The Angus Table

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Global AgriTrend’s Simon Quilty for a September market update dissecting cattle cycles, global demand dynamics, and price forecasts.
Simon argues Australia has experienced two years of genuine liquidation despite claims herd sizes remain large, with supply tightening sharply over recent weeks signalling rebuild imminent.

Scott and Simon discuss the weather forecasting divergence between the Bureau of Meteorology calling dry versus Art Douglas calling wet patterns, how consumer cost-of-living pressures are driving pricing despite strong export demand, and what this means for beef producers.

Simon gives his analysis of the US market, including the protein obsession and rise of GLP-1 drugs, and the impact of the US herd being at a 74-year low. He explains early rebuild signs such as vealer prices moving early, heifers gaining premium over cows, and the fall in weekly yardings. Angus prevalence throughout the decimation explains the breed's critical role in the rebuild ahead: the breed faces greatest decimation and therefore greatest rebuild opportunity going forward.

Simon shares his pricing forecasts for two exceptional years ahead driven by tight global supply, saying the market-access headwinds are navigable given the structural beef shortage globally.
So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about reading rebuild cycles, global market drivers, and supply-led price forecasts.
Key topics covered:
Simon's assessment that two years of genuine liquidation point to imminent rebuild, contradicting some industry forecasts of herd stability.
The weather forecasting divergence between Bureau of Meteorology calling dry versus Art Douglas calling wet patterns
The domestic protein shift underway in Australia: chicken now dominates at 54% market share while beef has fallen to 19.2%
Why consumer cost-of-living pressures are driving pricing despite strong export demand: premium cuts pulled back domestically due to China and Korea safeguards; consumer pushback on high prices forcing "dumbing down" to affordable cuts.
How the US protein obsession and rise of GLP-1 drugs is driving structural demand for protein, including beef
The impact of the US herd being at 74-year low (86.2 million) in sixth year of decline, and carcass weights up 30% since 1990s: fed prices firm despite dips
Why bred heifers at $6,400 USD remain insufficient to convince retention given land-use pressures and trader preferences limiting supply response.
How farmer behaviour patterns—40% core breeders, 40% traders, 20% swing operators—explain slow rebuilding, with NSW as the key state for rebuild timing.
The weekly yardings falling off a cliff as a classic rebuild indicator, with Victoria and Queensland showing decimation patterns consistent with the 2014-17 rebuild cycle.
What vealer prices moving early and heifers gaining premium over cows tells Simon about the cycle turning point
How the decline in mutton kills predicts imminent female cattle kill decline through a six-month lag, signalling the rebuild shift now underway.
Why Angus dominance (73% of females Angus, 77% Angus-influenced in southern states) means the breed faces greatest decimation and greatest rebuild opportunity.
Simon's price forecasts: yardings down 14% this year and 24% next year; kill volumes to 8.8M this year and 7.2M next year; feeder steers to $7.20-$7.50 July-September 2027 with Angus females having greatest first-half upside.
Two exceptional years ahead driven by tight global supply; market-access headwinds navigable given structural beef shortage.

Contact details:
Connect with Simon via the Global AgriTrends website https://agritrends.com/
This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/
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CREDITS:
Host: Scott Wright, CEO. Get in touch via email ceo@angusaustralia.com.au
Producer: Mel Strasburg mel.strasburg@angusaustralia.com.au
Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Grant Garey, GM Feedlots at Teys Australia and President of the Australian Lotfeeders Association, for a conversation about feedlot industry evolution, supply chain partnerships, and global market dynamics.
Grant shares his 30 year career journey progressing from cattle station background through Sandalwood Feedlot and Cargill to lead Teys' three-feedlot operation managing 4,000 head/week and processing 35,000 cattle nationally.
Scott and Grant discuss how the feedlot industry has scaled dramatically—1.7M head on feed nationally, 80% growth over 10 years, now core infrastructure rather than supplementary. Grant advocates for balanced genetics (performance plus marbling, avoiding extremes) and long-term supplier partnerships built on honesty and consistency.
Grant explains ALFA's role as the peak industry body for feedlot sector, including government advocacy, R&D investment, and industry capability development.
With global demand strong but market access challenges ongoing, Grant sees opportunity ahead and emphasises reducing variability and achieving consistency as keys to progress.
So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about feedlot infrastructure, supply chain partnerships, and market opportunity.
Key topics covered:
Grant's 30 year journey from stud background to leading Teys' three-feedlot operation feeding and processing tens of thousands of cattle weekly
Teys Australia’s Global reach, and how they route Australian beef cuts strategically across US, Asia, and domestic markets to maximise value and meet diverse demand.
Why the Angus breed anchors Teys' grain-fed, grass-fed, and organic production, including the flagship Certified Angus brand.
Current market opportunities: US grain-fed demand grows despite supply constraints, while Southeast Asian markets collectively rival established regions.
How supplier partnerships drive success at Teys, including long-term relationships built on honesty and consistency, with 25-year weekly commitments demonstrating durability.
The importance of balanced genetics: feedlot performance, marbling, yield, and health must progress together rather than in competition with each other.
The transformation of the feedlot industry–including 80% growth in a decade–reflecting a structural shift to core infrastructure, driven by global demand, technology, and branded beef programs.
ALFA's role as the feedlot sector’s peak body, representing 90%+ of the sector while driving R&D, regulation, and animal welfare standards as peak industry body.
Grant’s view on challenges ahead for the industry, including market access disruptions, regulatory environment uncertainty, and building public trust through transparency and welfare standards.
The overall positive market outlook: strong global protein demand, Asian marbling appreciation and the gap in US production
Grant’s core message to Angus breeders: consistency and variability reduction are the fundamental keys to ongoing improvement across the supply chain.
The values Grant lives by and his best ever beef eating experience

