Behind the Beef
Scott Wright, CEO Angus Australia
4.6from 5 ratings
- 94
- Episodes
- 5
- Ratings
- Daily
- Cadence
- 2020
- First episode
About Behind the Beef
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.
- Publisher
- Scott Wright, CEO Angus Australia
- Category
- education
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 3 Mar 2020
- Latest episode
- 5 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
94 episodes in the feed.
5 Oct 2026
Episode 46 | The Challenge of Tropically Adapted Angus, with Ben and Olivia Wright, Munda Reds Droughtmaster Stud
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Ben and Olivia Wright, managers of Munda Reds Droughtmaster Stud, for a conversation about their established Droughtmaster breeding operation and ambitious new Ultrablack program. Ben and Olivia share how Munda Reds operates from Gingin (1 hour north of Perth) and Munda Station near Port Hedland (17 hours north) with 7,000 Droughtmaster breeders. Their five-year-old stud sells 100+ bulls annually, built on genetic testing at Munda Station identifying which bloodlines work in harsh conditions. Two years ago, conversations about Angus eating quality reputation sparked the decision to trial Ultrablack genetics. This season, 180 black embryo calves are hitting the ground, and they’re recording detailed data across Droughtmaster, Brangus, and Ultrablack programs. Scott, Ben and Olivia discuss what harsh Munda conditions demand: 48-degree temperatures, 2.5-5km water walks, extended poor-nutrition periods requiring absolutely sound, compact, tough cattle. Oliva explains how female performance decides success, and Ben explains why Ultrablack genetics work where purebred Angus won’t. They’re prioritising proof over profit, comparing genetics through backgrounding, feedlotting, and carcass data rather than rushing bulls to market. Scott and Ben finish their conversation discussing the economic opportunity of reduced herd numbers with higher productivity if Ultra Blacks do produce more kilos per animal, and their five-year vision for 300 Ultrablack females and 300 Droughtmaster females producing 150 of each sex annually. So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about breeding black cattle in the tropics, genetic innovation, and the importance of proof before profit. Key topics covered: How Munda Reds operates from Gingin WA (8,000 acres, 500-700mm rainfall, 1 hour north of Perth) and Munda Station (under 1 million acres, 7,000 Droughtmaster breeders, 17 hours north near Port Hedland) The Droughtmaster stud operation selling 100+ bulls annually through an established sale, built on five years of testing genetics at Munda Station to identify working bloodlines and eliminate unsuitable genetics quickly The challenge of tropical adaptation with eating quality drove the decision to trial Ultrablack genetics, seeking to breed black cattle suited to northern stations while maintaining Angus eating quality, fertility, and survivability How Ben and Olivia sourced Palgrove Ultrablack donor dams and semen shares two years ago, with 180 black embryo calves hitting the ground this season across rigorous data-recording programs. The importance of crawl, walk, run approach: proving the concept through data rather than rushing to market, following calves through backgrounding, feedlotting, and carcass evaluation before selling bulls. What harsh Munda Station conditions demand (48-degree temperatures, 2.5-5km walks for water, extended poor-nutrition periods) and the need for absolutely sound, compact, tough cattle structurally adapted for survival. How female performance will decide success, proving the Ultrablack female's survival, growth, fertility, and eating quality comes before bull sales would naturally follow. Ben and Olivia’s aggressive temperament culling standard, with zero tolerance for attitude in weaning yards. Why Ultrablack genetics work where purebred Angus won't: tropical adaptation of bulls for station conditions plus fertility and durability of females, while keeping Brahman content under 25% to maintain Angus identity. The economic opportunity of reduced herd numbers with higher productivity if Ultrablacks produce more kilos per animal, potentially justifying premium pricing through superior feedlot performance and eating quality. How AI (50% conception) and embryo transfer (52-54% take rate) accelerate genetic gain by stacking top genetics across generations, potentially advancing 30 years of progress in 5 years. Ben and Olivia's five-year vision: 300 Ultrablack females and 300 Droughtmaster females producing 150 males and 150 females of each annually for station and external sale. Contact details: Find out more about Munda Reds Droughtmaster Stud at https://mundareds.com.au/ (https://mundareds.com.au/) This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/ (https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/) +Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/angusaustralia.com.au) + Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/angusaustralia/) + X (https://twitter.com/angusaustralia) + LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/angus-australia/) + +Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AngusYouthAustralia) + Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/angus_youth_australia/) + X (https://twitter.com/angusyouthaus) + 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 (https://perkdigital.com.au/)
28 Sept 2026
Episode 45 | Global AgriTrends Market Update September 2026, with Simon Quilty
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/ (https://agritrends.com/) This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/ (https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/) +Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/angusaustralia.com.au) + Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/angusaustralia/) + X (https://twitter.com/angusaustralia) + LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/angus-australia/) + +Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AngusYouthAustralia) + Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/angus_youth_australia/) + X (https://twitter.com/angusyouthaus) + 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 (https://perkdigital.com.au/)
21 Sept 2026
Episode 44 | Feedlot Industry Growth and Global Opportunities, with Grant Garey, Teys Australia
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/ (https://au.teysgroup.com/) Find out more about ALFA here https://www.feedlots.com.au/ (https://www.feedlots.com.au/) Find out more about BeefEx here https://www.beefex.com.au/ (https://www.beefex.com.au/) This podcast is proudly brought to you by Angus Australia https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/ (https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/) +Follow Angus Australia on + Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/angusaustralia.com.au) + Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/angusaustralia/) + X (https://twitter.com/angusaustralia) + LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/angus-australia/) + +Follow Angus Youth Australia on + Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AngusYouthAustralia) + Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/angus_youth_australia/) + X (https://twitter.com/angusyouthaus) + 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 (https://perkdigital.com.au/)
Who has been a guest on Behind the Beef
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
- Scott Wright
- Mel Strasburg
- Jake Phillips
- Erica Halliday
- Sinclair Munro
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- Spotify
- 4.6 / 5
- 5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
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- Quality
- 42
- Social presence
- 97
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 68
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