The Angus Conversation

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Aug 2026

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There are some pasture chats or bull sale discussions that are just too good to keep to ourselves. In this Angus Journal podcast, we’ll bring you interesting and entertaining chats with fellow breeders, researchers, marketers and more. Keep up on all things Angus. Be part of the conversation.

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August 26, 2026Episode 11 hr 2 min

More Than Meets the Menu: Inside the Foodservice Beef Business

When trying to get beef out to the masses, there’s a step in the supply chain that has a lot of influence on what beef goes where: foodservice distributors. Hear from BJ Johnson and Pat Shepherd, who represent both the buy and the sell side of that equation. From sourcing and procurement to restaurant partnerships and consumer expectations, the message is clear — they don’t want beef they have to push, they want pull-through demand. The pair covers the emerging Prime trends, how they combat volatility and the importance of being able to talk about all the work that happens back on the ranch. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully GUESTS: BJ Johnson, director of sales, Buckhead Meat of Atlanta Growing up near his family’s farm in Huntsville, Ala., where they raised Angus cattle, cotton and soybeans, BJ developed a deep appreciation for agriculture and the food industry. He attended the University of Alabama, where he studied management, and later graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Culinary Arts in 2002. That same year, he began his career with Sysco. Over the past two decades, BJ has served in roles across Alabama, Charlotte, Atlanta and Chicago, holding leadership positions in three of those markets. Alongside his teams, he helped launch two highly successful Certified Angus Beef® programs in North Carolina and Georgia and was honored as Certified Angus Beef® Marketer of the Year. Today, BJ serves as director of sales for Buckhead Meat of Atlanta where he leads a team of 26 sales consultants across the Southeast. Together, they proudly lead the nation in Certified Angus Beef® Prime sales. Pat Shepherd, director of beef procurement, Buckhead Meat of Atlanta Pat oversees beef sourcing and purchasing strategies for Buckhead Meat Company, the specialty meat division of Sysco, one of the nation’s leading foodservice distributors. A University of West Georgia graduate with a culinary background, Shepherd joined the company in 2010 and discovered a passion for the beef industry. Today, he collaborates across the supply chain to ensure consistent quality, manage inventory and procurement, and help foodservice operators deliver an exceptional beef experience to consumers. SPONSORS: SenseHub Cow Calf® : Cattle reproductive success has relied on visual observation for decades ... until now. SenseHub® Cow Calf provides a new approach to breeding success and time management. Learn about 24/7 collection of data and insights you can use to detect heats and more at SenseHub-CowCalf.com . Angus Media: Don't let a busy schedule stop you from being the most informed breeder in the room. Click here to subscribe to the AJ Daily or the AJ Weekly. Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

July 17, 2026Episode 1524 min

Junior Takeover — The Making of a Champion: Cates and Curtin on Showing Cattle

The secret to success isn’t a secret so much as it is hard work. National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members Piper Cates and Sloane Curtin both say that there’s a lot of practice put in before they ever step in the show ring. On this episode the two competitors share their show day tips and encourage young members to seek out mentors, while talking about their own favorites and teasing next year’s National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) location and theme. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman, Mark McCully GUESTS: Piper Cates , Modoc, Ind., has been an active member of the NJAA since she was old enough to join. She’s participated in everything from the NJAS photography contest to the Auxiliary-sponsored All-American Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off. Cates currently serves as the Indiana Angus Association junior princess and won Reserve Champion Junior Showmanship A in both 2025 and 2026 at the National Junior Angus Show. Sloan Curtin, Oxford, Iowa, has had much success in her time as an NJAA member, including many champion and reserve champion wins. She was the 2025 Showmanship winner in the National Junior Angus Show intermediate B division. GUEST HOST: Ava Leibfried is a third-generation Angus breeder from Platteville, Wis., currently serving as the National Junior Angus Association board chair. Ava is studying agricultural business at Iowa State University, and intends to keep Angus cattle as part of her long-term career goals. Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

