Toplines and Tales

Merry Christmas from Toplines and Tales.

A song I wrote called Living Well and Christmas. Lyrics below:

Christmas day, no time for regret
A year gone by, a great time to reflect
A family, all around the table
The lights are on and everything is stable

If you can be really happy with yourself
And keep an eye on each others mental health
Make a serious effort in every way
No reason why it cant always feel like Christmas day

Whether you’re a farmer or...

Hugh Watson and William McCombie will go down in history as the two great men who, between them, started and shaped the Aberdeen Angus cattle breed in the 1800s. From our in-depth research, my guest Dr Bob Hough and myself discuss the merits of these two great men in a debate which will be finalised by you, the podcast listener. This episode makes up the history part of our 5th birthday celebrations and, as Bob and I are prone to do, we go off track a few times.

This episode is a condensed version of episode 214, which talks through the new album download and CD Toplines and Tales has just produced, with guest host Wallace Currie.

You an download your copy at www.toplinesandtales.bandcamp.com 

Something quite different to celebrate our 5th birthday in a special episode as my guest host Wallace Currie talks about the launch of the new Toplines and Tales Album download, The Family Farm. This is a new on-off music project with proceeds going to Farmstrong Scotland charity. In his usual superb way Wallace quizzes his guest about this project and other controversial issues. Please give it a listen for free at this link Toplines and Tales new album

We get a great insight into sheep farming in New Zealand from well-known Kiwi Daniel Wheeler. Spending a third of his year pregnancy scanning a staggering quarter of a million ewes in both New Zealand and Scotland, Dan-the-Scan and I chat about breeds of sheep, data recording, Luing cattle and sheep exports in this highly entertaining podcast.

Nuffield scholar, Jock Gibson has studied eatabilty of beef around the world and has some strong views on how we could apply some of the overseas grading principles to the beef industry in UK in this interesting insight. We have a fascinating discussion about transparency of different types of beef labeled on the consumer shelves. Jock then goes on to talk about his own Pasture for Life-certified farm in Moray as well as the family butcher’s business which give him a good vehicle to put his grassfed beef through its paces. All this is prior to him giving hi...

Fresh from a weekend in Aberdeen, what a fantastic opportunity the Youth Development Programme offers young people in the livestock community. This week I bring an episode right from the heart of the YDP finals, chatting to organisers, judges and competitors and capturing the phenomenal enthusiasm that this project inspires. 

I chat to Stephen Dodsworth about North East Live, the first fatstock show of the UK season and what can be expected there. Then I introduce a new feature from the Toplines and Tales team along with other news. 

This week I am live at the Ploughing Championships in Ireland and reporting from the Growvite All Ireland Aberdeen-angus Championships. As well as an overview of the event I speak with exhibitors and winners before catching up with some of the organisations that underpin the beef supply chain in Ireland. We finish with a recap of a couple of farm visits that I also took in, including Michael O'Leary's Giggingstown herd, and a chat with judge Ewen Campbell to get his thoughts on the cattle, the event and his own herd.

British Lion, ex-Scotland rugby captain and a legend with the oval ball, Rob Wainwright and I chat rugby, and then his move to a farm on the Hebridean Island of Coll. Rob discusses his past team-mate Doddie Weir, and the work he has been involved in the MyNamesDoddie charity foundation for Motor Neurone Disease. Finally we hear about island life and the advanced methods of regenerative farming he is now undertaking as well as his recent vice-presidency at the Royal Highland Show.

A fascinating story this week from Steve Jones, from working with possibly the two most prestigious pedigree beef herds in the UK, Maerdy and Graham’s, to managing an livestock export business in Canada and being at the pinnacle of the sheep breeding world on two continents. Steve’s infectious dedication to quality livestock coupled with his unrivalled enthusiasm, has seen him go on a journey so unique that many of us could just dream about.

Now 93 years old, Aberdeenshire legend, Harrold Murray talks about his early days in farming, Angus cattle and his lucrative bull hire business as we reminisce together in his home near Huntly.  

