Toplines and tales: Recent Episodes
Andy Frazier
Podcast about all things to do with livestock showing, past and present, including interviews, discussions and general chitchat.
To wrap up this 3 episode series, we look at the commercial aspects of the modern Ryeland sheep and identify where it sits within todays sheep industry. I speak to top commercial sheep breeder Bobby Morgan about his large Ryeland flock as well as Philippa Gray about her journey into the breed and how Ryeland meat takes pride of place in their farm-shop and butchery.
In this, episode 2, of the Ryeland sheep podcast, we discuss the finer points of wool with one of the country's leading experts who also happens to be a long standing Ryeland breeder, Stephen Hipps. This certainly is highly educational for anyone with an interest in sheep.
I also speak to Susan Bryden from Dumfries about how the Ryeland breed has spread its way across the UK and beyond.
In the first of a 3 part series for the Ryeland Flock Book Society, I speak to an old friend of the Toplines and Tales podcast, livestock historian Clive Davies, as well as local breeder Jonathan Webb, about the ancient history of the Ryeland Breed.
Dating back to medieval times, the breed rose to prominence in Herefordshire and the surrounding areas and found global fame for its excellent quality wool. We speak about it's remarkable journey through the ages in a highly interesting episode.
After 5 years creating and running the Toplines and Tales podcast, and 4 months away from it being extremely busy, T&T is back.
Going forward, we will have a variety of formats, but still include some good guests and interviews.
This week we start a series of short poems, written by myself, and others. I have also narrated this one, but we will may have guest narrators in future ones.
Volcano is based on a true story, about a real cow and our exploits at The Royal Show. The story was first previewed in my book In Bed With Cows, some 10 years ago. If you have ever heard me after-dinner speaking, she has often been part of my subject matter.
This week is an interesting and inspiring story from Andrew Keiley who runs the Hardrow Limousin herd alongside his sheep enterprise in Hawes, North Yorkshire. From being born in Manchester suburbs, and the family farm being sold before he had chance to get started, to working his way through the industry, living in a caravan before eventually getting his own farm. We discuss his pedigree interests and Andrew not only tells us of his steps and pitfalls on the way as well as some inspirational advice to youngsters to never let go of your dream.
After a trip to France to speak to an Angus Producers Group a few weeks ago, I pull together some highly interesting guests who cover some quite unusual subjects. Scottish beef in France, a beef vending machine, 100% grants for solar panel barns, a highly intensive sheep enterprise and growing onion seeds; this podcast will open a few eyes to how France is much more forward thinking in a lot of sectors when it comes to farming. Huge thanks go to the very articulate Sara Ollis for her help with this one, and the great chat that concludes this episode.
Three real characters: Scott Brown, Derek Redpath and Findlay McIntire join me this week for a blether as we have our annual Christmas get together over a few drams. Our topics cover those we have lost this year, great men who have mentored us, top breeds of cattle as well as getting into controversial waters around trees, climate change and carbon nonsense. As always happens, our two and a half hours together involve much hilarity and some cracking stories, particularly from Findlay, on his first appearance on the show. With statements like ‘rewilding? As if the ground here on Rannoch isn’t wild enough already!’; pick your way through this and you’ll hear some incredibly good advice from these three wise men!
If Christmas day gets too much, stick your feet up in the back room, some headphones on and enjoy this one with a dram.
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 just involved
There are always problems to be solved
But try and take it easy, don’t get stressed
These things will put you to the tes
Living well, isn’t just a Christmas treat
Starting with the diet, watch out what you eat
A little exercise, it helps the flow
Maybe take a walk out in the snow
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
Now go and have your turkey, you deserve
And with all the trimmings that’s been served
Take a little time out for the kids
Maybe get a look inside your eye lids
And don’t forget the others; a neighbour or a friend
who maybe didn’t have the money to spend
Perhaps go and knock on their door
Or at least give them a call……….
Because talking is the best release
to help your troubles decrease
and its always a two-way street
when you smile at everyone you meet
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
Try and keep that upbeat feeling going
Even if outside it won’t stop snowing
And if you ever feel that things are wrong
You can always find some help at "Farmstrong!"
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
If you can be really happy with yourself
And keep an eye on everyone’s mental health
Make a serious effort in every way
No reason why it cant always feel like Christmas day
Merry Christmas
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 his paper at the forthcoming Nuffield Conference.
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 in Scotland.
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 such high demand.
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 World, they give us their honest opinion of what the book means in a modern society.
They also discuss our new book, The History of Aberdeen Angus in US, UK and Worldwide, as both have been early reviewers of it.
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 enthralling episodes.
Extend your understanding with questions about cattle breeds, their origins, and their characteristics. Take a closer look at breeds such as the stabiliser, the Dexter, and many more. Conclude this farmyard voyage by shedding light on the myostatin gene and the origins of the Pinsgauer cattle.
With this quiz, you won't just be testing your knowledge, but immersing yourself into an educational and intriguing exploration of the heart of the livestock world. Prepare for the ultimate challenge and brace yourself for a bountiful discovery. Tune in to "Toplines and Tales Livestock Quiz" now!
This was written by a robot!
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 tasks, working uphill towards recovery. In this episode, you learn how adversity fostered creativity and brought about sustainable farming practices. Delve into the insights of an energetic, single parent balancing work and family while also care-taking elderly parents.
Gain a unique perspective on managing responsibilities while maintaining optimism. Learn about the intriguing parts of farm life, including rotational grazing, legislating regenerative agriculture, and being part of a fascinating Irish cow breed society. Based far north of Inverness, Sally successfully navigates these daily chores with a sense of humour and determination.
Turn up the volume as we explore Sally's progressive journey, who emerged successful despite odds. Starting from a humble, small-scale farmer, she is now leveraging social media to broaden her farming business while establishing direct consumer connections. This episode also delves into the intricate relationship between environment-friendly farming practices, carbon audits, and sustainability.
Dive into discussions as Sally discusses her success using social platforms extending from Facebook to TikTok. Disproving misconceptions about digital technology among farming communities, Sally's use of social platforms is indeed a journey not to be missed.
In the last part of the episode, Sally shares her insights on the quintessence of farming, discussing financial aspects, environmental issues, crucial farm data and emergency planning from her wealth of experience. Revealing how emergency planners strengthen families and the farming community, she also touches upon challenges and learnings from her journey.
Tune into this riveting dialogue to get an exceptional perspective into farming and the potential for innovative and worthwhile business opportunities within the industry, offered by the inspiring Sally Crowe.
BTW, an AI machine wrote this text! Pretty good eh?
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.
