Toplines and Tales

136 - Characters in Livestock - Ken Fletcher

One of the greatest characters in Scottish livestock, Ken Fletcher, long time editor of the Scottish Farmer magazine, shortly due to retire, talks through his times at the paper and the livestock industry in general, bringing along his usual wit and craic.

135 - Characters in Livestock - Albert De Cogan

One of the most successful Angus breeders and showmen in Ireland, I speak to the well known and respected Albert De Cogan about his 60 yeas in showing cattle, and his links with the breed.

134 - Characters in Livestock - Jaclyn Wilson

Not just any rancher, Jaclyn Wilson and her father from Nebraska have just won 2023 National Beef Quality Assurance Cow/Calf Producer of the Year out of over 700,000 beef cow operators in the United States. Running a large herd on the Nebraska Sandhills, an area she likens to ‘the Sahara Desert, only with vegetation,’ stock rate is 1 pair to 15-20 acres! As well as being on the board of the NCBA, Jaclyn has recently launched their own beef label marketing an Environmentally produced product at Flying Diamond Beef Ranch.

133 - Sheep Shearing Special

I speak about sheep shearing with possibly two of the funniest guys in agriculture, Dye Clark and Cammy Wilson, as we preview the Golden Shears world sheep shearing event due in Edinburgh next week. One is chief commentator and the other a competitor, both with a huge depth of knowledge of the sport.  

132 - Characters in Livestock - Albert Howie

Scotland doesn’t have many characters more ‘larger than life’ than my guest this week, Albert Howie from Aberdeenshire. Albert tells of his early days in continental sheep, his business dealings in Eastern Europe, before moving on to the Texel and Limousin flocks for which Knock is better known.

131 - Characters in Livestock - Jeff Aitken

From a family background in pedigree sheep and learning his trade at 2 of the country's top Texel flocks, Jeff Aitken has spent 14 years building up the top flock at Procters Farms. Now with the added responsibility of being Chairman of the Texel sheep Society, we talk through his achievements as well as the planned celebrations for the breeds 50th birthday next year. 

130 - Scottish Beef Event

As a preview to the Scottish Beef Event I speak with Peter Langdale, owner of the 5000 acre Dalswinton Estate near Dumfries where it will be hosted. We discuss beef cattle, the future of the suckler cow and delve into issues such as sustainability, biodiversity and carbon responsibility. I also get a chat with Scott Henderson, chairman of the event, as to what will be on show at this bi-annual must-visit affair. 

129 - Characters in Livestock - Jimmy Wilson

Top stockman and breeder Jimmy Wilson talks of his early days working for Gordon Blackstock which got him started in Suffolk sheep and his Bridgetown flock. Along with a few other select breeders from the Aberdeenshire area, they ruled the roost in the Suffolk sheep world for a good few decades. Jimmy went on to be a top Charolais cattle breeder also, and was chairman and president of both societies. With such depth of knowledge in the livestock world, he offers us all some invaluable advice.  

128 - Characters in Livestock - Slacky the Butcher

I have a great chat with Yorkshire butcher, Slacky, a real character who not only offers fantastic products, but quirky over the counter advice on how to cook and prepare. A brilliant advocate of not only British products but locally sourced meat, it is the way that social media has massively increased his business that makes this a fascinating, informative and entertaining listen.

127 - Characters in Livestock - Mike Alford

My guest this week, Mike Alford is certainly not a man who does things by halves. With 3 pedigree herds, 3 pedigree flocks, all at the top of their game, as well a successful wholesale meat business a butcher’s shop and fattening unit, he and his family certainly live life to the full. With a love of showing, he says: ‘You can’t beat livestock, it’s good for the mind!’