Re-edited to avoid character slur! 

Back to Ireland this week, chatting to John, Leo and Sean McEnroe, recapping the history of the Liss and Lissduff Angus herd, speaking about exports and their upcoming sale in August.

We are amongst Angus Royalty this week, as I speak to Dawn and Lee Wilson from the Miller Wilson herd in Alberta, Canada. They discuss the beginnings of two herds that amalgamated to one of the world’s leading names, and some of the successes and ideologies they hold dear. In a changing world, they have become suppliers of embryo genetics in all countries round the world where Angus is to the fore.

The issue of methane emissions from livestock has been a very hot topic over the last few months. In this special episode I try to look at it from all angles by chatting to a top breeder and some experts in the livestock industry, to hopefully dispel a few myths and shed some light onto current developments.

Ewan Gordon runs the family farm at Wellheads in Aberdeenshire with his father John. Running a lot of suckler cows and sheep in a streamlined operation with just the two of them managing 1250 acres, Ewan chats about his stock, their business and the future of the family farm.  

A highly interesting and inspirational chat with good friends Mike and Jane Rocks in Australia who have had a most fascinating life, recently settling into a farm in New south Wales. This pair truly are entrepreneurs of the highest order and have reinvented their life many times, through dairy farming, property development, honey packing, a yacht in Scotland and a whole list of other interesting careers before settling back down on a farm with some Angus heifers. We also discuss the opportunities that Australia can offer for youngsters from around the world to get into farming.

This week a live episode all the way from New South Wales, Australia at the World Angus Expo. During a busy weekend, I caught up with the hugely enthusiastic British and Irish Lions youth team competing in the World Angus Youth competition, as well with a chat some of the organisers of this spectacular event. 

A couple of old friends of mine, Steve and Sara Gibbons have gone on to be some of the most successful sheep breeders in UK. With a string of Fatstock show and regular top prices in Beltex, Blue Texel and its other hyrbids, we have a fun chat about modern breeding and good old times with this popular couple.  

As a lead up to the World Angus Forum next month, this episode reveals a document of a transcript from the speaker at the New Zealand Forum, over 50 years ago, from the great Bob Adam of Newhouse. Some invaluable words of wisdom in here that are as applicable now to every livestock breeder of whatever breed or species as they were back then. 

One of the world’s most prolific cattle judges, PJ Budler talks through the finer points of choosing bulls to buy, casting his wisdom over a number of sometimes controversial points. With snippets like ‘the width of the muzzle is exactly the same as the width between the pin-bones’ this is a must listen to anyone with an interest in breeding livestock.

In nearly 200 episodes of Toplines and Tales, this has to be one of the most fascinating, driving home the realization that, no matter how experienced we are, we are all still learning!

My absolute privilege this week to speak to Bill Bruce, not only one of the top farmers in Scotland but a highly successful cattle breeder whose name is synonymous with firstly Shorthorns and latterly Charolais. Bill speaks of his early ventures into Suffolk sheep, where he excelled, then a dabble with Angus before settling on the Shorthorn breed which at the time was desperately in need of performance improvement. His later move into Charolais cattle was also fruitful where he soon broke the record at 33,000. He also touches on Bruce Farms arable business, which is one of the largest...

Well known couple, Andy and  Steph Ryder now run a major business in the pedigree livestock sector in UK. This week they open up on their journey of how they got there, their home farming life and just what Pedigree Livestock Services provides to the industry.  

An interesting and informative chat with Steve McLean, head of agriculture for high-end supermarket chain, Marks and Spencers. Steve chats about his previous job as CEO of the Texel sheep society, as well as the work and ethos around M&S procurement and marketing, and their involvement with backing the UK farming community.

Limousin cattle breeder Daf Griffiths sold his family farm in West Wales and upped sticks to move to a farm nearly four times the size in Central France. He talks to us of the great weather, in mid-January, when we are enduring a massive storm, when his cows and calves are already turned out! We discuss the differences, not just in his enviable lifestyle but the type of cattle and the way the French Government looks after their farmers who provide their food.