Although the very first lady to have their portrait hung in the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Club, the name of Sal Forbes may not be familiar to everyone but she really was a true inspiration not just to cattle breeders worldwide but to all women in the industry. With a deep pedigree of high achievers in her family, Dr Bob Hough highlights some of their fascinating history before we hear how Sal, with her husband Waldo, started and shaped the Red Angus breed by instigating and promoting high performance.
This week we chat to a Scotsman in Argentina, who has been there some 60 years, man and boy, working with and bringing out some of the best cattle in the country. As he casually mentions winning more than 40 championships at Palermo show, along with a whole list of other achievements, it is pretty obvious why he is valued as one of the top cattlemen in South America to this day and it is a great pleasure to hear his story.
Geordie Soutar and his family have made it a passion to preserve the Native lines of Angus cattle that could trace origins back to the original herd books. Looking back at a type of cattle that would finish off grass they soon found their genetics were sought after world-wide. With bulls like Dunlouise Jipsey Earl, the Native Angus is now represented in many countries and Geordie has suitably been rewarded for his work with an OBE.
An episode everyone should listen to, we chat to New Zealand dairy farmer Mark Gascoigne about the mental health struggles he suffered some years ago and how the Farmstrong organization helped him through. Now one of their ambassadors, he reveals how Farmstong started in New Zealand 8 years ago, covering the whole topic of wellbeing in the agricultural community. With the company currently running a series of talks throughout Scotland, we are also joined Farmstrong Scotland’s chairman, John Scott, about what message is spreading and how.
Top Irish Simmental breeder Garrett Behan is an extremely hard man to get past, both at sales and shows. With the Clonagh and Jennalyn herds both churning out top stock that are highly in demand, he talks us through his journey from just one cow to selling the current record priced Simmental bull. Also winner of the coveted Miss World with Clonagh Darling Eyes, Garrett now holds an annual online sale, due shortly.
Another special episode this week hears me host an online webinar to 200 guests, direct from the lambing sheds of two of Scotland's leading sheep breeders, Robert Laird from Cambwell and Finlay MacIntyre from Dunalistair Estate. In conjunction with Harbro we chat through the challenges of lambing, with these two knowledgeable guys offering a whole host of free advice to sheep breeders of all levels..
Yet another first at Toplines and Tales as we go visual for the first time. This weeks podcast charts the history of the iconic Perth Bull Sales in conjunction with a simultaneous YouTube video portraying hundreds of photos of the subjects mentioned. Please visit Youtube and look for Toplines and Tales, episode 114.
Or follow this link. https://youtu.be/W58DZ42mWbQ Please also click the button to subscribe to our channel.
A great fun chat with Cammy Wilson from the phenomenally successful YouTube Channel, The sheep Game. His passion for the industry shines through from the outset as we discuss some personal stuff and move on to what we can all do for farmer’s mental health. The time flies by as a host of subjects of all things sheep come and go as we get an insight into what makes one man evolve into a household word in our industry in such a short space of time.
Just how do you go about deigning and creating a new top-quality breed of sheep to suit the modern world? Our guest Graham Gilmore of the Tattykeel stud in Australia has done just that, breaking just about every record in the book in the process including making 240,000 dollars for one ram. With statements like ‘people are hungry, not cold’ the Tattykeel Australian White not only sheds its wool, thrives in all climates, but produces some of the finest restaurant-quality meat in the world due to the uniquely low melting point of its intra-muscular fat. This episode really is a fascinating insight into the future of the world-wide lamb industry.
We pay homage to a well known character and cattleman I had massive respect for, sadly recently deceased, Peter (Piccolo) Dowlman. Although a humble man, his ability with animals and people made him a great friend and mentor to many over his long lifespan, particularly among Hereford and Angus breeds. His son Paul and I chat about his achievements as well as some of the craic that was had in his presence.
Not just for the Charolais purists, we end the year with probably my most enjoyable interview to date with one of life’s really great characters, (Major) David Walter. Although his family has been at Balthayock for a few hundred years, we hear about his fascinating younger days in the forces and the city, including playing polo with our current King. Although his very first cow got torpedoed by some Italians, David speaks of an early passion for the Charolais breed and buying a bull at auction for a colossal sum at the time! Today the Balthayock herd is not only one of the oldest in UK but, producing 40+ top sale bulls per year, undeniably one of the best.
This week along with a few mates, Scott, Derek and Andrew, all of whom are fellow commentators at the Royal Highland Show, we roll out the Christmas drink and have a laugh, as well as some serious chat. We start by mentioning a few great folks that the industry has lost over the past year. When we get to big Doddie it opens up a discussion about the fact that many great rugby players were and are farmers. A random chat about using crossbred rams leaves us divided although the concept Scott raises of producing a Wagyu type lamb does have its merits. We then dissect some farm diversification schemes until that chat morphs into other hilarity, and much editing! .
My guest PJ Budler has judged a staggering 81 breeds of cattle in 43 different countries! Based in Texas and now working as a consultant for an embryo company, we start by discussing the merits of cloning. His time working in Scotland gave him an understanding that breeds need to be adapted to their surroundings to produce effective genetics. We move on the ‘Champion of The World’ beef competition which he started nearly a decade and now involves animals from 93 countries. Then we get into a quite controversial area of EPDs versus visual assessment in this highly enjoyable interview with one of the worlds most knowledgeable cattlemen.
This week we cross to Southern Ireland to speak with Angus breeder Eustace Burke. From humble beginnings we hear how Eustace and his father built up the highly successful Clonthead herd of Angus including the all-Ireland medium herd competition. We go on to his role as president of the Irish Angus Association and their post-brexit role as a HQ for a number of breeds in Europe as well the function of The Government funded Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) database which aims to record data ‘from conception to fork’ through genomic evaluation!
While we are in the closing stages of the fatstock show season we chat to freelance stockman, breeder and top judge, Neil Lloyd and his wife Sally. We hear about his early days being educated into the livestock showing business through pigs, his successes with all breeds of cattle and that infamous wedding in the main ring at Smithfield Show in London. A couple always striving for perfection, the conversation includes the variation of fatstock cattle across the regions and the family's progress with Welsh Black cattle and Blue Texel sheep.
This week’s character, David Walker from Galcantray, needs no introduction. From bringing out top Suffolk sheep and Angus cattle, the big man is always amongst the craic when it comes to showtime. We chat through his successes and then move on to his more recent passion, Clydesdale horses, where Galcantray are now really making their mark.
This week I set up camp on HARBRO's tradestand at Agriscot in Edinburgh, the UK’s largest farming trade show, and chatted to a number of invited guests including Mairi Gougeon, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, Sarah Miller, CEO of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), some of the prestigious finalists of Scotland’s farming awards as well as other high profile forward thinking farmers at the cutting edge of the UK livestock industry.