July 17, 2026Episode 1443 min

Junior Takeover — The Wood Family on Where Growing Up Angus Got Them

Some of the most formative years of an Angus junior’s life are spent in the barns. That’s how it was for the Wood Family of Willow Spring, N.C. When it comes to the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), all three of the siblings — Justin, Mary and Ava — have been involved in everything from exhibiting animals and competing in contests to attending conferences and serving in leadership roles. As they have grown, they’ve put the skills they honed through their involvement with the NJAA to work on their own Angus operation, which now includes a wedding venue and meat market. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman, Mark McCully GUESTS: Siblings Ava and Justin Wood grew up on their family’s Willow Spring, N.C., Angus operation. Along with their sister Mary, they have been long-time participants in the National Junior Angus Association, including all three serving on the organization’s board of directors. Justin is now back home on the family farm, and Ava is studying ag business at North Carolina State University. GUEST HOST: Ava Leibfried is a third-generation Angus breeder from Platteville, Wis., currently serving as the National Junior Angus Association board chair. Ava is studying agricultural business at Iowa State University, and intends to keep Angus cattle as part of her long-term career goals. RELATED CONTENT: Dreamers, Believers and Go-Getters A Woman Worth Looking Up To Transitioning to a New Role Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

July 17, 2026Episode 1324 min

Junior Takeover — Sibling Support on the Farm and In the Ring

Nearly all of Kolton and Kinleigh Grim’s Angus memories include each other. The siblings started showing Angus cattle at a young age, and their partnership began. Today, they approach their cattle operation with a similar mindset — how you work the animals at home is a direct reflection of how they’ll behave in the ring. In a flurry of National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) competition, the Grims paused to share their tips for preparation and advice for making the most of the experience. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman, Mark McCully GUESTS: Kolton and Kinleigh Grim, Beaver Creek Angus, have been involved in their family’s Thomasville, Pa., cattle herd from very early ages. They're both currently serving in leadership roles on the Pennsylvania Junior Angus Association board and are active in the National Junior Angus Association. They were members of this year’s Team Fitting Champion team. GUEST HOST: Ava Leibfried is a third-generation Angus breeder from Platteville, Wis., currently serving as the National Junior Angus Association board chair. Ava is studying agricultural business at Iowa State University and intends to keep Angus cattle as part of her long-term career goals. RELATED CONTENT: I Am Angus: Beaver Creek Angus, York County, Pa. Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

June 11, 2026Episode 1253 min

Board Recap: A Changing Landscape — From Industry Shifts to Market Challenges, Strategic Planning Sets Angus Up for the Future

Keeping the breed moving forward, guided by the membership — that's the role of the American Angus Association Board of Directors. The group met this week to: Review fiscal year trends in fiscal numbers and program enrollments Address member feedback on everything from amplifying the Pathfinder® program to a rule change for donor dams Adopt an updated tissue sample archival policy Get updates on the following research projects: $B validation, cow efficiency, bovine congestive heart failure (BCHF) studies and haplotype Approve a three-year long-range plan for Angus Genetics Inc. Discuss the increases inflation and price hikes have had on the long-term profitability of the Angus Journal® Learn more about the Certified Angus Beef ® supply challenges and strength in demand Discuss the Angus Foundation opportunities and planning for the future This conversation gives you an inside look at discussions around the board table, including decisions that were made and how the Board arrived at them. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully GUESTS: Jim Brinkley , 2026 president and chairman, has served on the American Angus Association Board of Directors for the past seven years. Along with their children, Crystal and Justin, Brinkley and his wife, Sherry, own 1,300 acres and 400 registered Angus cattle at Brinkley Angus Ranch (BAR) near Milan, Mo. Paul Bennett manages Knoll Crest Farm, Inc., a four-generation seedstock operation, near Red House, Va. Bennett’s grandfather, Paul D. Bennett, established a registered cow herd in 1944, and the family transitioned the farm from a typical southside-Virginia tobacco, livestock and crop farm to a beef seedstock operation in the 1980s. Today, Knoll Crest is operated by the team of brothers — Jim, Brian and Paul — along with Paul’s nephew, Dalton. Bennett and his wife, Tracy, have two children, Scott and Sarah, and four grandchildren. Alan Mead is a third-generation Angus breeder from Barnett, Mo. After completing his undergraduate degree, medical school and his residency, Mead returned to the area in 1994 as a board-certified anesthesiologist practitioner, serving his local community while harboring a new vision for Mead Farms. The farm has grown to more than 7,000 acres and close to 1,500 registered Angus cows in addition to Charolais, Hereford and Red Angus cattle. Mead has two daughters who are actively working as the fourth generation of Mead Farms. RELATED READING: President's Letter Angus Genetics Inc. research projects Brand Production Beyond Borders Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

