After opening the episode with pointed commentary on current breed association messaging and the direction of Angus genetics, host David Brown shifts into a grounded, practical conversation with Montana cattleman Jed Polk. What follows is a thoughtful, transparent look at what it truly takes to build a cow herd — and now a seedstock program — from scratch.

Jed Polk and his wife Angel operate Polk Cattle in the heart of Montana’s cattle country near Rainesford. The ranch itself dates back to 1886 and represents Angel’s fifth-generation family operation. But Jed did not grow up in ranching. Raised in Helena, Montana, he joined the U.S. Air Force at 18 and served both active duty and in the Guard before ultimately transitioning back home. His entry into ranching came through marriage, mentorship, and a willingness to ask questions — a lot of them.

What makes Jed’s story compelling is not that he stepped into an established operation, but that he and his wife built their herd methodically, one cow at a time. Starting with just two cows, Jed expanded strategically year by year. He paid close attention to markets, bought cattle during drought-driven selloffs, and used disciplined budgeting to ensure growth without overleveraging. In years when calf prices were strong, he focused on paying down debt and upgrading infrastructure. In difficult years, particularly during severe drought, he made tough culling decisions — often selling older cows to preserve younger genetics and long-term viability.

Jed runs between 350 and 500 commercial cows depending on environmental conditions, all in a demanding Montana climate. With no irrigation and largely dryland hay production, his cattle must travel, graze, and endure weather extremes. Longevity, fertility, foot quality, and udder soundness are non-negotiable traits in that environment. He places heavy emphasis on cow families and proven maternal lines when selecting bulls, prioritizing real-world production records over flashy numbers.

In recent years, Jed’s passion has expanded into registered seedstock production. After early trial-and-error purchases, he recalibrated his approach — moving away from bargain registered cattle and toward embryos and proven older cows with established track records. His goal is consistency. He wants cattle that perform under commercial pressure, not just cattle that look good on paper. For Jed, integrity, predictability, and long-term reputation matter more than chasing trends.

The conversation dives into practical realities: developing bulls properly, building facilities to support a seedstock operation, managing herd replacement rates, and balancing commercial stability with registered ambition. Jed is candid about financial planning, market cycles, equipment investment, and the importance of preparing for downturns even during strong markets.

Ultimately, this episode is less about theory and more about stewardship — of land, genetics, capital, and relationships. Jed’s vision is to build a seedstock program rooted in functionality and trust, with the long-term goal of hosting his own production sale and marketing cattle backed by consistency and integrity.

Sponsor & Ad Mentions

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Hosted by Seth Christensen

Topics include:

Artificial insemination (AI)

Embryo transfer & IVF

Production practices

Marketing strategy

Incorporating Wagyu influence into Angus programs

Available on:

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

https://GotAnyCows.com

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

In this episode of the Angus Underground, host David Brown discusses the recent National Western Stock Show, sharing insights from various cattle producers and industry leaders. The conversation highlights the importance of attention to detail in cattle breeding, the significance of integrity and relationships in the industry, and the impact of community support. Listeners will hear interviews with key figures, including Brent Vieselmeyer and daughter in law, Sarah Vieselmeyer, who share their experiences and successes at the stock show, as well as the launch of their new business, the Beef Barn. The episode emphasizes the value of networking and learning from others in the Angus community, making it a must-listen for cattle enthusiasts and producers alike. In this episode, David discusses the importance of maternal traits in cattle breeding, the challenges posed by new regulations in the industry, and the innovative approach of Robert Whitacre and Lex Carter of BreederLink in sourcing cattle genetics. The conversation also delves into trends in the AI industry, the divide between show cattle and practical ranching, and the significance of influential Angus sires in shaping the future of cattle breeding. This conversation explores the vibrant world of Angus cattle breeding, highlighting the excitement of upcoming list comparisons, the significance of the National Western Stock Show, and the importance of quality genetics in the beef industry. The speakers share insights on the challenges and successes faced by cattle producers, the role of social media in modern agriculture, and the value of networking within the community. They also discuss the importance of education and mentorship for young enthusiasts in the Angus world, as well as the global perspectives on beef genetics and market trends.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back to Angus Underground

