Toplines and Tales

92 - Characters in Livestock - Hugh Dunlop

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.

91 - Characters in Livestock - Libby Clarke

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.

90 - Characters in Livestock - Raymond Irvine

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. 

89 - Live from Day 4 at Great Yorkshire Show

More live broadcast from GYS including a chat with a main steward, as well as catching up with a few old mates. 

87 - Live from the Great Yorkshire Show

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.  

87 - The Drovers (The Eskdale Drover by Graham Bell)

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. 

86 - Characters in Livestock - Lee Leachman

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.

85 - Characters in Livestock - Chip Kemp

‘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.

84 - Characters in Livestock - Gavin Franklin

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. 

83 - Characters in Livestock - Dr Bob Hough

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.