Toplines and Tales

146 - Characters in Livestock - Phil stocker - NSA

Phil Stocker has been CEO for the National Sheep Association for 12 years and he gives us an insight into what the NSA provide for the UK sheep industry. We discuss animal welfare, general sheep statistics and the prospect of the live export trade re-opening for breeding animals, among a host of other interesting sheep facts including carbon responsibility and what NSA are doing to encourage youngsters into the industry.

145 - Media Special - Noel Clancy - Out the Gap

An entertaining episode when I chat with fellow podcaster, Noel Clancy, based in southern Ireland who runs the highly successful ‘Out the Gap’ podcast. His monthly podcast speaks to folks in live rural locations and he compares the difference and tribulations with live recording versus studio. We also kick some conversation about the price of food, some ribbing about the rugby and few other interesting subjects.

144 - Media Special - Gareth Wyn Jones

Hill farmer and social influencer Gareth talks candidly through how we must work harder to try and resolve the disconnect between agriculture and the general public. Through his high-profile media presence, he also speaks about how we all need to pull together as well, as issues of mental health and protecting the environment.

143 - Media Special - This Farming Life

Film producer Gareth Fielding divulges a fascinating look into what happens behind the scenes filming the popular series This Farming Life which airs on BBC TV shortly. From choosing the farmers, filming from the shadows and the hours of recording that need to be edited into 12 hours of viewing, this really is a fascinating insight into how mainstream media works from the programme’s producer.                                                   

142 - Characters in Livestock - Ali Jackson

This week one of UK’s leading breeders and stockmen, Ali Jackson, speaks to us about his many successes as well as an insight into some of his feeding regimes. We are also joined by Jordan Aitken, local representative from Harbro about how their feed helps customers such as Ali towards producing their stock in such top condition.

141 - Characters in Livestock - Bob McWalter

Another well known face around the cattle lines across Scotland, Bob McWalter shares some of his life and stories with Toplines and Tales from a long, fun-filled and able career in the business. 

140 - Characters in Livestock - Jan Green

My great friend and real 'character' Jan Green has a birthday today, so it was fantastic to catch up with her to talk about the early days in the British Blues, hers and John’s leap of faith move to North Scotland and their successes ever since. Some great craic and reminisces on this one, even with John in the background!                                    

139 - Characters in Livestock - George Harvey

This week a combination podcast, with my character in livestock being the well known George Harvey, and a recording live from the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells in this highly spontaneous if not somewhat challenging episode.

138 - Characters in Livestock - Bruce Mair

Bruce Mair of the Muiresk Suffolk and Texel flocks in Turriff needs little introduction as one of the greatest minds in the sheep world. He speaks of the early days when the flock continued to annually break records, before we discuss the more recent venture into Beltex in this fascinating interview.

137 - Carbon Special - Prof John Glliland

This week we run a special episode which some of you may have seen at the Scottish beef event, when it was my privilege to speak to Professor John Gilliland, a man who really knows his stuff in the beef business and, more importantly, has an incredible foresight into the future of our industry and particularly Carbon measurement and Net Zero. A must listen for every beef farmer, worldwide.