This week take a closer look at the highly interesting commercial side of the British Livestock world by profiling the shortlist contenders for the Agriscot Beef Farmer of the Year Awards. Firstly we take a look at James Young’s large scale beef operation in Ayrshire, then Harry Brown’s diversification scheme in Aberdeenshire and finally Ian Richardson’s suckled calf outfit in the Borders.
After only a few weeks since his death, I hope the family of Roley Fraser won’t mind me sharing what I hold as one of my dearest possessions, an edited interview with him in 2013. One of the World's top auctioneers, Roley was such a wise man with phases such as ‘After the 1st war, if you had pretentions of being landed gentry you had a herd of shorthorns, but after the 2nd war you had a herd of Angus,’ and ‘by the late 80s the Angus got very peculiar, they looked very big sideways on but you could hardly see them when they walked away from you!’
I will admit that much of my own knowledge of the Angus breed came from this very conversation, and am privileged to have it on record.
Such an entertaining character, Bernard Lewellyn is a great horseman, ex jockey, and cousin of a Grand National winner, a sheep-shearer, TV presenter, committee man and we hear about inheriting and running a huge castle as a tourist attraction, with the addition of a few rare breed stock. From there a love of the Longhorn cattle took Bernard to the very top of that breed and we hear of its successes before going on to talk about his involvement in the European government with this extremely wise Welshman.
Yes, I struggle to believe it as well, but we have published 100 episodes of Toplines and Tales in less than 2 years. This week I have hand-picked over a dozen of my favourite snippets from all of the pieces, including the ones you all found most popular, such as Allanfauld, Rawburn, Chicago exhibition, Captain deQuincey and many more, in this bumper 100th broadcast.
As characters go, Montie Soules has had a highly interesting career before taking over the helm of the American Shorthorn Association which this year celebrates its 150 years. Along with Dr Bob, who has written a great book on the subject, we take a look at the success of the modern breed on both sides of the Atlantic before the celebrations are wrapped up at Louisville livestock show shortly. With wise words like ‘ we’ve done everything in this country to try and ruin the Shorthorn cow, but I’m telling ya, it can’t be done!’ Montie certainly makes for an entertaining listen.
This week we welcome another ‘character’ to the podcast, Andrew ‘Honky’ Hornall. A highly successful Charolais cattle breeder with a long association with the breed, we hear about his Interbreed success at the Highland Show with Faye and other animals. Also through his connections to the show we discuss its modern format and challenges before chatting through his family business and an upbeat look at the future of agriculture in a casual chat which such a great character and entrepreneur.
This week we have another first on the podcast as we go to Norway to speak with the very interesting Erlend Røhnebæk about his beef operation and the beef industry in general in that country. With short winters and -25 temperatures there is very little self produced protein hence they look very much to maximise feed efficiency by a number of means. I am also joined on the call by Harbro Nutritionist, Jill Hunter who has recently visited the set-up.
From early influences of JE Kerr, Willie McLaren set on a course with Angus cattle that never faltered. From big to small and back full circle, Willie was a man of vision, always with one eye on the future. Never far from the top through half a century, records like winning 71 championships out of 114 shows endorse the quality of Angus cattle bred at Netherton. This week we discuss his life with Willie Jnr, with a few snippets of original recordings from a few years ago.
Something different and another first this week as we change species, to talk about the Clydesdale horse with well known and respected character, George Skinner from Strathorn. With wise snippets like ‘The hind leg is the engine of the horse’ we hear first hand at some of the trials and successes of this great beast that was once the backbone of the farming industry across the world.
I don’t think I have ever been to a show that my guest this week, Paul Walker, wasn’t exhibiting cattle at. One of the UK’s busiest freelance stockmen, we chat about his passion for showing, including his own herds of Blues and Herefords.
John Campbell, originally from Thrunton in Northumberland chats to be about the early years and phenomenal success of the top Charolais cattle herd and the sheer numbers that were involved. We then go into his passion for Suffolk sheep and breeding commercial tups for Kelso sales. No stranger to the championships rosettes at Smithfield, John and I move on to the running of the show itself and the trials that imposed. We also discuss his new venture into direct sales and even a new cattle breed at Roseburgh.
Known by many as one of the greatest stockmen of his generation, Hugh Dunlop, from Ayrshire shares his stories with me on this week’s podcast. From learning from the master, Ian Anderson, to setting the benchmark breeding and winning with one of the best beasts of all time, Dancing Queen, Hugh is as always very modest about his success record.
This week we speak with Libby Clarke, a real character from Northern Ireland! We hear about her father Tom, and the beginnings of the legendary Automart in Portadown, as well as some early Charolais cattle. Libby inherited his passion for Balmoral show, an event she has a long time association with. With organising show, sales, and judging, charity work, as well as running an estate agency she must qualify as one of agriculture’s busiest ladies, and such a pleasure to speak to.
As well as one of the UK's leading Charolais cattle breeders Raymond's venture into the Valais Blacknose sheep breed has been a phenomenal success, and not only securing him a wife! We hear his incredible story as well as about his stint on BBC TV's excellent programme, This Farming Life.
More live broadcast from GYS including a chat with a main steward, as well as catching up with a few old mates.
A real technical challenge today, but we have somehow managed to record a live broadcast from th0e GYS, mainly from the Shorthorn Cattle Rings and their 200 year convention. Thanks to all who contributed.
A short podcast with a difference this week as we reminisce about the Cattle Droves between Scotland and England in the 17th Century.
My thanks to Graham Bell for allowing me to use 'The Eskdale Drover'. Also credit to Dr Bob Hough for some of his research on this episode.
Every day is school day and this week’s guest, Lee Leachman, who produces 2,500 bulls per year really is someone to learn from. As a grandson of the great Lee Leachman, who along with his brother dominated the Angus world in for 3 decades, Lee’s business has moved on powered by genetic evaluation that derived the composite Stabilizer animal that Leachman Cattle company own the trademark to, now being used all over the world. A must listen for the serious cattle breeder particular to understand how composite breeding works and is shaping the future.
‘If you treat your cows as a religion, you’re doing it wrong!’ says Chip Kemp, our highly experienced and entertaining ‘character in livestock’ this week. In his role with the Simmental Association in US, Chip has a massive insight into the beef industry and how it is rapidly evolving across the world, not just the business but the function of the breed association itself. Their IGS database globally evaluates 20 million cattle across all breeds, making it the biggest and most accurate tool in the industry. We move on to discuss hybrid and composite breeding, in what I think is one of the most eye-opening episodes to date, and possibly a glimpse into the future.
