The Angus Table Podcast By Scott Wright CEO Angus Australia cover art

The Angus Table

The Angus Table

By: Scott Wright CEO Angus Australia
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 Welcome to the new look Angus Australia podcast. This season we'll be bringing you conversations designed to add real value to your business. As members of Angus Australia, you'll hear from the people across the breed and the wider beef industry sharing insights, stories, and ideas that really matter.Copyright © 2025, Angus Australia, All rights reserved.
Episodes
  • The Digital Transformation of Livestock Marketing with Paul Holm, AuctionsPlus

    The Digital Transformation of Livestock Marketing with Paul Holm, AuctionsPlus
    Mar 23 2026
    In this episode of The Angus Table, host Scott Wright sits down with Paul Holm, General Manager of Networks at AuctionsPlus, for a comprehensive conversation about online livestock marketing innovation.Paul shares insights from AuctionsPlus's 40-year evolution as an agency-owned business (50% Elders, 50% Nutrien), the remarkable scale of the platform, the groundbreaking bloodline verification initiative launching in April 2026 to connect seedstock brands with verified commercial offspring and quantify premiums, and the company's commitment to agent education and industry best practice.They discuss remote workforce management (50% of staff outside Sydney), extraordinarily low dispute rates (0.7% of lots), and why selling positive stories about on-farm practices matters for differentiation.So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for insights on the digital transformation of livestock marketing.Key topics covered:How AuctionsPlus evolved over 40 years to 220,000 monthly users listing 600,000+ commercial cattle (400,000+ Angus-influenced)The assessment process: 130+ data points, assessor training requirements, and offline mobile entry for crush-side efficiencyRemarkably low dispute rate (0.7% of lots) with agent third-party verification adding trust and integrityThe innovative bloodline verification initiative to verify commercial vendor purchases their genetics, creative value, increasing trust and quantifying market premiums with analyticsSheep genetics ASBV integration with filtering capabilities and buyer notifications for specific genetic profilesFeeder-optimised tagging developed through extensive feedlot discovery (weight, age, pregnancy testing criteria)Remote workforce management: 50% of staff outside Sydney with regional coverage requiring scheduled communication and quarterly in-person tripsWhy discovery process now involves interviewing buyers/sellers/agents before building features rather than acting on single ideasHow competitive board members (Elders vs Nutrien) make industry-leading decisions for agency sector benefitWhy selling positive on-farm stories differentiates brands in the engaged 220,000-user monthly audiencePull quotes:"AuctionsPlus is really a tool for agents to be effective for their clients. Our main aim is to connect ag: connecting the producer through to that end buyer. We list well over 600,000 commercial cattle, of which about 400,000 have Angus influence. When we talk about Angus people being AuctionsPlus people, we see that through the numbers.""We have a dispute rate of 0.7% of all lots. If you break out actual livestock misdescription, it's much lower. A lot of disputes are buyer defaults on machinery… From cattle and sheep, dispute rate is very low. Agents being agents, they tend to get in and negotiate and fix problems up." -"Currently 86% of our assessments have some form of bloodline claim. What we're doing: if they're claiming AA Angus Stud, that vendor gets notification: do you accept they buy off your stud? Yes or no? The stud vendor verifies it, that gives buyer lot more confidence…It's about adding that trust. We see some very strong premiums off bigger clients.""It's about selling positive story of what you're doing on farm. You might have 50 cows, you might have 1,500 cows, [it’s] making sure when you're marketing something you're showing what you're doing on farm to make your herd different. Great marketers sell that story. We've got 220,000 users that come to platform every month; they’re a very engaged audience.""There was research out of University of Melbourne where that third party—the agent or agronomist—if you educate them and educate them well, they tend to flow that through to about 50 other people attached to them. If you get agency education piece done well and effectively, we know that flows back to producer.""I eat 600 grams of rump steak for lunch every day. Even when I'm on plane, you'll see me hop on with my esky bag. I cart it with me and eat it every day of week. Everyday eating beef is good day because that means you're above ground. I like rump because it's got that full flavor."Relevant links mentioned in the episode:AuctionsPlus website: www.auctionsplus.com.auContact details:This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/+Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X + LinkedIn ++Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook + Instagram + X +CREDITS:Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email ceo@angusaustralia.com.auProducer: Mel Strasburg mel.strasburg@angusaustralia.com.auAudio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au
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    51 mins
  • Understanding Angus Breed Labelling Standards with Ben Robinson, AusMeat