A unique podcast, coming to you live from Denver, Colorado, USA. This episode I chat on a combined live podcast with Heath and Brock from Angus One Promotions, about what they do, including an insight into the Bonsmara theory, Heath’s visit to Wye Plantation and the relevance of pedigrees. We also go through the highlights of the National Western stock Show, as well as the tables turned as they interview me!

Great to chat to Angus breeder Colin Davidson from Skaill on the Orkney Islands. Not many people can state that they have been instrumental in changing a breed once, but this week’s guest is well into his second go. We chat through the 50-year history of the herd and the pioneering spirit that Colin has invested in it in this thought provoking interview, which also includes some interesting views on the future of methane reduction.

With such a busy year almost past, this week I reminisce about the year that was with a Christmas message to all our listeners. 

One of Ireland's hottest talents in the cattle show ring, Cathal talks about his influences and experience not just at the halter but also behind the scenes. Hailing from near Limerick, his skills have been in demand not just in Ireland but around UK and also Europe. 

An interesting chat with Andrew Bishop from Gloucestershire who would have been the top man to beat in the carcass lamb competitions throughout UK for two or three decades. Although winding his workload down now, there are some great snippets of wisdom for everyone in this podcast.

And a bit of live racing from son Charlie in the background!

From a small Scottish based herd started 90 years ago, to selling the record price Angus bull, Texas Thunderstruck for $360,000, (£160,000) the Australian Texas Angus herd have become a dominant force of breeding throughout the world. Ben and Wendy Mayne talk us through the expansion of the herd to nearly 1000 pedigree cows, selling close to 400 bulls per year and how sustainability and minimum inputs have advanced their breeding system. We also hear a brief preview of the World Angus forum to be held in Australia next year.

Dave Murray is well known in pedigree cattle circles, both as a breeder and judge. He talks us through his young years in the Angus breed and the changes that occurred including bringing in a measuring stick to try and improve them! Through a lifetime with both Angus and Charolais cattle we relive a bit of history, including him being in charge of the conception of the first Charolais to win Smithfield show.

A special podcast live from the Irish Aberdeen Angus Extravaganza in Tipperary, with some great chat with many breeders and other highly interesting characters over a two day spectacular weekend.

Thanks to Shane Murphy and the society for asking me over to record the event. 

A man that needs no introduction, Jimmy has been involved in pedigree beef cattle  man and boy. Hailing from Ross-shire in Scotland, we hear of the herds and cattle he has worked with, including a few great stories, as well as his short venture into the oil business. in this entertaining episode. 

The Irish Aberdeen Angus Extravaganza will be held at Thurles, Tipperary on weekend 5th and 6th October. In the first of a series, this week I speak to secretary Shane Murphy about what to expect in this exceptional event. 

There is a huge lack of clarity around the Blue Tongue Virus and its impact, spread symptoms and longer term risks on the UK livestock industry. I have a long chat with Phil Stocker, CEO of the National sheep association who is generally respected as an expert in the disease. Using questions raised on social media as well as my own inquisitiveness, Phil dispels some myths as well as providing some essential clarification on the situation.

Now in its 100th year, Willie McLaren has evolved the Netherton Angus herd to move in a slightly different direction to many of the other breeders in UK. A renown cattle judge, Willie has instigated a change towards easier fleshed and maybe smaller cattle and he now holds a successful annual female sale also utilizing online bidding, as well as supplying top genetics around the world. We also talk about his association with the Wagyu breed and how that system works, with Highland Wagyu now supplying many of UK’s restaurants with prized quality fullblood Wagyu beef which is in...

Tom Burke is one of the giants of the World's cattle industry. Still actively conducting Angus Cattle sales throughout USA into his 80s, Tom's knowledge of the cattle industry, and particularly Angus, knows no equal. Tom chats to me about his co-authorship of the book The History of Aberdeen Angus in US, UK and Worldwide where his input has been invaluable in creating this magnificent volume that will stand as a reference point for a whole host of livestock subjects for many generations.

