The Angus Table

Episode 22 | Helping Farming Families Through Adversity with Rural Aid CEO John Warlters

In this heartfelt episode of The Angus Table, host Scott Wright sits down with John Warlters, CEO of Rural Aid, for an important conversation about supporting farming families through disasters and everyday adversity.John shares insights from Rural Aid's 11-year journey since forming during the 2015 drought, the remarkable scale of their impact, how trust guides every decision as their north star principle, and the importance of being visible in communities rather than waiting for crisis moments.They discuss John's journalism background preparing him for this role, the challenge of balancing strategic thinking with operational response, the importance of mental health support for all but especially for rural families, and why the difficult act of asking for help opens doors to support.So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for insights on community resilience and the organization making a difference for rural Australia.Key topics covered:How Rural Aid supports farmers first, their families, and communities as proudly farmer-focused organisationThe scale of impact since 2015: 200,000 bales of hay, 100 million litres of household drinking water, prepaid Visa cards ($1,500 typical value) empowering individuals to meet specific needs with money flowing back to local communitiesRural Aid’s national network of 10 counsellors seeing producers on-farm where possible in order to break down barriers around potential judgment or stigmaErica Halliday's story of receiving Rural Aid support during 2017-19 drought, then joining the board to give back to organisation that helped her familyTrust as Rural Aid’s guiding principle: donors trust that funds reach the right people at right time, producers trust the organisation when making themselves vulnerable by asking for helpWhy Rural Aid waits for recovery phase rather than emergency response to avoid getting in way of front line and emergency servicesThe dairy farmer who said he was "a little bit broken on the inside," put on smiley face each morning thinking that's what his family needed, but counselling helped him recognise he needed help and it completely changed his outlookHow strategic thinking challenges John when operational response demands constant attention, and he balancing act between mental health counsellors on ground vs immediate disaster relief capacityHow everyday challenges (rising costs, fluctuating prices, health scares, succession planning) need support beyond disaster context, not just emergency eventsLooking to 2030: growing to 20,000+ registered producers (currently 18,500) and amplifying Rural Aid’s voice to governmentJohn’s simple call to action: ask for help if you need it, phone 1300 327 624Relevant links mentioned in the episode:Rural Aid https://www.everystep.ruralaid.org.au/Phone: 1300 327 624Contact 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

Episode 21 | Producer Profitability, Levy Reform and Trade Resilience, with Will Evans, Cattle Australia

In this strategic episode of The Angus Table, host Scott Wright sits down with Will Evans, CEO of Cattle Australia, for a comprehensive conversation about leading the peak body representing grass-fed beef producers.Will shares insights from his journey through NT Livestock Exporters Association and NTCA, launching the critical cattle transaction levy review, why the focus has realigned to producer profitability over market/consumer expectations as the fundamental underpinning of sustainability, trade diversification amid Middle East conflicts and China challenges, and landscape-level methane research fighting point-in-time regulatory misunderstanding.They discuss Cattle Australia's dual function and benefits to membership, regional consultation driving priorities, innovation and AI transforming genetic systems, and why Australian cattle breeding is now at the global forefront.So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for insights on policy, trade, and the future direction of Australian beef.Key topics covered:Will's journey from Gatton Ag College through, Cattle Council, NT Live Exporters Association and NTCA learning policy theory and practical implementationAbout Cattle Australia's dual function as both peak commodity voice with technical expertise plus prescribed industry body overseeing levy allocation to MLA/AHA/NRSWhy CA have launched a critical levy review: the first in 20 years, the focus is on capturing millions in lost value within existing $5 rather than automatic increasesThe important realignment on producer profitability to underpin all sustainability initiatives and additional requirementsWhy a global shift occurred from "feed people" to "how are we feeding them" with conditionality expectationsLandscape-level methane research: world-leading analysis of emissions + sequestration fighting regulatory misunderstanding of output-only emission reductionsThe European regulatory risk and the need for adequate research because current research is led from environmental not beef business perspectiveTaking a holistic view of trade diversification strategy amid global conflictsEngaging with successive Federal governments and Labor government relationships being about competing priorities not an anti-agriculture stanceThe opportunities and challenges of the AI and innovation frontier for beefAdvice for young people getting into the industry and the massive Southeast Asia opportunityRelevant links mentioned in the episode:Cattle Australia https://cattleaustralia.com.au/Contact 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

Episode 20 | The Digital Transformation of Livestock Marketing with Paul Holm, AuctionsPlus

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 audienceRelevant 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

Episode 19 | Understanding Angus Breed Labelling Standards with Ben Robinson, AusMeat

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 councilsWhy 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 globallyRelevant links mentioned in the episode:AusMeat website: www.ausmeat.com.auLivestock Production Assurance (LPA) program https://www.integritysystems.com.au/on-farm-assurance/livestock-product-assurance/National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme https://www.ausmeat.com.au/services/list/livestock/nfas/United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE): https://unece.org/trade/wp7/Meat-StandardsContact 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

Episode 18 | Building Beef Demand and the CAB Success Story, with Mark McCully from American Angus

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 demandRelevant links mentioned in the episode:American Angus Association: www.angus.orgCertified Angus Beef brand: https://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/enBook: "The Servant" by James HunterContact 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