    Understanding Angus Breed Labelling Standards with Ben Robinson, AusMeat
    Mar 16 2026
    In this special informational episode of The Angus Table, host Scott Wright sits down with Ben Robinson from AusMeat to explain the significant changes to Angus breed content labelling standards released in 2026. Ben provides essential context on AusMeat's role as custodian of Australian export meat standards, how the Label and Standards Committee operates with industry peak councils, and why trade descriptions must be accurate and unambiguous under legislation. They discuss the evolution from the original 75% minimum standard to the new three-tier framework: Angus 50/F1/Composite (50% genetic content), Angus 75/F2/Angus (traditional 75% standard), and Pure Angus/Angus 100/Black Angus (100% genetic content). Ben explains how most international markets accept 50% (matching US CAB requirements), why this creates opportunities for F1 breeders while maintaining premium positioning for higher content animals, the importance of accurate NVD declarations, and how DNA breed content testing may provide objective verification in the medium term. So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for essential regulatory information affecting every Angus producer in Australia.Key topics covered:How AusMeat operates as industry-owned (MLA and AMPC), not-for-profit third party certification body auditing 60+ programs and the role of Australian Meat Industry Language and Standards Committee with peak councils Why you cannot export meat from Australia unless it comes from AusMeat accredited facilityThe legislation requirement of accurate and unambiguous trade descriptions across the entire supply chainThe origins of Angus labelling around 2006-2008 when McDonald's McAngus burger drove integrity requirementsWhy Australia set the bar high at 75% minimum genetic content when most international markets accepted 50%How two and a half years of industry consultation balanced production sector and processing sector needsThe new three-tier framework: Angus 50/F1/Composite (50%), Angus 75/F2/Angus (75%), Pure Angus/Angus 100/Black Angus (100%)The two verification pathways for 50% genetic content—phenotypic criteria or on-farm traceability programThe importance of accurate NVD declarations: Angus 50 or Angus F1 for 50% animals, Angus for 75%+ animalsWhy quality specifications (eating quality, marbling, MSA) are commercial decisions by processors separate from breed contentOther breed frameworks (Wagyu, Hereford, Shorthorn, Santa Gertrudis) and the development of a Red Angus framework (though it’s not released yet)The difference between AusMeat's export/domestic accreditation (box level) and state food authority regulation (retail/restaurant level)The importance of maintaining Australian product trust and reputation with international partners through integrityBen's role as UN Economic Commission for Europe Meat Standards Group chairman working to reduce trade barriers globallyPull quotes:"You cannot export meat out of Australia unless it comes out of an AusMeat accredited export processing facility. We're custodians of the AusMeat National Accreditation Standards. Within those standards, that outlines all trade description requirements—all elements you see on a box of beef that describe what is in the box." "You can trace Angus claims back to 2006-2007. Around 2008 when McDonald's released the McAngus burger, McDonald's through their quality programs drove the need to ensure the meat they were purchasing was underpinned—it was true and correct. That's when foundation was developed.""Australia set minimum standard of 75% genetic criteria for Angus animals to be deemed Angus. When you look around the globe at other countries that had criteria for Angus, most were set at actually 50%. The majority still sit at that today. Australia set the bar high..and we hang our hat on that on the international market.""The initial approach was 'we want to pack a 50% Angus product and call it Angus.' When we cast our lens over it, we rejected that because it didn't pass the pub test. That instigated a deeper dive into what it meant from a trade descriptive perspective both domestically and scanning all our export partners." "The status quo remains for the traditional Angus box—minimum criteria 75% genetics. What we've done is introduce the ability to take a 50% Angus animal and label that as either Angus 50, Angus F1, or Angus Composite. Should you choose to pack 50% genetic animal. ”"My job is trying to get more people around the globe to eat red meat. If we can make Australia's job of accessing markets a little bit easier, that's my job. Being chair at the [Meat Standards Group for the UN Economic Commission for Europe] involves hell of a lot of work…but we're keeping that committee alive in the best interest of getting more people eating red meat."Relevant links mentioned in the episode:AusMeat website: www.ausmeat.com.auLivestock Production Assurance (LPA) program https://www.integritysystems.com.au/on-farm-assurance/...
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    51 mins
  • Building Beef Demand and the CAB Success Story, with Mark McCully from American Angus