Vince Corbett, along with his family, from the Welsh borders has slowly risen to the top of the tree in the Charolais cattle world, being the herd to beat in the show ring. Vince chats about their easy-care sheep, his venture into Limousin cattle as well as the mechanics of his top Charolais herd. We also get into a discussion about the myostatin gene, among other things.

From someone who didn’t start with a farming background, Steve Smith’s rise to Welsh Sheep farmer of the year, now running over 1100 acres, has been a fascinating story. Best known for his Pen Parc Texel flock, an in-demand judge, Steve has had to make his farm pay with contributions from diversification into a number of areas, including falconry, photography and hydro-electricity as well as his large sheep enterprise.

A bonus episode this week, with two giants in the US livestock industry, John Dawes and Dr Jim Gibb.

John Dawes a contemporary and colleague of Herman Purdy who collaborated on an earlier successful volume called Breeds of Cattle gives an overview of his position in the US cattle world. This is followed by Dr Jim Gibb, a world leading expert in cattle genomics in USA who gives a brief history of how genomics were developed into what we have today. Both having reviewed our book, The History of Aberdeen-Angus cattle in US, UK and Around the...

As well as being a top Angus cattle breeder, Ken Howie, from Cairnton, Aberdeenshire has converted his farm into the ultimate in diversification. His Deesisde Activity park offers a whole range of outdoor pursuits including karting, fishing, shooting and even axe throwing. We chat about his business in beautiful Royal Deeside, as well as his Cairnton Angus herd. 

Megan Friel is a top Angus breeder in New Zealand, so we discuss her earlier years a major sheep farmer, her and her husband’s modern Mt Mable commercial bull stud, as well her current association with the New Zealand Angus association. Dr Bob Hough joins in as we compare the different systems and type of cattle between NZ, US and UK, discovering some surprising similarities with Scotland.  

The name Lindertis has been etched in history through the world-famous Angus bull Lindertis Evulse which sold for a record price in 1963. I speak to Tom Hopkinson, a grandson of Sir Torquil Munro and a pedigree Angus breeder in his own right, about some of those halcyon days. We discuss his even more famous Great Grand Father, Sir Hugh Munro who named all the mountains in Scotland. Tom also talks of their other business interests as well as their own top Angus herd and an upcoming dispersal sale.  

I may have been quiet on the podcast front for a while as I have been very busy writing. We can now announce that we have just competed a 2 and half year project writing the History of Aberdeen-Angus in the US, UK and worldwide. In this episode, Dr Bob Hough and I discuss what you can expect in this coffee-table styled book, as well as how it came together and the challenges this 540 page tome presented. You can find more about it at www.angushistorybook.com 

Welcome to our fourth Toplines and Tales Podquiz. 4 more rounds this week, which include sports people in livestock, a new special livestock Music round, plus a final round on the history of livestock.

So go on, pitch in with your livestock knowledge, just for fun. Answers at the end. #quiz #quizzing #sheepquiz #cattlequiz 

Another great guest in this series about characters in the livestock scene, again a man who needs no introduction, top stockman Jim McMillan. Having just had his 90th birthday, Jim tells of his start with showing fatstock and his great successes at Smithfield, as well as his days with Seawell charolais and the unrivaled show cow, Kilkenny Celia. We also hear about his highly successful stint at Moston Muir with Angus and Galloways. 

Photo courtesy TSF

Welcome to our second Toplines and Tales Podquiz. Only 4 rounds this week and a much more international flavour to suit some of our listeners around the world

So go on, pitch in with your livestock knowledge, just for fun. Answers at the end. #quiz #quizzing #sheepquiz #cattlequiz 

Embark on an enlightening journey through the diverse world of livestock with the "Top Lines and Tales Livestock Quiz". This intriguing trivia session will challenge your knowledge on a variety of subjects related to sheep, cattle breeds, sale locations, diseases, and much more!

