in dairy, cloning, gene editing, and global administration.
  • "Eventually it became such a cool fit because I could do what I do well… and there were people at TransOva to do the rest." (25:51)

Judging Livestock: Philosophy & Global Perspective

• First Experiences:
  • Won his first stock judging contest in Scotland, initially entered reluctantly (26:29).
  • South African system involved gradual advancement within each breed through rigorous testing and show apprenticeship.
• US System and Style:
  • US shows value direct opinion; early opportunities came via word of mouth.
  • "I really feel at home in the ring because for me it's the same as being in the corral back at home sorting cattle." (26:29)
• Notable Shows & Cross-Cultural Challenges:
  • Favorites: Houston, Fort Worth, Louisville, Canadian Western Agribition, Palermo (Argentina).
  • Valuable lessons from less-polished shows worldwide (“You really tune your craft when you don’t have perfect conditions.”) (31:55-37:49)
  • Analogy: Comedians test material in small venues; judges refine skills at challenging, smaller shows (35:47).
• Emphasis on Projection:
  • The importance of projecting how young cattle will mature, not just evaluating their current conformation (38:03-41:21).
  • Honest, sometimes tough, feedback helps families redirect efforts when projects aren’t promising (41:21-43:54).

Mentors and Judging Community

• Influential Judges:
  • South African mentors instilled discipline and consistency.
  • Admired US judges for professionalism and unique approaches—Jack Ward and Shane Bedwell notably mentioned (47:30).
  • “I actually, I don't mind if people disagree with me or if I disagree with them, as long as they're consistent and they stick to their own guns…” (47:54)

Livestock Judging Pathways: College Trained vs. Self-Taught

• Benefits & Drawbacks:
  • College-trained judges: Polished, efficient, excellent public speakers.
  • Self-taught or nontraditional: More originality, less conformity.
  • Encourages young judges to question everything and have multiple teachers, avoiding groupthink across fads and pendulum swings in cattle breeding (49:54-53:53).

Wisdom & Motivation

• Meaningful Metrics:
  • Quote from rugby legend Johnny Hills: “There’s so much stuff in the world… measurable, but it doesn’t necessarily make them meaningful.” (54:03)
  • Distilling complexity: “Take a complex situation and make it simple and then make it compelling.” (54:54)
• Personal Empowerment:
  • “We are not compelled to be who we were five minutes ago…”—embraces adaptability, confidence, questioning, and personal growth as empowerment (56:08).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-------------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:11 | PJ | “I was born and raised in South Africa on a fifth generation cattle, sheep and goat operation...that gave me a good taste for international business…” | | 12:24 | PJ | “I found my place in the world. This is where I’m moving to.” | | 16:57 | PJ | “…it’s where boss taurus and bos indicus cattle kind of meet... It’s pretty much the line where ball caps turn into cowboy hats…” | | 25:51 | PJ | “Eventually it became such a cool fit because I could do what I do well, what I enjoy doing. And there were people at TransOva to do the rest.” | | 26:29 | PJ | “I really feel at home in the ring because for me it's the same as being in the corral back at home sorting cattle.” | | 35:47 | PJ | “You really tune your craft when you don’t have perfect conditions… Like a comedian—small crowds test if your material actually works.” | | 41:21 | PJ | “If a steer is not sound when it’s a few months old, goodness, it’s going to be a wreck when it’s ready for harvest. So I think projection is essential…” | | 47:54 | PJ | “I don’t mind if people disagree with me or if I disagree with them, as long as they're consistent and they stick to their own guns…” | | 53:53 | PJ | “I would suggest anyone who's getting into this...to just question this. So the next time you mention that an animal's dead level...just ask yourself why that's a good thing.” | | 54:54 | PJ | “Take a complex situation and make it simple and then make it compelling.” | | 56:08 | PJ | “We are not compelled to be who we were five minutes ago...It’s okay to change your mind.” |

Key Timestamps

• 01:11: PJ introduces upbringing and global business foundation
• 02:58–05:54: South Africa vs. US industry differences, wildlife, and export
• 12:24: PJ’s first trip to National Western & decision to move to the US
• 16:57: Why PJ chose Fort Worth and his approach to US opportunities
• 22:48: Getting to and growing at TransOva
• 26:29: First judging experiences, both in Scotland and in the US
• 31:55: Discussion of memorable judging venues around the world
• 35:47: Analogy of learning in tough judging environments
• 38:03: Evaluating and projecting young cattle
• 47:30: Influences, admired judges, and judging philosophies
• 49:54: Debating US college-judging background vs. originality
• 54:03: Wisdom from rugby on simplicity, meaningfulness, and leadership
• 56:08: Insights on personal empowerment and adaptability

Closing Thoughts

PJ Budler’s journey is a testament to curiosity, grit, and global-mindedness in livestock. His transparency on the value of honest evaluation, adapting to different industry cultures, and questioning conventional wisdom gives listeners tools to grow both as stockmen and as individuals. Through practical stories, analogies, and probing questions, the episode delivers on EmpowerU’s mission—to boost confidence, insight, and empowerment among leaders and learners in agriculture.

For more:

• Explore EmpowerU’s platform & resources at empoweryoupodcast.org
• Follow PJ Budler’s continuing journey and catch more of his perspective at future livestock shows and industry events

Remember:
"Take a complex situation and make it simple—then make it compelling." (PJ Budler quoting Johnny Hills; 54:54)