Contact details:
Find out more about Teys Australia here https://au.teysgroup.com/
Find out more about ALFA here https://www.feedlots.com.au/
Find out more about BeefEx here https://www.beefex.com.au/
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.au
Producer: Mel Strasburg mel.strasburg@angusaustralia.com.au
Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Ced Wise, pioneering veterinary reproductive specialist, for a conversation about building reproductive technology infrastructure, mentoring the next generation, and cutting-edge research.
Ced shares his journey from mixed practice in Warwick to postgraduate study at Colorado State University under leading reproductive physiologists, returning to Australia to pioneer embryo transfer when few had heard of the technology.
Ced and Scott discuss the expansion of Ced Wise AB Services from a one-man operation to having his adult children involved, and now managing 50+ staff. They talk about the state-of-the-art processing facility at Ced’s Glen Aplin operation, and why he also built an education centre and accommodation options for up to 8 students or visiting researchers.
Ced explains some of the innovations and progress in IVF technology, when to use MOET rather than IVF, and why epigenetics is emerging as a century-defining study area.
He shares his dedication to mentoring the next generation and university research collaborations, and why client relationships are central not only to his business success but also job satisfaction.
Scott and Ced explore his advice to breeders about balancing data with the cattleman’s eye, and a message for young people getting into the industry.
So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about reproductive innovation, mentorship, and bridging science with farm reality.
Key topics covered:
Ced’s 50-year veterinary career, from mixed practice (cattle, cats, dogs, poultry) to bovine reproduction specialist through the mentorship of Ced Miller
The importance of building relationships with industry leaders (Don Henderson Inverary Polled Herefords, Geoff McCamley Lancefield Brahmans) in his career growth
Expansion from a one-man operation to family involvement with his 3 adult children involved, and now managing 50+ staff
Building the state-of-the-art processing facility at Glen Aplin and education centre, plus accommodation options for up to 8 students or visiting researchers
Ced’s dedication to mentoring the next generation and addressing the university hands-on experience gap
Sexed semen as a game-changer for commercial Angus (steers at 75/25 ratio, premium pricing potential).
Innovations and scientific progress in IVF technology, when to use MOET vs IVF, and why epigenetics is emerging as a century-defining study area
Research collaborations with university researchers studying DNA fragmentation, metabolites, and epigenetics effects
Why client relationships are paramount not only to the success of Ced’s business but also to his satisfaction in the job
Ced’s advice to breeders about combining data accuracy with phenotype assessment in order to not lose the cattleman’s eye
The importance of mentorship from successful operators for young breeders and why patience and genuine passion are essential
Ced’s approach to continuous learning and development including research collaborations and international conferences

Contact details:
Connect with Ced via https://cedwiseabservices.com.au/
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.au
Producer: Mel Strasburg mel.strasburg@angusaustralia.com.au
Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Frank Archer of Landfall Angus, and Ram Savana from Enable Ag, for a conversion about business resilience, building systems, and transforming overwhelm into opportunities.
Frank shares his 150-year old six-generation family operation, Landfall Angus, and how they became Australia’s largest registered Angus seed stock breeder. Ram shares his career pivot from biotech medical devices into farming, from farmhand work to consulting and building Enable Ag.