May 26, 2026Episode 1154 min

Raising Calves, Mentoring Kids and Coordinating Logistics — Randall Grimmius on Raising Beef and Entering the Angus Business

What happens when the beef and dairy worlds intersect? Randall Grimimus, California cattle feeder and Angus breeder, joins the podcast to talk about the ever-evolving beef-on-dairy sector and how Angus fits into it. From raising day-old calves to scaling his family operation, Grimmius shares how data, genetics and relationships have built his business. He is grounded in faith and guided by a strong desire to do the right thing for his calves, his employees, his suppliers and his customers. In this episode you’ll learn about everything from his young entrepreneurial ambitions to how he listens to God’s call. HOSTS: Mark McCully and Miranda Reiman GUEST: Randall Grimmius Randall Grimmius is the owner of Grimmius Cattle Company, a family-owned and operated livestock business he helped build from the ground up alongside his father, Tom Grimmius. What started as a cattle feeding and trading business has grown into a fully integrated operation spanning seedstock genetics, dairy, cow-calf production, calf raising and cattle feeding across California and Texas — with five ranches; capacity for 300,000 head; more than 1,000 employees; and additional cattle fed through some of the industry's most respected feedyards in Kansas, Texas, Nebraska and Colorado. Away from the operation, Randall and his wife, Beth, have been married 34 years. Together they have four daughters, eight grandchildren and have provided guardianship to 12 additional children over the past 15 years. He remains deeply committed to faith, family and the values that continue to guide the company. SPONSOR: Angus Media: Are you ready to level up your herd’s genetics? With the Angus Bull Book Spring 2026 Angus Sire Directory , you can find your next great sire. The spring issue went live in March, but you're able to view the book online all breeding season. Live EPDs will help you pair the right bull with your breeding objectives. Search for the Angus Bull Book Spring 2026 Angus Sire Directory on the sale book search page on Angus.org. Angus Media: A solid herd starts with the cows. Commercial cattlemen need to know that your foundation is built on maternal traits. Tell them in the Female Foundations special section published with the September Angus Beef Bulletin . Get an advertisement, feature and social post all in the same package. Contact your regional manager or our advertising team to learn more. Find them at www.angus.org/angus-media/about/contact-us. Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

May 12, 2026Episode 101 hr 0 min

Angus Women Connected — Focusing on the Future, Creating Ambassadors and Relationships That Last

