In this fascinating episode of Angus Underground, David Brown and Jim McWilliam welcome internationally respected cattle evaluator, consultant, and global livestock ambassador PJ Budler. Originally from South Africa and now based in Texas, PJ shares stories from a career that has taken him to more than 120 countries and judging assignments in over 50 nations. From evaluating cattle on icy parking lots in Kazakhstan to consulting operations across multiple continents, PJ offers a unique perspective on what makes cattle profitable, functional, and adaptable regardless of geography.

The conversation quickly moves beyond travel stories and into a thoughtful discussion on cattle breeding philosophy. PJ argues that profitability begins with the cow on the ranch—not at the feedlot, packing plant, or retail counter. He challenges the industry's obsession with chasing maximum growth and extreme EPDs, advocating instead for balance, fertility, functional efficiency, environmental adaptability, and cattle that work within their production environment. Throughout the discussion, David, Jim, and PJ explore the differences between breeding for optimization versus maximization and why consistent, honest breeding programs ultimately build the strongest customer base.

The episode concludes with an in-depth conversation about visual appraisal, functional efficiency, tropical adaptation, the influence of the late Jan Bonsma, and the dangers of overcomplicating cattle breeding. PJ emphasizes that successful breeders combine observation, curiosity, and repetition to understand cattle, while warning against treating genomics or any single tool as the only answer. His message is clear: great cattle breeding is still rooted in common sense, balance, and a relentless focus on profitability and function.

Key Discussion Points

• PJ Budler's journey from a South African farm to becoming a globally recognized cattle judge and consultant
• Judging cattle in more than 50 countries and visiting over 120 countries worldwide
• The creation of the "Champion of the World" livestock competition
• Why profitable cow-calf operations start with efficient cows rather than terminal traits
• Functional efficiency versus chasing extreme genetic measurements
• The importance of fertility, body condition, and hormonal balance in cattle selection
• How environmental adaptability should influence breeding decisions
• Angus cattle and the challenges of heat, humidity, and parasite pressure
• The role of Bos indicus influence in tropical environments
• Why consistency and honesty are powerful marketing tools for seedstock producers
• Lessons from Jan Bonsma and observation-based cattle breeding
• The dangers of treating genomics as the "only game in town"

Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Creek Insurance -for more information or quotes visit InsureMyBull.com

🎧 Got Any Cows Podcast

Host Seth Christensen shares his experience ranching full-time in Idaho and invites listeners to learn more through the Got Any Cows Podcast.

Closing Takeaway

PJ Budler brings a rare global perspective to cattle breeding, but his core message is surprisingly simple: profitable cattle are balanced cattle. Whether discussing fertility, function, adaptability, or phenotype, the conversation continually returns to the idea that breeding decisions should prioritize long-term efficiency and practicality over short-term trends. For breeders seeking sustainable success, this episode offers both inspiration and a challenge to rethink what truly matters in cattle selection.

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

After a brief hiatus, David Brown and Producer Seana return with a wide-ranging, passionate episode covering the current state of the beef industry, Angus genetics, market volatility, ranch life, Angus Association politics, and the future direction of commercial cattle production.

This episode blends personal ranch updates, industry commentary, economic concerns, and David’s candid thoughts on Angus genetics, breed associations, genomics, and profitability in today’s cattle market.

🐂 Main Topics Covered

Ranch Life & Spring Workload Updates

David shares what has been happening behind the scenes at Montana Ranch during the podcast break.

Beef Industry Market Concerns

David dives deeply into concerns surrounding the current cattle market and explains why he believes the industry is at a major crossroads despite record-high prices.

Angus Genetics & EPD Concerns

One of the strongest portions of the episode centers around David’s concerns about:

• Extreme numbers
• Terminal traits
• Functional cows
• Longevity
• Maternal value
• Commercial ranch profitability

David specifically challenges whether genomics and certain modern Angus metrics truly reflect real-world cattle performance.

