Toplines and Tales

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,...

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 perfor...

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 Fren...

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 in...

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...

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 in...

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 Smith...

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...

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...

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...

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 l...

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 h...

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.