Decode the language of sheep, identify the origins of different breeds, and feed your curiosity with astounding facts about the sheer number of sheep in Australia and unravel the mysteries behind the infamous foot rot disease. Dive into the broad diversity of livestock across geographical boundaries and crack industry-specific acronyms as you enjoy these...

John Cameron CBE is a man that needs no introduction. From being Scotland’s largest sheep farmer, running 800 suckler cows, a beef cattle contract with Waitrose and a herd of pedigree Hereford cattle, we chat live at his farm in Fife about his incredible career in agriculture. We also have a fun a great chat about his other passion, trains, hearing some superb stories from the great man in this unmissable episode!  

Neil Wattie from Aberdeenshire runs one of the top herds of Aberdeen-Angus in Britain. Talking us through the beginnings and the initial families in his Tonley herd, it is not hard to see why he and his son Mark are now consistently at the forefront of the breed in UK. We also hear about his ‘day job’ as head of a large agricultural machinery dealership and a few ventures into other breeds but is his passion for the Angus characteristics that definitely shine through in this informative chat.

Try your luck on the Toplines and Tales Livestock Quiz, hosted by Andy Frazier. Our very first quiz this week has 5 rounds, although one of those is visual. This quiz is mainly UK and Ireland based questions although future quizzes will include questions from the rest of the world.

Round 3, Logos round can be found here https://andyfrazier.wixsite.com/ttquiz

Welcome to an engaging episode of 'Toplines and Tails' featuring Sally Crowe, a renowned and inspiring crofter from Caithness renowned for her efforts in wool wrapping and diversification in agriculture. Sally, a single mother inheriting a 25-acre croft, is a shining example of women empowerment in the field of agriculture. Follow along with her intriguing journey which spans from her cattle and sheep rearing, to remote working, global travels, wool handling show participation, and striving in the face of debilitating illness.

With resilience unmatched, Sally, even after falling victim to Q fever, continued with the extensive farming...

Often referred to as the Welsh Wizard, Esmor Evans needs no introduction, being one of the nations leading cattle breeders for a number of decades. As well as the successes of his top herd of Maerdy Charolais cattle, we chat about his other herds/flocks along with his business as a full-time vet in this highly interesting episode.

A great chat with communicator and social influencer Wallace Currie from Dumfries, originally from Arran. This young man is such a great orator it’s no wonder he has been assigned the lead of communications for Scotland Young Farmers, a lecturer in farm diversification, and a current Nuffield scholar as well as running a successful podcast.

This episode gets fascinating chat with angus breeder John Henning from Northern Ireland.  As well as running the top Drumcorn herd with his wife, former banker John has a busy life throughout the agricultural industry with directorships and trustee roles in some highly prestigious organizations and has been awarded an OBE for his services to agriculture.

The second half of our trip to Argentina took us to Mendoza in the west where we stayed in a vineyard and visited a few more. I hope this has captured some of the culture of the vines, wines and country, as well as a chat with some of our tour guests, and even a sing-song. 

A chance of a lifetime to accompany a trip of great folks to Argentina to look at some cows. The first of two special episodes, where I did my best to explain the trip as well as capturing snippets of conversations with some of the many huge farms that we visited. 

Still at our Christmas Party, which just kept getting better. This time someone posed the question of the best beast that maybe should have won Smithfield but didn’t which set the minds of my highly knowable guests to work. As the drink flowed, Stuart Hunter recalled his last Smithfield kist party drinking out of a Pringles tube, Donald discussed the excessive size of modern show winners with some solid opinions added from some wise men, before eventually persuading Ian Anderson to sing us a ditty!

This is an absolutely priceless listen!

In part 2 of our Christmas party, we reminisce about some of the nights ‘downtown’ in London before my fellow cattle steward, Julian, and I have more serious chat about the challenges of running the show. Then follows some stories about the frequent visits of the Royal family, and a few rather hilarious tales around that.