In an unusual episode this week we speak to Gavin Frankin about his farming set-up in France. Originating from Zimbabwe he speaks of his times there and the horrific story of how they were made to leave their farms at gun point. Gavin has now carved out a family lifestyle business farming sheep and we discuss the comparisons with UK before moving on to his butchery business.
This week we honour our regular contributor , Dr Bob Hough who has just won a highly prestigious award. From his early days in FFA through to learning judging skills from the great Herman Purdy and the importance of giving reasons. Bob went on to be a judging team coach before he eventually would up as CEO of the Red Angus Association, taking it to the fourth biggest breed in US. Finally we chat about his passion for history and his work as an author.
This week a real character, Jimmy Warnock, tells us about his involvement with the original imports of Texel sheep into UK and the early rules that were brought in to control it. As well as his own successes including the great show ewe Lady Madonna, Jimmy explains the justification of the extreme high prices of some sheep today. We move on to cover his exploits judging sheep abroad. With another hat on, Jimmy has done wonderful work educating children and non-farming folk in the ways of agriculture which has in turn won him the award of an MBE.
Julie is one of life's great organisers and she tells us this week how she balances the many rolls she fulfils within the industry with a busy farm at home. Always around at the shows her smiling face and hard work has been recognised by many, including the industry itself. We also get to hear about the Beef Expo event at which she is in charge of the live cattle show.
One of the most respected stockmen, breeder and judges in UK, Danny Wyllie tells us of his early days as shepherd for Robert Graham at Airthrey Kerse and the buzz around the Rouge de L'Ouest breed. A move south to work with Charolais cattle evolved into a farm tenancy and dabble with his own Charolais before setting up the Tamhorn herd of Belgian Blues for which he and Jane will be mostly recognised. Now with a herd of Shorthorns, Danny is one of the most qualified interbreed judges in the country.
Well known character and top sheep breeder, Dye Clark, discusses the 3 Texel flocks he and his brothers run, as well as some experimenting with crossbred ewes currently going on. He lists some of the most influential tups in that breed before moving on to his dabble with Blonde cattle and eventually to the Shorthorn herd he has today. Then we get on to another of Dye’s passions, the sheep shearing competitions and some of his younger antics before he got promoted to commentator.
Not just a character in Livestock this week but more of a legend. Alec Ogg was one of the rare breed that progressed from master stockman to master breeder in the Angus cattle world. As well as bringing out bulls for many top herds, he won Perth with his own stock on numerous occasion. However, he will perhaps be mostly remembered for achieving one of the greatest international honours in history, one that doubtfully will ever be repeated, by bringing out the ‘triple crown’ winner on three continents in one year.
A highly enjoyable episode chatting to an old friend Lionel Organ who has excelled in everything he bred. For all he will be known as top sheep breeder this interview also gives a fascinating insight into the world of breeding pigs, where Southam would become one of the top herds of Large Whites in Europe. He tells of the challenges that posed and more importantly the lessons we could learn from carcass development. Then followed the sheep when Lionel again reached the pinnacle of two breeds, Charollais and Lleyn, the former being dispersed 12 years ago, yet still the Southam prefix underpins many top flocks today. We hear about the merits of the Lleyn with which he is still very much involved and is both passionate and proud of where the breed is today.
Jack Dick of Black Watch Farms really was a huge character in livestock.
From his young days working on a farm to bankrolling himself through college and making and losing millions on the stock market, as a bankrupt man, Jack set about buying Angus cattle by the thousand, including the record priced bull in Perth. During the first half of the 1960s, selling cattle to rich investors, he masterminded one of the biggest ponzie schemes in history.
This week we chat to well known Orcadian, Liam Muir. From buying upwards of 50 bulls per year to farming and breeding show calves, Liam is a busy and well recognised face across the UK. He discusses the quality of cattle on the Orkney Islands, as well as the challenges that farming that far North can sometimes face, as well as their week of shows in the summer and his very busy schedule as a championship judge.
This week my guest, Gordon Philip from Kansas, is a rare breed who learned his trade in the UK cattle business before plying it in USA. Growing up in Aberdeenshire working with great cattlemen like Alec Ogg and Gordon Blackstock, he brought out a string of prize winners at Perth before heading to America in the later 50s, to set up a new Shorthorn operation for a man who farmed thousands of mink! Moving on to winning seven champions at Chicago, many with offspring of a bull bred at Newhouse by Bob Adam, to drinking with John Wayne and cattle judges on horseback, Gordon, along my with good friend Dr Bob, regales us with tails of success, fun and wisdom.
The UK has one of the strongest auction market presences in the world, which is underpinned by those characters who sell stock from the rostrum. This week, with my two guests, both top auctioneers, Raymond Kennedy and James Little, we pinpoint a few of the great characters that have sold pedigree stock through the ages, as well as hearing about the modern livestock trade in UK.
This week Willie Thompson from Turriff, not only one of the country’s leading nutritionists but a great all round character shares his knowledge and a few cracking stories during his work at the heart of the livestock industry, including ‘win a date with Linda;’ a Charolais heifer from Sandy Innes at Moyness!’ From discovering a carbon reducing product to visiting top breeders around the globe and realising the UK still has a lot to learn, these are some fascinating stories and even a glimpse of the future from a highly interesting man.
Evolving from Robert Bakewell's early efforts, The Blue Faced Leicester sheep is quite unique in that it stamps hybrid vigour on all its progeny. My guests this week are top breeders James Herdman and Derek Hall when we discuss the breed and the marvel of the Mule, possibly the backbone of the sheep business in UK.
One of the most populous sheep in UK, the Blackie has a long history among the Scottish hills. Mathew Hamilton's Woolfords flock have been at the top of the breed for nearly 150 years, and he talks us through the merits and diversity of the Scottish Blackface.
Quite a bumper podcast this week as we cover the Cheviot sheep, a breed which comes in a number of different formats. Firstly my guest Tom Tennant takes us through the origins of the Cheviot and then the South Country Cheviot of which he is currently president. Then we hear from Rod McKenzie who has an unrivalled knowledge of the North Country Cheviot, as we hear about the different variants of the breed, and people and animals who got to where it is now.
A great history lesson in this week's episode where we look at the indigenous cattle breed from Wales, the Welsh Black. With a history dating back to the Bronze Age to winning the Burke Trophy at the Millennium, and supplying a branded product to a nation, our guest Alwyn Jones give a superb account of these wonderful cattle.
With origins going back nearly 3000 years, the dark Red Devon breed of cattle offers a rich history from draft animal, excellent low input cow through to high quality marbled beef. My guest Becky Hurd talks us through the tremendous merits of the breed as well as its journey through time to a breed now on the up.
