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
  • Producer Profitability, Levy Reform and Trade Resilience, with Will Evans, Cattle Australia

    Producer Profitability, Levy Reform and Trade Resilience, with Will Evans, Cattle Australia
    Mar 30 2026
    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 beef Advice for young people getting into the industry and the massive Southeast Asia opportunityPull quotes:"Cattle Australia has a dual function. The initial function was a peak voice for cattle producers [in a] lobbying role with government…We picked up additional role in nineties when we became prescribed industry body under Australian Meat Livestock Industries Act. Part of our task specifically is overseeing and having strategic input into allocation of our levies—MLA, AHA, NRS. We work very closely with those three organizations around how levies are allocated, what they're going towards.""We've called a review of the cattle transaction levy. We're the only entity that can do that. The challenge we have is we haven't amended it in any way, shape, or form in 20 years. Some recipient bodies, we haven't amended anything to do with what funds they receive since 1998. Industry has changed significantly. Requirements we place on these institutions has changed significantly." "We have an obsession in this country at federal level, especially at the regulatory level, around emissions from activities. But cattle producers in so many ways—you need to take a landscape level look. Yes, we have activities generating emissions, but business decisions we make daily to improve land conditions sequester carbon and methane. Measuring output only isn't considering the full operations of business." “ We really realigned that focus on producer profitability…If producers aren't making money, they can't be investing in sustainability initiatives or any of these additional things that are becoming more commonplace within the industry. Profitability is the thing that underpins all of these desires and aspirations that our supply chain has for us.”"So much of what happens in global beef industry in the next 20 years is going to be decided here. Obviously Brazil is a huge beast; what they do from a feedlotting perspective is absolutely fascinating. But from the technical side of things, we [Australia] are right at the forefront. For us it's harnessing that opportunity and really continuing to lead global industry in the right direction." "Advice for young people: do lot more listening than you do talking. Ask questions because one of amazing things about our industry is how generous people are with their time, especially with young people, in teaching and passing on knowledge. You can learn more in afternoon sitting at the right pub with the right people asking the right questions than you can in six months of Gatton [Ag College]." Relevant links mentioned in the episode:Cattle Australia https://cattleaustralia.com.au/Contact ...
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 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
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