Frank, Ram and Scott discuss how the CREW framework has helped Frank invest in the development of his team and also his own leadership, and led to a strategic reallocation of Frank’s time from 75% farmhand work to now a 25/75 hands on/leadership split. This enabled Frank to take a three-month caravan trip with is family to test the systems they’ve built and see the farm and his staff thrive.

Frank and Ram share the key business outcomes this achieved, like reduced winter feeding and improved pasture management, as well as the importance of measuring growth internally (people, career progression) versus only looking at external indicators (bull sales).
Ram shares how other farmers can get started with this process, as well as ideas for small farms to look at community resources rather than full-time staff.

So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about systems, culture, delegation and building a farming business that can thrive without you.
Key topics covered:
Frank’s 150-year old six-generation family operation, Landfall Angus, and how they became Australia’s largest registered Angus seed stock breeder
Ram’s background in biotechnology and medical device innovation, and how he pivoted into farming and eventually built Enable Ag
The time analysis that revealed Frank spent spent 75% of his time as farm hand, prompting a shift to 25% hands-on/75% leadership split
Implementing Ram’s CREW framework so that Frank could take a three month holiday to test the systems and enable his staff to act without him
Creating sustainable business resilience and both tangible outcomes (reduced winter feeding, improved pasture management) and intangible outcomes (stronger team, personal development, time freedom)
Measuring growth internally (people, career progression) versus only looking at external indicators (bull sales).
Breaking the Archer surname dependency, with non-family staff offering equal client value
Intentional investment in people and systems creating lower profit but long-term sustainability
Ram's personal story taking 4 months off for parental leave and then a 6 week holiday within the same year, while his business independence grew
How small farms can use community resources instead of full-time staff to build team culture
The need for continued hard conversations about future direction and family involvement when succession planning for the sixth generation

Contact details:
Connect with Ram via https://enableag.com.au/

Connect with Frank via https://www.landfall.com.au/
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.au
Producer: Mel Strasburg mel.strasburg@angusaustralia.com.au
Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au

In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Darryl Savage, GM Programs and Innovation at North Australian Pastoral Company for a conversation about long-term strategy, data-driven modernisation, and leading complex breeding programs at scale.
Darryl shares his 30-year meandering career journey from jackaroo to GM across Australia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He explains NAPCo’s 150-year history as a privately-owned company with 6.1M hectares, 215,000 cattle and two stabilised composite breeds.
Scott and Darryl discuss the three main markets of NAPCo’s core business, the modernisation process they have undertaken to capture data and apply AI to analyse herd performance, and the two-week carcass data feedback loop that has enabled meat quality improvements.
They explore how NAPCo maintains its remarkable company culture that has underpinned their success, the importance of scale and deliberate family-line diversity in maintaining their closed breeding program, and what Darryl views as the greatest existential threats and unprecedented opportunities for Australia’s livestock industry.
So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about long term strategy, data-driven innovation, and defending livestock’s future.
Key topics covered:
Darryls’ 30-year career journey from jackaroo through roles with MLA, UNE and now NAPCo and his work in the Middle East, Africa and Asia
NAPCo's 150-year history as a privately-owned company with 6.1M hectares, 215,000 cattle, two stabilised composite breeds (Alexandria and Kynuna).
The three markets NAPCo’s core business focuses on: 100-day JBS bullocks, Woolworths grain-fed, and the 5 Founders branded product reaching 12 countries
The modernisation process NAPCo has undertaken capturing data and applying AI to analyse herd performance with three main objectives (extract more value, provide ownership insights and enable sustainability transparency)
Why NAPCo’s breeding objectives have remained the same (fertility, growth, meat quality) for 30+ years
The ‘days to cash’ key metric that measures efficiency from birth to payment, MSA carcass feedback within two weeks to inform breeding selections, and the Polled Accelerator program targets eliminating dehorning by 2032
How NAPCo maintains its remarkable company culture that has underpinned their success
The importance of scale and deliberate family-line diversity in maintaining NAPCo’s closed breeding program for 30 years with 0.5% inbreeding rate
What Darryl views as the greatest existential threats facing livestock industries today
Positioning Australia’s grazing-based production as a competitive advantage for biodiversity preservation and the WHO One Health approach
Darryl’s advice to young people entering the agriculture industry: be patient, be practical and never forget the energy that comes from learning

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.au
Producer: Mel Strasburg mel.strasburg@angusaustralia.com.au
Audio editing and post-production: Ellen Ronalds Keene at https://perkdigital.com.au