This week I am actually being interviewed on someone else's show.
Click the link below to tune into Cannon Brown putting me under the microscope, when we discuss my early years in livestock as well as careers in software, writing, and generally blagging my way through life!! https://theshowpod.podbean.com/e/andy-frazier/
This week we discuss one of the UK's newest breeds of native livestock, the Luing, with breeder and breed society chairman, Neil McGowan. A fascinating story how the three Cadzow brothers bought an island on the west of Scotland and then developed a breed of cattle that would suit their own requirements as well as the conditions, creating this highly successful modern hill cow.
This week we chat with top Longhorn breeder, Peter Close, as well as prominent auctioneer and Longhorn enthusiast, Clive Roads from McCartneys. With a breed that has been around for hundreds of years, it is not surprising it has had a roller-coaster ride, and we hear of its ups and downs, since Bakewell’s time in the early 1800s, to the modern suckler cow breeder of today.
For a relatively little known breed these days, the Southdown holds a massive place marker in history, not just as a terminal sire, but as the father of dozens of other breeds, worldwide, including the Suffolk, Dorset and Hampshire, in fact most sheep with the word ‘Down’ in their title. It has also evolved many French breeds, such as the Charollais and Berichon. My guest Jonathan Long is the current breed society chairman, and shares the history of this great breed with us.
My guest Clive Davies and I discuss the merits of Robert Bakewell, possibly one of the most influential livestock breeders in history, not just for what he bred but for his pioneering ways and the legacy he left from his experimental methods. As well as creating the Leicester sheep and the Shire horse, he will be most remembered for developing the Longhorn breed of cattle.
This week in another special episode, my pals and I single out a handful of influential absent friends that have passed during the year 2021, each one of them a legend in the livestock industry, and raise a dram to them. Namely, Donald Biggar, Harry Sleigh, Alistair Houston, David Dick and Jack Ramsay.
Happy New Year from Toplines and Tales
Welcome to our Christmas party where my guests, Rob, Scotty and Fletch add a bit of festive cheer. After some of my poor attempts at stand-up comedy, we get into a quite serious discussion about the meat on our supermarket shelves, and the ethical ways of the retailer. Thankfully this digresses into some more chivalrous stories of shenanigans at the Royal show, including big Shanksy and an ostrich as well as Fletch’s covid turkey! Eventually we get around to listing the top ten breed CEO’s with some hilarity, as the party drink flows.
*warning, contains strong language **
This week Suffolk Society chairman Mike Weaver and myself discuss the history of the Suffolk sheep breed. From its initial cross-bred form in the mid 18th century, through to the larger heavy boned sheep of the 1980s, the breed climbed to the top of the sheep through a steady evolution. We discuss those breeders that took the sheep to an extreme, and some of the animals that contributed to that as well as more recent times.
Our guests this week are breeder Rosemary Hunter and the historian and aficionado Angus Mackay. With their incredibly in depth knowledge of history we learn of the early origins of the Highland breed across Scotland. Namedropping the Dukes of Argyll and Athol as well as numerous Earls we learn of the role that the aristocracy had to play in the development of pedigree stock in the north, making this one of the most fascinating historical podcasts to date. We highlight a few specific sires from the 1920s that shaped the breed, to the changes in fashion and through to the massive export drives around the globe. Then latterly the marketing of succulent beef from this ancient breed.
Happy Birthday to us!
In a special one year anniversary episode this week we hear highlights of the 1st 6 episodes of Toplines and Tales, re-edited together, listening to some great stories about the Royal Smithfield Show in London from a dozen different exhibitors.
I am joined by Galloway breeder Peter Hunter Blair as we discuss the origins of the breed and how the polled black cattle evolved in south west Scotland over a few centuries, particularly on their carcass merits. Once again the Biggar’s from Castle Douglas feature in the breeds development and we hear about the huge export trade around the world, and then the reciprocal imports when new blood was needed, as well as the gold rush days when the German’s came shopping in the late 80s. As always, we also look at some influential herds and animals that have shaped the breed to what is today.
In part 2 of this breed, Marion, Nigel and myself cover from the halcyon days of famous Aberdeen Angus bulls, breeders, and prices before we move on to the not so glory days of the breed, and take a close look at those breeders who not only stuck in there but set on a mission to reshape the breed to the position it once held.
Along with two great guests, this week we have a fantastic look at the history of the Aberdeen Angus breed, from its humble (Humbie) beginnings in the northern hills to a selection of a few men who took it on themselves to make this a breed to be reckoned with across the world. We look at a few families that shaped the breed and move on through some great breeders up to the 50s & 60s and the beckoning of that boat to South America.
Again joined by Carey and John, we talk about the 50s when the Shorthorn started to lose ground as they followed a fashion, ignoring the warning messages from some. Then the slightly controversial subject of bringing in blood from overseas and other breeds to right the change direction. More recent bulls such as Balmyle Crackle that flew a flag for the changing breed, and helped bring in new blood and the herds at the top today.
I am joined by two top Shorthorn breeders this week, Carey Coombes and John Scott, in a highly entertaining history lesson we learn of the 3 founders of the breed and the rivalry between them. We touch on the polled gene in the breed before discussing some of the early herds that shaped the beef shorthorn through the turn of the 20th century including some of the great exporters. The original ‘Coates’ herdbook is discussed and, as often is, there are conversations about different types within the breed from these two knowledgeable breeders. We also have a quick chat with regular American cattle historian, Dr Bob Hough.
Clive Davies and I are joined this week by well known cattleman, and successful Hereford breeder, Boomer Birch.
Again Clive offers his unrivalled knowledge of the breed, from 1920s onwards, singling out bulls such as the legendary bull Anxiety 4th and his son Prince Domino who still underpin Hereford genetics around the world until this day. We move on to the Polled breed and its dominance in the modern cattle world.
Excited to open our new series looking at the history of Native breeds in the UK. We kick-off discussing the Hereford cattle with breed historian, Clive Davies. A look back to the humble beginnings nearly 300 years ago, and some of the great men and animals that shaped the breed. Clive singles out a few bulls that made their mark in this highly interesting episode, and we hear briefly from another cattle historian, Dr Bob Hough, on the impact the early exports made in USA
This week's guest is well known sheep and cattle breeder, William McAllister from Balymena in Northern Ireland.
William talks through his top flocks of Charollais and Beltex, as well as his mainstay of producing 150 commercial rams per year. We also chat about his venture into Dutch Spotted Texels as well as his top herd of Shorthorn cattle and their future in Ireland’s marketplace.
This week Kayley Kennedy hands the microphone to one of the sharpest young men in Northern Ireland, Gareth Small.
