Episode Player

In this premiere episode of the CAB Bite, host Lindsay Graber Runft sits down with Certified Angus Beef President John Stika to explore the roots of the Certified Angus Beef brand. Together, they dive into the challenges and triumphs that shaped the brand’s journey, from its humble beginnings in the late 1970s to becoming a global leader in branded beef. The episode highlights how innovation, resilience and a commitment to quality have driven the program’s lasting success. 

Key Takeaways: 

• The Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand was born out of necessity during a challenging era for both the beef industry and Angus breeders, when consumer preferences and industry focus made it tough to market Angus cattle. 
• Visionary leadership, including a pivotal letter from breeder Harold Etling and collaboration with meat scientist Dr. Bob VanStavern, helped establish the original quality specifications that remain the foundation of the program. 
• Despite early setbacks — such as having the program canceled by the USDA just a month after launch — dedication from leaders and Angus producers enabled CAB to grow into the world’s largest branded beef company, now reaching over 55 countries. 
• The CAB brand’s enduring success lies in staying true to its core mission: delivering a consistent, high-quality eating experience for consumers while driving demand and value back to Angus producers. 

Key Quotes: 

• “Out of necessity comes ingenuity...from those 10 years before the brand was started back in 1968 to 1978, the breed saw a decline in registrations of 45%.” — John Stika 
• “An Angus breeder by the name of Harold Etling shared an idea around the possibility of creating a brand and defending that brand and having specifications for quality.” — John Stika 
• “Through that time, I think those early challenges with the brand trying to build momentum...the reason that the brand is successful today isn’t so much because of the way things have changed, but perhaps the things that have stayed the same.” — John Stika 
• “We have product that’s sold in more than 55 countries, which is really, I think, a true testament to how the brand’s been able to grow.” — Lindsay Runft 

To learn more about raising premium cattle to supply the brand, visit CABcattle.com