The Angus Women Connected Conference intends to do just that: foster relationships among breeders from across the country. Three cattlewomen share their experience of getting off the ranch to learn from both invited speakers and each other, creating a community of people they can now call on when they need outside expertise. From encouraging the next generation in agriculture to advocating for the Angus business to those on the outside, this episode covers what they’ve done and might even inspire you to make a difference in your own sphere of influence. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully GUESTS: Emma Collins Powell, Danielle Brach, Tammy Weaver Emma Collins Powell has a rich history with the Angus breed. As a former member of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) and the current president of the American Angus Auxiliary, she is giving back daily to the cattle and producers that helped shaped her into the woman she is today. While she was a junior member, she grew up on her family’s farm, Kiani Angus. She lives in Flora, Miss., with her husband, Robert, on a registered Angus and commercial cow-calf operation. From western Colorado, Danielle Brach is a cattle producer and agricultural educator. She and her husband, Jayton, operate a commercial beef cattle ranch and run their generational operation through the summer and fall utilizing BLM and National Forest permits. Recently, they started a seedstock Angus herd. She is passionate about agricultural advocacy and youth education. With a self-funded youth beef breeding program, she brings a practical, real-world perspective on the beef industry, rural business and the importance of preserving the ranching way of life. With a herd of registered Angus cattle in Pennsylvania, Tammy Weaver and her family operate Weaver Show Cattle, raising cattle for the show ring and replacement females. As a beef industry sales representative, she’s able to serve the cattle business in her day-to-day career as well. She and her husband, Fred, live in Ephrata. Their children, Madison and Hayden, were both active in the NJAA and 4-H. Tammy lives on her family’s farm where they have a small herd of Angus cows and raise corn, soybeans and tobacco. She is active in the Pennsylvania Angus Association, Pennsylvania Holstein Association, PA Livestock Association, Keystone International Livestock Exposition and several local agriculture groups. Tammy currently serves as the secretary/treasurer of the American Angus Auxiliary. SPONSORS: Are you ready to level up your herd’s genetics? With the Angus Bull Book Spring 2026 Angus Sire Directory , you can find your next great sire. The spring issue went live in March, but you're able to view the book online all breeding season. Live EPDs will help you pair the right bull with your breeding objectives. Search for the Angus Bull Book Spring 2026 Angus Sire Directory on the sale book search page on Angus.org. Help your customers maximize the return on their Angus investment. Give commercial cattlemen access to the management, marketing, health and nutrition news they need to know. With a transfer of a registered Angus bull, they're automatically subscribed to the Angus Beef Bulletin , a premier publication committed to ensuring they make the most of their purchase. Go to www.angusmedia.org/subscribe today. RELATED READING: The Power of Sharing Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

April 28, 2026Episode 91 hr 14 min

Keeping the Family AND the Ranch: Donnell and Tucker Brown Talk Genetics, Generational Transfer and Going Viral

The Brown family has always been growth-minded and goal-oriented, but each generation has left their own mark on the historic R.A. Brown Ranch. This episode covers a lot of ground, including how they think about cattle and horse breeding, ways they help their customers make use of all the data available, and why building a community matters to them. Take a deep dive into their family’s approach to estate planning and find out more behind Tucker Brown’s passion for “telling the truth” about ranching. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully GUEST: Donnell and Tucker Brown Donnell Brown and his wife Kelli are the fifth generation to own and manage the R.A. Brown Ranch in Throckmorton, Texas, a family business since 1895. They raise registered Angus, Red Angus and SimAngus cattle and sell 800 bulls in addition to 250 registered females and 1,200 commercial females in their annual auctions in March and October. They built a supply chain to help their customers earn more profits called Rancher’s Sustainable Angus Alliance. Donnell and his wife Kelli both served as National FFA Presidents. They are blessed with two sons, Tucker and Lanham, that have joined them back in their family ranching business with their wivesand children. Together Donnell and Kelli are living their dream of raising cows, kids, grandkids and Quarter Horses. Tucker Brown is a sixth generation rancher at the R.A. Brown Ranch in Throckmorton, Texas, where he and his family develop and sell 800 registered bulls a year. After graduating from Lubbock Christian University and Texas Christian University Ranch Management School, he returned home to do what he loves — working alongside his family. Through social media, he’s been able to share the truth about American ranching in a way that’s both educational and entertaining. He has earned 850,000 followers online, earning him the NCBA Beef Advocate of the Year Award and even a feature in Vanity Fair Expert Reviews . Today Tucker and his wife, Karley, are raising the seventh generation of the R.A. Brown Ranch, working to keep the ranch in the family and the family in the ranch, while also making sure the world knows the real story of agriculture. SPONSOR: Angus Media: In the cattle business, print isn't dead. Your customers still enjoy the feel of a magazine in their hand. 98% of the Angus Journal's readers find it easier to recall ads they see in print publications. Be one of the names potential customers remember. Contact your regional manager to reserve your spot today. Angus Media: A web address is just as important as a farm address. Angus Media can make establishing your online presence easy. We host more than 300 breeder websites each year, providing weekly EPD updates straight from the American Angus Association’s database. Follow this link to learn more. RELATED READING: The Power of Telling Why Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

