Toplines and Tales

17 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN Part 8 - Wye Plantation

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. 
 

16 - The Continentals - the Charolais cattle breed

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.

15 - The Livestock Media

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.

14 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN Part 7 - Captain de Quincey

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. 

13 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN Part 6 - Harviestoun

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. 

12 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN Part 1 - Bert Rugg

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.

11 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN Part 2 - The Master

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.

10 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN Part 3 - Smithy

 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! 

9 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN Part 5 - Newhouse

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.

8 - LEGENDARY CATTLEMEN Part 4 - The Americans

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.