With his father starting at the very bottom and the awe of Smithfield in the early days, through an obsession to get to the top, Gareth charts his progress, with detail and passion, through the primestock showing circuit and a long list of the great characters who have helped him get to the very top of the game, in commercial cattle, as well as a small herd of Limousins.
Farmer, Soldier, Manager, Orator and Author, Captain J Ben Coutts certainly was one of a kind. This week we look at the life of the great man and, from the archives, chat about his achievements with his wife, Sally.
From unfortunate circumstances in the Atlantic, breeding a Smithfield champion, taming the Aberdeen Angus hierarchy and using whisky as currency in Brazil, Ben's story is one that shows pure class of a man who grasped life by the ears.
This week I have a great yarn with friend Scott Brown from East Lothian. We discuss his experience a livestock commentator and reflect on this year’s highland showcase. Scott talks about the Capielaw Suffolk flock he shares with his brother Gavin, and the difference between the commercial and pedigree aspects with an interesting analysis on modern scanning traits, and performance vs fertility. We move on to hearing about Scott’s brainchild, a film called ‘We all need a farmer’ and how it is gathering traction promoting men’s health. Followed by an inevitable chat about the subject of rugby.
Written in 1925, The Autobiography of an Unfortunate Bull tells the classic story of a shorthorn calf, born in Scotland and destined for the great Perth bulls sales. Written in the Doric speak of the North East, this story will make you smile, laugh and possibly weep.
Only a handful of the original books are still in existence, so I have narrated it onto a podcast so it can be kept and enjoyed for eternity.
Starting out in the 50s, Tom Burke's passion for Angus cattle is legendary. In 1972 he took over the Angus Hall of Fame sale management company, which he still runs, from where he has officiated over 10,000 cattle sales, all over the globe. We chat about hair growth, and the different cattle from different areas he still regularly visits, as well as his flock of Suffolk sheep and the Hall of Fame museum.
This week with chat to top Irish Limousin cattle breeder William Smith from Co Meath. Starting out with Hereford and Simmental, William chats about the beginnings of the Millbrook Limousins through to his numerous victories at Balmoral and other shows, as well as the near legendary cow Millbrook Gingerspice and the legacy she is leaving. He goes on to discuss the use of modern genoyping and its future roll in the industry.
With his family originally breeding Hereford cattle in Herefordshire, England, Harvey Weyman-Jones, along with his Mum, recalls some of the characters we all knew and loved in those early days, including Bob Powel and others.
Following his brother to Australia in 1990, Harvey worked as an auctioneer and stud stock manager. Now involved with one of the largest sale management companies in Oz, he chats through moves towards online sales, breaking breed records, types of cattle suited to their climate and the hybrids that have stemmed from that, including the rapidly growing Wagyu business.
This week we listen to an interview recorded with legendary Angus cattle breeder, Willie Robertson in 2013. We hear about the early days of Perth bull sales and travelling to Argentina by boat with 30 bulls. Willie speaks of his first trip to Canada and how he ended up importing over 40 Angus in a bid to get the breed in UK back on its feet.
Not frightened to say it how it is, he talks of show cattle vs breeding cattle, the marbling qualities of Angus x Holstein beef and a prophecy that super markets would take it on, and the famed bull Netherallan Peter Pershore.
Willie sadly passed away in October 2020.
Kayley speaks to one of the UK's top young stock women, Steph Dick.
As a highly talented cattle dresser, Steph has worked with the family's Ronnick Limousin herd, as well as starting her own herds of Limousin and Angus. We hear about her awards for stock judging, as well as a new and already fruitful venture into pedigree sheep.
Delighted and honoured to have Neil Massie as a guest this week.
In the world of cattle the name of Blelack needs no introduction. In over 40 years in the Angus breed Neil, along with a few other select names, worked tirelessly to bring the cattle back from near extinction to what we have as a breed in UK today. We hear about some bulls that shaped the Blelack herd as well as taking through the successes with Charolais cattle, his dabble in sheep and, more latterly the shorthorn breed through his son Graeme.
This week Kayley Kennedy speaks to well known stockman Ali Jackson.
Not just bringing out cattle for one of the top British Blue breeders in UK, he is an experienced shepherd successfully running a number of breeds. As with our podcast last week, Ali is another Scot who has scooped the interbreed group of threes at the Royal Welsh show, along with hauls of silverware from the Highland and a recent run at the Yorkshire. Now one of the top breeders of Spotted Dutch Texels, we hear about the merits of that breed which is rapidly gaining traction in UK.
This week we chat sheep to Gregor Ingram from Logie Durno in Aberdeenshire, one of Europe's largest pedigree ram breeders.
As well as breeding Charollais sheep for over 4 decades, the Ingram family have expanded their business which now runs 4,500 ewes and sells upwards of 800 rams per year. With nine different pure breeds including a couple of unique hybrid composites, Gregor talks us through the trials and tribulations of running an outfit this size, and how most of their rams are sold privately and how their stock majors on carcass traits.
Kayley Kennedy chats with top young sheep breeder Jack Buckle from Cumbria who, along with his family have recently made their mark in a number of breeds. As well as selling Swaledales to 13,000, he has regularly made headlines in the Beltex breed, topping out at £30,000. His recent success with Blue Faced Leicester's outlines what a smart shepherd this young man is.
As well as scooping up Northern Sheep Farmer of the Year award, the flock will once again be laying down markers at next week's Great Yorkshire Show.
In our new series speaking to the younger generation, I would like to introduce guest host, Kayley Kennedy. This week she is speaking to top young cattle showman James Nisbet about how he got into showing, and his passion for the job. He includes a couple of animals he says the best he’s ever seen, as well as the highlights in his showing career to date. He discusses sourcing his show calves and how that perfect beast is getting more and more scarce! For all his successes, James admits he is always learning, and the older great stockmen still keep a few well guarded secrets!
Professor John Robinson started working in animal research at the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen in the late 60s. During his time he worked with the very first embryo transfer, Maedi Visna, feotal growth and nutrition in sheep, as well as lending a hand to the team that cloned Dolly the Sheep.
In this fascinating and amusing podcast we get to hear about his life, in his own words, as well as advice to breeders on the protein and nutrition.
This week we have two of the worlds most famous cattlemen on one show. Dave Nichols, from Nichols Farms, the largest Angus breeder in the Mid West gets interviewed by Glen Klippenstein from GK Farms, one of the worlds leading Hereford breeders, with Dr Bob Hope as the host presenter. This is a must-listen episode where we not only hear about how the greats go about their business, and also a lesson on life in general, but mainly because these two will make you laugh!
This week we take a short look at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh.