April 14, 2026Episode 857 min

On a Handshake — Brent Thiel on Partnerships, Progress and Problem-Free Cattle

Brent Thiel was early in his career with the American International Charolais Association when he got a nudge that changed the trajectory for him and his family. He bought a ranch and started a partnership that would span nearly four decades. During that time they grew the Lindskov-Thiel Ranch to become a household name in western South Dakota, with Angus and Charolais genetics that traveled around the globe. In recent years, they’ve amicably split the ranch, providing a model of how to make what started as a handshake agreement work out in the long run. Brent discusses his philosophies on creating functional cattle, building customer relationships and keeping the long game in mind. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully GUEST: Brent Thiel was raised on a sheep and horse ranch near Aberdeen, S.D. He earned an ag journalism degree from South Dakota State University and briefly worked for the Tri-State Livestock News before taking a job as a fieldman for the American International Charolais Association. That job introduced Brent to his wife, Nancy, and they married and moved to South Dakota and started Lindskov-Thiel Ranch in partnership with Les and Marcia Lindskov. That business arrangement would span nearly four decades, growing them into a household name in both the Charolais and later Angus circles, before splitting up the partnership to allow for future growth in different directions. Today, the Thiels raise Angus cattle under the Thiel Ranch banner and take time to visit their two grown children and their families “down South.” SPONSORS: Angus Media: A solid herd starts with the cows. Commercial cattlemen need to know that your foundation is built on maternal traits. Tell them in the Female Foundations special section published with the September Angus Beef Bulletin . Get an advertisement, feature and social post all in the same package. Contact your regional manager or our advertising team to learn more. Find them at www.angus.org/angus-media/about/contact-us. Angus Media: You are the most powerful marketing tool you have. Share your story directly to potential customers with a creative video by Angus Media. Our videographers are also cattle people, so they know how showcase your Angus cattle and can help bring your story to life. Let them put you at ease as you show them around your ranch and explain what sets you apart. Visit AngusMedia.org to get started today. Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

April 7, 2026Episode 749 min

From Blue Crabs to Baling: Wye Angus Intern Has a Summer of Firsts

When ag education student Molly Lusk went looking for a hands-on experience to make her a more well-rounded ag teacher in the future, the Talon Internship Program through the Angus Foundation piqued her interest. The North Carolina native immersed herself in the Wye Angus crew, doing everything from heat detection and moving cattle to baling hay and gathering carcass data. The University of Maryland herd provided a unique backdrop for non-traditional education, while Molly brought new energy and a sense of curiosity to the work. Hear how the internship process works and what everyone took away from it. HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully GUESTS: Molly Lusk, an agriculture education major at North Carolina State University, first got interested in agriculture growing up in a small town just outside of Asheville, N.C. In eight grade she joined a livestock judging team, which evolved into her chosen major and decision to get hands-on farm experience to supplement her classroom learning. Heath McPherson began his role as a program manager at Wye Angus in December. A former National Junior Angus Association board member, Heath says he’s a “self-proclaimed data nerd” and looks into seeing what they can build at the University of Maryland farm. Megan Stibbe , Wye Angus program manager, has been with the University of Maryland since 2022 and the Angus farm since 2024. Megan grew up on a dairy farm, holds an ag business degree from what’s now Delaware Valley University and worked nearly two decades at an ag newspaper before her current role. RELATED READING: 2026 Angus Foundation Scholarship Applications Due May 1 New Regions, New Opportunities Seek and You Shall Find A Perfect Fit SPONSORS: Angus Media: Are you ready to level up your herd’s genetics? With the Angus Bull Book: Spring 2026 Angus Sire Directory, you can find your next great sire. The spring issue went live in March, but you’re able to view the book online all breeding season. Live EPDs will help you pair the right bull with your breeding objectives. Search the Angus Bull Book here: https://shorturl.at/p06OD Angus Media: A solid herd starts with the cows. Commercial cattlemen need to know that your foundation is built on maternal traits. Tell them in the Female Foundations special section published with the September Angus Beef Bulletin. Get an advertisement, feature and social post all in the same package. Contact your regional manager or our advertising team to learn more. Find them at www.angus.org/angus-media/about/contact-us . Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.