02:57 Insights from the National Western Stock Show

05:55 The Importance of Attention to Detail in Cattle Breeding

08:54 Attending the Schaff Angus Valley Sale

11:52 Kirk Duff and the Unique Approach to Cattle Sales

14:45 Integrity and Relationships in the Cattle Industry

18:03 The Impact of Community and Listener Engagement

20:01 Recap of the National Western Stock Show

23:02 Interviews with Key Figures in the Angus Community

32:52 Brent Vieselmeyer: Success at the Stock Show

50:02 Sarah Vieselmeyer: Launching the Beef Barn

01:04:45 Kurt and Shannon Trefiac: A Canadian Perspective on Cattle Breeding

01:21:09 The Importance of Maternal Traits

01:27:10 Navigating Industry Regulations and Traceability

01:39:04 BreederLink: A New Approach to Cattle Genetics

01:47:11 Trends in the AI Industry

01:56:57 The Divide Between Show Cattle and Practical Ranching

02:39:09 Exploring Influential Angus Sires

02:39:36 The Exciting Challenge of List Comparisons

02:41:14 Making Angus Great Again

02:42:01 Highlights from the National Western Stock Show

02:44:45 The Success of the Angus Breed

02:46:04 Quality Cattle and Market Trends

02:50:17 Insights from a Family Operation

02:52:15 Selecting the Right Bull

02:54:57 The Benefits of Fall Calving

02:56:49 Networking at the National Western

03:00:08 The Mohnen Family Legacy

03:03:10 Upcoming Events and Sales

03:05:12 The Importance of Social Media

03:09:21 Young Enthusiasts in the Angus Community

03:11:18 The Super Bowl of Livestock Shows

03:17:22 The Journey of the Ayers Family

03:30:27 The Role of Podcasts in Agriculture

03:51:23 Global Perspectives on Beef Genetics

Episode Links:

https://www.rouseysimangus.com/

https://breederlink.com/

https://visionangus.com/

https://salering.live/

https://faithangusfarms.com/

https://mjt.ca/sales.php

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

In this episode of the Angus Underground, host David Brown interviews Kirk Duff of Duff Cattle Company, Hobart, OK. They discuss the evolution of the Duff operation, Kirk's breeding philosophy, and the importance of consistency and quality in cattle production. Kirk shares insights into his partnership with Whole Foods and the scale of his beef production. The conversation also touches on the upcoming production sale featuring a diverse lineup of bulls and females, emphasizing the significance of building a quality product in the cattle industry.

Takeaways

• Kirk Duff represents the essence of a master breeder.
• Duff Cattle Company has a rich history dating back to 1917.
• The breeding program focuses on producing low-maintenance, productive cattle.
• Kirk emphasizes the importance of eye appeal and structure in cattle.
• Consistency in breeding is a key goal for Kirk.
• The partnership with Whole Foods showcases the scale of Duff's beef production.
• Quality grade and consistency are crucial for Whole Foods specifications.
• Kirk's branding, Power Plus, emphasizes efficiency and maternal traits.
• The upcoming production sale features over 170 bulls and 80 females.
• Building relationships with customers is essential for success in the cattle business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kirk Duff and Duff Cattle Company

02:57 The Evolution of Duff Cattle Company

05:48 Breeding Philosophy and Cattle Characteristics

08:56 Key Influential Cattle in the Breeding Program

11:48 Continuous Improvement in Breeding Practices

15:10 The Scale of Beef Production and Whole Foods Partnership

17:58 The Importance of Consistency in Cattle

21:00 The Power Plus Branding and Upcoming Production Sale

Links

Insuremybull.com

PowerPlusCattle.com

https://www.rouseysimangus.com/

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