After briefly walking through the history of the society and the show, we speak with CEO Alain Laidlaw, about modern developments and the upcoming Royal Highland Showcase.
We chat this week to John Elliot Senior and Junior about one of the most pioneering Angus herds in the UK. From importing the initial foundation cow from Canada to trading genetics across the Atlantic, Rawburn grew on the back of sound recording tactics, to supplying over 125 bulls per year to repeat buyers. We also hear about the latest investments in technology for monitoring feed efficiency, something John believes will be part of the future of breeding stock worldwide.
In Part 2 of this episode we hear about where the beef goes to and get a good insight into how the US beef industry works. With his NCBA hat on, Craig Uden speaks about how the consumer is getting more educated to where their product comes from and we get into world export markets and a host of other interesting subjects, before moving on to talk about his other business, running 2000 breeding cows grazing on the corn stalks left behind after harvest.
This is Part 1 of a fascinating podcast talking to a man who not only runs one of the biggest feedlots in USA, but is also past president of the National Cattleman's Beef Association, as well as running a pretty large cow outfit on the side, Craig Uden from Nebraska.
How do you grow a business to that size? He says 'It's like eating an elephant one bite at a time!'
Craig chats about environmental issues and sustainability. We look at logistics and health issues of cattle movement and touch on the tricky subject of growth promoters before revealing the amount of resource it takes to feed 45,000 animals! We also speak about the diverse staff requirements it requires to run an outfit this size.
This week I am chatting this week to father and son duo, Archie and John McGregor.
We hear about the early days at Allanfauld, establishing the Blackie flock and selling the first five figure tup, through to the 80,000gns sale last year. Then the introduction of the Charolais cattle and the legendary bull Vagabond who has possibly bred more show calves than any other. John gives an in depth précis of their top Limousin herd and also the relatively more recent successes with the Texels. Add in the Luings, Blue Leicesters and a few badger faced sheep, and we get to appreciate of the depth of ability that underpins the Allanfauld prefix.
This episode I am talking to John Scott who runs a quite diverse livestock operation at Fearn in Easter Ross. We chat through his top herd of Shorthorn cattle, as well as the addition of the Luing breed, and a flock of ewes numbering over 3000. We speak about online pedigree sales, which are to the fore at Fearn, as well as the difficulty in getting young staff and attention to wellbeing. John also mentions a runway that he has turned into a feedlot, his Nuffield scholarship and other activities he is involved in.
This episode is sponsored by Harbro Feeds
This week sees a new series on Toplines and Tales looking at a few modern livestock operations. We kick off by chatting to a man with huge vision, James Alexander, from Northern Ireland.
Under the brand of JALEX, we hear how he set out on the show circuit with no experience whatsoever, eventually winning all before him. Then, looking at new avenues he sold the entire suckler herd, and ewe flock, heading down a new avenue in supplying replacement females. From buying an entire sale ring, to holding highly successful online sales, James is a man who has constantly taken risks and set new trends within the industry.
This week we wrap up the continentals series chatting to two seasoned Charollais sheep breeders, Jonathan Aitken and Robert Paterson. As usual, we look at some early flocks and imports, as well rams that shaped the breed and, in many case, the interbreeds.
This week we discuss the origins of the Beltex sheep with Belgian scientist Jurgen Depoyt and Scottish breeder, John Barclay, better known as Beachy. Jurgen explains some of the technical side of double muscling, before we look at some of the early flocks and rams that literally shaped the breed.
I have some personal interest in this episode!
This week we look at the origins of the Simmental breed of cattle in UK with Vice President of the breed society, Norman Robson. Starting with the early imports, we discuss a few of the initial prominent herds, some early influential sires, great show cows and the merits of the breed.
This week on Toplines and Tales we discuss the early origins of the Texel sheep breed with log-standing breeder, Robert Laird from Cambwell. In a bumper episode we find out about the first imports, tups that shaped the breed, early progeny testing as well as a Scottish casinio owner who drove round France buying sheep in his gold Rolls-Royce!
This week on Toplines and Tales we talk about the early imports of Belgian Blue cattle into the UK, discussing their origins with Mister Belgian Blue himself, Tom Ashton and his daughter, Helen. We touch on the difficulties in getting them through quarantine, an eclectic mix of early breeders who took them up in England as well as bulls that stamped the breed.
This week on our podcast we discuss the origins of the Limousin breed and the foresight of one man to bring them into the UK and set up a demonstration herd.
Chatting with well known breeder and judge, Richard Bartle, we list a few early breeders and some of the influential bulls that stamped the breed, such as Broadmeadows Cannon. We also mention some of the great Limousin show cows over the breeds 50 year history, as well as modern day genotyping strategies in UK and France.
Due to some recent events, the part of this podcast discussing the Willoge herd has since been removed.
This week on our podcast we look at another great cattleman, not just in the US but across the world for his work and vision around the type change to larger framed cattle, Dr Harlan Ritchie. Well known to Dr Bob Hough, he tells of Harlan's days at Michigan State University and how he set out on a mission to research cattle the world over to find genetics to improve the beef industry.
Bob and I get stuck into a discussion about EPD (EBV) figures and their misuse, before examining the frame race at its extreme. As Ritchie instigated the slowing down of the frame race, so he turned his attention to composite breeding which again Bob sheds some light on.
This week we discuss another influential breeder from USA Glen Klippenstein from GK Farms. Recognised as one of the most triumphant Hereford cattle herds of the last half century, he also successfully dabbled in other breeds, as well as being a great marketeer, judge and speaker.
This week we head back to USA to a herd that put the backbone in the rise of larger framed cattle in the Angus breed, the Wye Plantation in Maryland, speaking with former Wye farm manager, Bill Hodge as well as cattle historian Dr Bob Hough.
James B Lingle was a never a man interested in fashion or showing, only output and performance. With a purebred herd numbering over 1000 cows, his dedication to measurements and growth traits were the forerunners of the recording schemes we have today. Producing bulls such as Lodge, Linecacker and Fabron and the name of Wye can still currently be found in many pedigrees the world over.
Today we are launching a new series looking at the early imports of breeds from Europe into UK.
This week we discuss the early Charolais cattle imports with top cattlemen, Hector Campbell and Sandy Beaton. As well as looking at the origins of the cattle we hear of the resistance among traditionalists of its inclusion into the British register. We discuss some of the fantastic cows that shaped the breed as well as the show ring, and the turning point that encouraged beef producers to switch to new ideas.
This week we chat with editor of The Scottish Farmer, Ken Fletcher and former livestock photographer, John Fraser about the livestock media.
Topics covered include the origins of the Scottish Farmer, early photographs and great wee shows on the west coast of Scotland. We also discuss some stand-out show animals, the photographers role in the business, someone called The Raider and a rather fun weekend in Germany, before we move on to more recent digital media.
