Toplines and Tales

57 - Royal Smithfield show - Highlights

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.

56 - History of Native Breeds - Galloway cattle

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.

55 - History of Native breeds - Aberdeen Angus - Part 2

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.

54 - History of Native Breeds - Aberdeen Angus - Part 1

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.

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.