American Angus Association Discussion

David discusses financial concerns regarding the American Angus Association. He encourages breeders to become more active in delegate nominations and leadership decisions within the organization.

📌 Key Takeaways

• The cattle industry is experiencing historic prices alongside historic uncertainty.
• Efficient, durable cows may become increasingly valuable during the next rebuilding phase.
• David believes the industry is moving away from extreme growth-focused genetics.
• Angus breeders should focus more on commercial profitability and less on inflated numbers.
• Young cattle producers face major challenges entering the business due to land and input costs.
• Market volatility and packer concentration remain major concerns.

🎧 Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Got Any Cows Podcast

Featured promotional mention for the Got Any Cows Podcast hosted by Seth Christensen.

Topics include:

• AI breeding
• Embryo transfer
• IVF
• Production practices
• Marketing
• Akaushi genetics

Available on:

• YouTube
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

🌐 Website:
Got Any Cows Podcast

Empower Ag Trading

Sponsor spotlight for Empower Ag Trading, focusing on:

• Futures and options trading
• Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)
• Cattle marketing strategies
• Risk management

Hosted by Brady Huck.

🌐 Website:
Empower Ag Trading

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

In Part 2 of this deep-dive series, David Brown and Dallas Woltemath return to complete their countdown of the top 20 most influential Angus sires of all time, bringing the conversation into its most impactful and opinionated territory.

Where Part 1 laid the groundwork, this episode sharpens the focus—moving into the bulls that didn’t just contribute to the breed, but fundamentally shaped what modern Angus cattle look like today. The discussion blends personal experience, historical perspective, and practical application, reinforcing that true influence goes far beyond registration numbers or EPD profiles.

A central theme throughout this episode is maternal strength and longevity. As David highlights bulls like Emulation N Bar 5522, the conversation emphasizes traits that stand the test of time—udder quality, fertility, structural integrity, and the ability to produce daughters that remain productive for years. These sires are remembered not just for what they produced in one generation, but for the consistency and reliability they passed down through entire cow families.

As the countdown progresses, the discussion naturally evolves into a broader reflection on balance in cattle breeding. Dallas frequently points out that the most influential sires weren’t necessarily extreme in one trait—they were complete. Bulls like Rito 707 emerge as foundational figures, acting as a “common denominator” in performance genetics and demonstrating how early advancements in growth, carcass merit, and efficiency helped define the direction of the breed.

The episode also highlights how timing plays a critical role in influence. Many of these sires rose to prominence because they met the needs of the industry at exactly the right moment—whether that meant increasing frame size, improving carcass quality, or strengthening maternal lines. Yet despite changing trends, both David and Dallas repeatedly emphasize that many of these bulls could still be relevant today, reinforcing the idea that good cattle never go out of style.

As they approach the top of the list, the conversation becomes even more personal. Stories of seeing these bulls in person, working with their progeny, and observing their long-term impact give the episode a sense of legacy.

By the end of the episode, it’s clear that this project is more than a ranking—it’s a reflection of decades of experience, observation, and respect for the cattle that built the Angus breed. The discussion leaves listeners with a deeper understanding of what true influence looks like: cattle that work, last, and leave something meaningful behind.

Sponsor & Ad Mentions

Creek Insurance - InsureMyBull.com

🎧 Got Any Cows Podcast

hosted by Seth Christensen:

• Focuses on real-world ranching insights
• Covers topics like AI, embryo transfer, IVF, finance, and marketing
• Shares firsthand experiences integrating Akaushi genetics into Angus programs
• Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and GotAnyCows.com

Closing Notes

David wraps up the series by emphasizing that every sire discussed—regardless of ranking—has a place in the conversation and, in many cases, could still be relevant in today’s breeding programs.

Listeners are encouraged to:

• Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast
• Join the Angus Underground Facebook community
• Reach out with questions (or strong opinions!)

This episode concludes a multi-year “labor of love” project that captures not just rankings—but the history, philosophy, and future of Angus genetics.

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