Toplines and Tales

53 - History of Native Breeds - Shorthorn Cattle - Part 2

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.

52 - History of Native Breeds - Shorthorn Cattle - part 1

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.

51 - History of Native Breeds - Hereford Cattle - Part 2

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.  

50 - History of Native Breeds - Hereford Cattle - Part 1

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

48 - Modern Livestock Operations - William Mc Allister

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.

47 - The Young Enthusiasts - Gareth Small

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.

46 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN - Captain Ben Coutts

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. 

45 - General Chat - Scott Brown

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.

44 - The Autobiography of an Unfortunate Bull

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. 

43 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN - Tom Burke

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.