This weeks legendary cattlemen series takes us to the river plains of Herefordshire in middle England to discuss the prowess of possibly the greatest Hereford cattle breeder of all time, Captain de Quincey. I am joined by breeder, enthusiast and historian Clive Davies as we walk through how this great man sourced his original herd and made his mark in history.
And like many other great breeders, it wasn't just Hereford cattle that he stuck with, as we hear about the other breeds and species that would have made a very interesting visit to The Vern.
JE Kerr from Harviestoun is possibly the most accomplished livestock breeder of all time. In this episode we discuss his incredible record for nearly 60 years with Aberdeen Angus cattle, including the source of the great Erica family, with well known cattleman, Duncan McLaren. Kerr's achievements at the Royal Highland show are unequaled and we look at some of the breeds and species that he championed with. We go on to speak with his granddaughter and her husband about the Shetland ponies and Clydesdale horses, as well as the trophies that adorned the walls of Harviestoun castle.
This week we have a special podcast, listening to an interview I did with legendary stockman Bert Rugg in 2015. This may be one for the Aberdeen Angus purists as he chats about his career with great herds such as Harviestoun, Lindertis, Westdrums and Thorn, and then Lowney. Bert mentions famous bulls such as Bosun of Haymount, Election of Thorn, and, of course world record breaker, Lindertis Evulse, in addition to great men like Gerry Rankin at Westdrums and Bob Adam at Newhouse. We touch on foot trimming crates and dressing cattle with scissors to bulls being shipped to Perth by train in this 35 minute tribute to one of Scotland's most able cattlemen who passed away in 2018.
For the second installment of our legendary cattlemen series, I am chatting to master showman Jim Donald in an interview from 2015. In it Jim talks about the fifties Angus bull Keystone of Denira, as well as others, and winning the interbreed at the Royal Highland show. We also hear about him travelling with bulls by boat to the Argentine, an unfortunate trip to Brazil as well as buying one of the first Canadian imported bulls. Then we move on to chatting to a man who knew him pretty well, Dougie McBeath.
This episode we have a bumper installment in our Legendary cattlemen series, talking about one of the world's greatest ever stockmen, Dave Smith. Chatting with two men who knew him well, his sidekick of many years, Norman Taylor and well respected Angus and Charolais breeder, Dave Murray, his pals reveal some hilarious stories about a talented man who enjoyed life. We talk about Smithy's highly successful years with Aberdeen Angus at Westdrums including the bull Evesund of Dupplin and his subsequent career and unrivalled record of 17 breed champions at the Royal Highland show with animals such as Edwina 112th, Early Sunset Coalition and the famed Mushroom Friar Fergus, as well as a few yarns involving some alcohol!
In this week's episode we continue our legendary cattlemen series discussing Bob Adam from Newhouse with today's Newhouse family, Bob and Kay Adam and their 2 sons. We go through Bob's career with Angus where he started with just three families and broke just about every record in the breed, becoming one of the greatest Angus breeders ever known! We touch on line-breeding and sourcing bulls, as well as an interesting proposal on a grading-up register. We also mention the shorthorn herd as well as numerous sheep flocks, all of which reached the top.
We then move on to the introduction of Charolais, with Drew at the helm, and on to Limousin at Newhouse, which also includes a discussion about Alan Fotheringham from Westhall, and his generosity in providing some seed stock.
Finally we move on to the black Limousin, the current cheviot flock, and then the introduction of Angus once again at Newhouse, through the fourth generation of Andrew and James.
Continuing with our Legendary Cattlemen series we are again joined by Dr Bob Hough as we discuss two great American cattle breeders and exhibitors, Professor Herman Purdy and the Leachman Brothers, both of whom left an indelible mark in cattle history, in this extended episode. There is also mention of other great men such as Dr Bob Long and Dr Don Good, both renowned judges. We discuss at some length the education system and how many of these great men majored purely on cattle breeding. Some time is spent learning through the transition from 'Belt buckle' cattle to the larger framed types, a period which Bob refers to as the 'Frame Race'.
Later, Dr Bob talks about his days with Red Angus cattle and their genetic development during his time as the CEO. And finally we touch on the history of Shorthorn cattle in US on which he is writing a new book.
In this episode we go over the water to USA where I am joined by special guest, cattle historian and author, Dr Bob Hough. We start off discussing the incredible Chicago Union Stockyards which by the 1890s were shipping and processing upwards of 9 million cattle per year! We then go on to chat about the Chicago International Livestock Exhibition, possibly the greatest show on Earth?
The final installment of The Smithfield Tapes we spend half an hour discussing the sheep lines at Smithfield with well respected sheep breeders Malcolm Stewart and Robert Patterson. This episode includes the science of breeding show lambs, dressing them in the bar and a rather hilarious tale involving a judge and a wheelbarrow!
In Episode 5 we get a Smithfield double bill. Initially, Keith Jempson discusses his experience of over 30 years at London, including Sussex tea and being treated by the vet! To compliment this we then get to chat to Colin Soutar and Gillian Owen, about the original Charolais, the modern Hereford cattle and advice to the younger generation.
A very enjoyable 25 minutes with one of the greatest stockmen of his generation, Sandy Beaton. In this episode he discusses over 50 successful years at Royal Smithfield, including a great beast from the early 1950s, Galloway and Charolais cattle, as well as a tale about a bicycle!
Episode 3 of the Smithfield Tapes hears me chatting with another great stockman, and one of the most successful cattle exhibitors at the show in its later years, Donald McPherson. Continuing the theme of the show in London he walks us through his illustrious highlights, including parties, sourcing his cattle and, of course, the Bandit.
The second episode of Toplines and Tales which will also contribute to THE SMITHFIELD TAPES.
This time talking to top primestock duo Phil and Sharon Sellers together with renowned cattle breeder, judge and showman, Richard (Bart) Bartle about getting lost, getting drunk and other general frivolities. Oh and a few cattle too...!
Episode one, our first recording, chatting with top Scottish cattlemen, Hector Campbell, Dougie McBeath and Ian Anderson about the Royal Smithfield Show.
This episode will form part 1 of THE SMITHFIELD TAPES
Welcome to TOP LINES AND TOP TALES, the introduction to a brand new podcast coming online soon. for those who don't know me, my name is Andy Frazier.
Over the coming months I intend to catch up with some well known characters within the livestock industry and have a chew the fat over tales from our past. The intention is that interviews will be unstructured, only lightly edited and most of all fun. Interspersed with these I also have a number of previously recorded interviews with stockmen who are sadly no longer with us.