This week we hosted an online Christmas kist party for our listeners to celebrate 19 years since we were all last at Royal Smithfield Show together. Taking about legends in the fatstock world, to legends in the fatstock world, we start with a roll of honour for all those champion winners over 50+ years which morphs into more general chitchat and tales from the event with over 40 distinguished guests. As the party went on until 2am, this is the first hour, with more shenanigans and craic to follow as the drink flowed!

A familiar character about the show scene, Kenny Sutherland and his family run one of the largest livestock operations in the North of Scotland, with 2000 ewes and 400 suckler cows. A past champion winner at Smithfield and an involvement in the Highland show, Kenny discusses their more recent success with the Longhorn breed as a base for their cows, as well as Cheviots, Texels and Suffolk sires in the sheep. They have also diversified into tourism at Sibmister Mains in Caithness.

Started by Lord Nuffield in 1947, the Nuffield Farming Scholarship has been paramount to the success of many candidates who have applied and reaped the rewards. Now with over 1000 scholars being awarded I speak to Nuffield's Charlotte Mersen about the fascinating history of the Lord, the Award, and its current operations in UK and around the world.    

Marteye has been an incredible success story since the start of Covid lockdown, a system now used by over 100 livestock markets across Ireland and UK to stream online sales and facilitate bidding. I speak with one of its founders, Jamie Nolan, about their journey and what the company now offers 2.5 million farmers who now tune into to sales, bringing local and national marts into their own homes.

Highly interesting chat with Frenchman Olivier Rambert, the manager of Interlim, the commercial arm of the Limousin cattle society in France, based at the Pole du Lanaud station. Holding 4 bull sales per year they market upwards of 500 bulls selected from the best in the country. With many going for export, the bulls have undergone strict tests, not just for weight and muscle but also genomics and temperament. We also hear the differences in beef consummation between France and its neighbouring countries, particularly around eating older animals  

Robert Groom is rather unusual guest, being an Englishman in New York! Having dispersed his Angus herd in Scotland he has been breeding top Angus in USA for 25 years and is a regular exhibitor on the American show circuit. A great ambassador for the breed, he also reveals that he is behind the set-up of a nucleus herd of American type Angus back in Scotland.   

A quite unusual special short episode live from the Young Handlers section of the Stars of the Future calf show at Stirling. This episode is backed up with photos and short video on our Toplines and Tales Facebook page.

Welshman Arwel Owen is not only a top Charolais cattle breeder and judge, but also a man who sees, assesses and buys a lot of bulls through his day job as Beef Supply Chain Manager for Genus, one of the world’s leading semen supply companies. This week we get a fascinating insight into the changing state of the industry both at home and worldwide as beef-from-dairy makes rapid inroads, while Arwel furnishes us with some excellent words of wisdom gained by 40 years in the business.

A man who has been on the UK cattle showing scene for a long while, large as life Jason Wareham chats about the family farm shop business, his and his wife Sarah's successful journey with Galloway cattle and their herd of British Blues. Add in some pedigree sheep, an abattoir, a haulage business, as well as a busy judging schedule and you can understand why it took me  while to track Jason down to speak to me on Toplines and Tales!

It was my pleasure to sit down with The Late Jim Stobo, OBE, in his home 10 years ago and record some of his wisdom. Sadly no longer with us, Jim was one of the great men in the UK livestock business, holding a number of senior positions throughout the industry. His depth of knowledge both historical and recent on a whole range of subjects, particularly with Angus cattle, was just astounding.

One of the most successful Angus and Hereford breeders in Ireland, Mathew Goulding talks through his journey with both breeds. Mathew attributes his initial success by applying principles in female families that he learned through growing up on a dairy farm. With wise words such as ‘every cow has to be a machine in your factory’ and ‘idle cows are a drain on resources, adding to carbon footprint’, you soon get an understanding why Mathew has become one of the highest regarded cattle breeders in Europe.

From a top stockman to one of the most successful breed CEO’s, David Benson has been involved in Charolais cattle, both man and boy. We have a chat about his early years with the breed as well as his reflection on what he and the breed has achieved during his 29 years at the helm of such a great society.   