    Building Beef Demand and the CAB Success Story, with Mark McCully from American Angus
    Mar 9 2026
    In this episode of The Angus Table, host Scott Wright sits down with Mark McCully, CEO of the American Angus Association, for a comprehensive conversation about leading one of the world's largest breed organisations. Mark shares insights from managing 22,000 members across five wholly-owned subsidiaries (Association, Certified Angus Beef, Angus Media, Angus Genetics Inc, Foundation), the remarkable success of CAB brand with 27% of US fed cattle qualifying and $50+ premiums per head, the historic shift from 50% select grading to more prime than select today, developing functional longevity and udder EPDs, navigating methane research controversy with transparency, and the power of servant leadership. They discuss some of the similarities and differences between US and Australian industries, the evolution from "where's my premium" to value-based marketing dominance, beef-on-dairy integration, and why keeping independent breeders independent through strong associations matters globally. So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for insights from one of the breed's most accomplished international leaders.Key topics covered:How the American Angus Association evolved from 1883 herd registry to five wholly-owned subsidiaries with 300 staffThe scale of CAB brand: 27% of US fed cattle qualify today, creating $50+ premium per head at packing plantWhy CAB gave producers a target aligned with consumer value rather than producer value perspectivesThe historic shift from 50% select grading (when Mark started) to more prime than select produced todayHow value-based marketing evolution transformed premium signal flow to producersThe development of functional longevity EBV and teat/udder suspension EBVs incorporated into maternal weaning valueThe importance of phenotypic data as genomics foundation "only as good as phenotypic data breeders turn in"How non-traditional data (health traits, BRD, congestive heart failure, fatty acids) requires downstream collaborationWhy beef-on-dairy integration (60% of 9.4M dairy cows bred to Angus) accelerates data capture in integrated systemsThe challenge of staying innovative as breed associations when private companies characterise economically important traitsHow World Angus Evaluation provides a common currency for breeders globally and helps prevent gene pool narrowingWhy strong member-owned associations hedge against integrated systems taking genetic decisions from independent breedersThe methane research controversy: objectives around efficiency in cows on grass, navigating funding source concerns, factual information challenges in social media eraThe importance of servant leadership principles shaped by "The Servant" by James HunterWhy focusing on consumer eating satisfaction rather than cattle producer value perspectives drives sustainable demandPull quotes:"We're comprised of about 22,000 members, register over 300,000 animals annually. We operate with four wholly-owned subsidiaries: Certified Angus Beef, Angus Media, Angus Genetics Inc, and our Foundation. About 300 staff combined, over half work on CAB. That program has been a growth vehicle for the breed." "Today a certified Angus beef carcass is worth $50 more at the packing plant than event its Angus counterpart that doesn't meet specifications. When it gets into Prime, premiums around $200. About 80% of fed cattle are sold on formula or grid-based systems now. Value-based marketing dollars are getting passed along.""When I started at CAB, the question was always 'where's my premium?'... Today 27% of US fed cattle qualify for certified Angus beef—up from zero. We have a higher percentage of cattle grading Prime than we have grading USDA Select. When I entered the business, close to 50% of cattle fed in the States graded Select. Today we produce more Prime than Select. It's almost become a thing of the past. That focus on quality is why we've got all-time record beef demand." "What CAB has done is give producers a target aligned with how consumers assign value to our product, not how cattle producers assign value. Year after year as we grow sales and more cattle hit specifications, we grow demand. As we grow supply, the spread gets bigger." "There's very strong desire of our breeders to not be part of integrated system where breeding and genetic decisions are taken out of their hands or where they don't have access to tools. Strong associations are a hedge to keep that from happening. Anything we can do to strengthen our collaborative work together is very positive.""We weren't entering debate around cows and climate change. We saw it as path to advance research on discovering differences in efficiency of cows on grass. We just don't have much data [on that]. The ability to measure methane as a measure of efficiency had appeal…If we can find cows that produce more with less, that's good for beef industry." Relevant links mentioned in the episode:American Angus Association: www.angus.orgCertified Angus Beef brand: https://...
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    55 mins
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