Toplines and Tales

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. 

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.  

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.

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!’

This week we get together with two Irish brothers, John and Leo McEnroe, not only great cattle breeders but with plenty of stories to tell, including driving 16 cattle to Oldcastle show on the road and home again! From their father Bartle's excellent beginnings, now running two separate herds, both men are right at the top of their game in the Angus world.

Donald Biggar was not only a man who had massive respect in the beef cattle industry but part of a dynasty. I speak with his son Duncan about his father, grand-father and great grand-father and the thing they all had in common, not just breeding top animals but a gentle way of overseeing proceedings and finding ways forward.   

Chatting to Aberdonian,  Rich Thompson, a very understated but talented stockman. We hear about him working in New Zealand as a youngster and then his time at Bankhead Angus when they were the top of their game. Rich not only won Smithfield on his first visit but was the first to win it with a Limousin sired beast. Now semi-retired he still keeps his hand in, helping the McKechnie family with Highland cattle. His brother Friar also gets a mention.

A celebration this week as I have a most enjoyable chat with one of livestock's Golden couples, Ian and Madge Anderson as they celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. In his usual chatty way Ian talks us through his early days with Angus, his time at Rushmore and the fun this formidable team have had over the years in a most delightful episode. 

I am honoured this week to speak to one of the UK's greatest livestock auctioneers, former boss of United Auctions, David Leggat, MBE. We hear how David started at Perth Market as an office boy straight from school and conducted his first sale of pedigrees, selling pigs in Ireland! The personable way he has with people has not only taken him to the pinnacle of his profession but made him one of the most likeable men in the pedigree industry. 

Veteran stockman Dennis Gall shares his exploits with the Galloway breed among others in a highly interesting chat. Among his successes we hear about his bull nearly getting beaten in the show ring by a rabbit and, in his delightfully modest way, how he has helped and nurtured a lot of the younger generation of stockmen.