Top auctioneer from North East England, Drew Patrick, speaks to me about the essential role of the livestock auction market in UK as well as the state of play with the industry, before delving into some more controversial subjects in current livestock business.

Gavin Douglas was a highly respected sheep breeder in the Scottish Borders who sadly died earlier this year. I chat to his neighbour and friend Derek Redpath about the prowess of Gavin and how his South Country Cheviot flock has been consistently at the top of the breed, as well as his depth of knowledge across the sheep industry.

Phil Stocker has been CEO for the National Sheep Association for 12 years and he gives us an insight into what the NSA provide for the UK sheep industry. We discuss animal welfare, general sheep statistics and the prospect of the live export trade re-opening for breeding animals, among a host of other interesting sheep facts including carbon responsibility and what NSA are doing to encourage youngsters into the industry.

An entertaining episode when I chat with fellow podcaster, Noel Clancy, based in southern Ireland who runs the highly successful ‘Out the Gap’ podcast. His monthly podcast speaks to folks in live rural locations and he compares the difference and tribulations with live recording versus studio. We also kick some conversation about the price of food, some ribbing about the rugby and few other interesting subjects.

Hill farmer and social influencer Gareth talks candidly through how we must work harder to try and resolve the disconnect between agriculture and the general public. Through his high-profile media presence, he also speaks about how we all need to pull together as well, as issues of mental health and protecting the environment.

Film producer Gareth Fielding divulges a fascinating look into what happens behind the scenes filming the popular series This Farming Life which airs on BBC TV shortly. From choosing the farmers, filming from the shadows and the hours of recording that need to be edited into 12 hours of viewing, this really is a fascinating insight into how mainstream media works from the programme’s producer.                                                   

This week one of UK’s leading breeders and stockmen, Ali Jackson, speaks to us about his many successes as well as an insight into some of his feeding regimes. We are also joined by Jordan Aitken, local representative from Harbro about how their feed helps customers such as Ali towards producing their stock in such top condition.

Another well known face around the cattle lines across Scotland, Bob McWalter shares some of his life and stories with Toplines and Tales from a long, fun-filled and able career in the business. 

My great friend and real 'character' Jan Green has a birthday today, so it was fantastic to catch up with her to talk about the early days in the British Blues, hers and John’s leap of faith move to North Scotland and their successes ever since. Some great craic and reminisces on this one, even with John in the background!                                    

This week a combination podcast, with my character in livestock being the well known George Harvey, and a recording live from the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells in this highly spontaneous if not somewhat challenging episode.

Bruce Mair of the Muiresk Suffolk and Texel flocks in Turriff needs little introduction as one of the greatest minds in the sheep world. He speaks of the early days when the flock continued to annually break records, before we discuss the more recent venture into Beltex in this fascinating interview.

This week we run a special episode which some of you may have seen at the Scottish beef event, when it was my privilege to speak to Professor John Gilliland, a man who really knows his stuff in the beef business and, more importantly, has an incredible foresight into the future of our industry and particularly Carbon measurement and Net Zero. A must listen for every beef farmer, worldwide.

One of the greatest characters in Scottish livestock, Ken Fletcher, long time editor of the Scottish Farmer magazine, shortly due to retire, talks through his times at the paper and the livestock industry in general, bringing along his usual wit and craic.

One of the most successful Angus breeders and showmen in Ireland, I speak to the well known and respected Albert De Cogan about his 60 yeas in showing cattle, and his links with the breed.

Not just any rancher, Jaclyn Wilson and her father from Nebraska have just won 2023 National Beef Quality Assurance Cow/Calf Producer of the Year out of over 700,000 beef cow operators in the United States. Running a large herd on the Nebraska Sandhills, an area she likens to ‘the Sahara Desert, only with vegetation,’ stock rate is 1 pair to 15-20 acres! As well as being on the board of the NCBA, Jaclyn has recently launched their own beef label marketing an Environmentally produced product at Flying Diamond Beef Ranch.

I speak about sheep shearing with possibly two of the funniest guys in agriculture, Dye Clark and Cammy Wilson, as we preview the Golden Shears world sheep shearing event due in Edinburgh next week. One is chief commentator and the other a competitor, both with a huge depth of knowledge of the sport.  

Scotland doesn’t have many characters more ‘larger than life’ than my guest this week, Albert Howie from Aberdeenshire. Albert tells of his early days in continental sheep, his business dealings in Eastern Europe, before moving on to the Texel and Limousin flocks for which Knock is better known.

From a family background in pedigree sheep and learning his trade at 2 of the country's top Texel flocks, Jeff Aitken has spent 14 years building up the top flock at Procters Farms. Now with the added responsibility of being Chairman of the Texel sheep Society, we talk through his achievements as well as the planned celebrations for the breeds 50th birthday next year. 

As a preview to the Scottish Beef Event I speak with Peter Langdale, owner of the 5000 acre Dalswinton Estate near Dumfries where it will be hosted. We discuss beef cattle, the future of the suckler cow and delve into issues such as sustainability, biodiversity and carbon responsibility. I also get a chat with Scott Henderson, chairman of the event, as to what will be on show at this bi-annual must-visit affair. 

Top stockman and breeder Jimmy Wilson talks of his early days working for Gordon Blackstock which got him started in Suffolk sheep and his Bridgetown flock. Along with a few other select breeders from the Aberdeenshire area, they ruled the roost in the Suffolk sheep world for a good few decades. Jimmy went on to be a top Charolais cattle breeder also, and was chairman and president of both societies. With such depth of knowledge in the livestock world, he offers us all some invaluable advice.  

I have a great chat with Yorkshire butcher, Slacky, a real character who not only offers fantastic products, but quirky over the counter advice on how to cook and prepare. A brilliant advocate of not only British products but locally sourced meat, it is the way that social media has massively increased his business that makes this a fascinating, informative and entertaining listen.

My guest this week, Mike Alford is certainly not a man who does things by halves. With 3 pedigree herds, 3 pedigree flocks, all at the top of their game, as well a successful wholesale meat business a butcher’s shop and fattening unit, he and his family certainly live life to the full. With a love of showing, he says: ‘You can’t beat livestock, it’s good for the mind!’

This week we get together with two Irish brothers, John and Leo McEnroe, not only great cattle breeders but with plenty of stories to tell, including driving 16 cattle to Oldcastle show on the road and home again! From their father Bartle's excellent beginnings, now running two separate herds, both men are right at the top of their game in the Angus world.

Donald Biggar was not only a man who had massive respect in the beef cattle industry but part of a dynasty. I speak with his son Duncan about his father, grand-father and great grand-father and the thing they all had in common, not just breeding top animals but a gentle way of overseeing proceedings and finding ways forward.   

Chatting to Aberdonian,  Rich Thompson, a very understated but talented stockman. We hear about him working in New Zealand as a youngster and then his time at Bankhead Angus when they were the top of their game. Rich not only won Smithfield on his first visit but was the first to win it with a Limousin sired beast. Now semi-retired he still keeps his hand in, helping the McKechnie family with Highland cattle. His brother Friar also gets a mention.

A celebration this week as I have a most enjoyable chat with one of livestock's Golden couples, Ian and Madge Anderson as they celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. In his usual chatty way Ian talks us through his early days with Angus, his time at Rushmore and the fun this formidable team have had over the years in a most delightful episode. 

I am honoured this week to speak to one of the UK's greatest livestock auctioneers, former boss of United Auctions, David Leggat, MBE. We hear how David started at Perth Market as an office boy straight from school and conducted his first sale of pedigrees, selling pigs in Ireland! The personable way he has with people has not only taken him to the pinnacle of his profession but made him one of the most likeable men in the pedigree industry. 

Veteran stockman Dennis Gall shares his exploits with the Galloway breed among others in a highly interesting chat. Among his successes we hear about his bull nearly getting beaten in the show ring by a rabbit and, in his delightfully modest way, how he has helped and nurtured a lot of the younger generation of stockmen.