Toplines and Tales

As well as one of the UK's leading Charolais cattle breeders Raymond's venture into the Valais Blacknose sheep breed has been a phenomenal success, and not only securing him a wife! We hear his incredible story as well as about his stint on BBC TV's excellent programme, This Farming Life. 

More live broadcast from GYS including a chat with a main steward, as well as catching up with a few old mates. 

A real technical challenge today, but we have somehow managed to record a live broadcast from th0e GYS, mainly from the Shorthorn Cattle Rings and their 200 year convention. Thanks to all who contributed.  

A short podcast with a difference this week as we reminisce about the Cattle Droves between Scotland and England in the 17th Century.

My thanks to Graham Bell for allowing me to use 'The Eskdale Drover'. Also credit to Dr Bob Hough for some of his research on this episode. 

Every day is school day and this week’s guest, Lee Leachman, who produces 2,500 bulls per year really is someone to learn from. As a grandson of the great Lee Leachman, who along with his brother dominated the Angus world in for 3 decades, Lee’s business has moved on powered by genetic evaluation that derived the composite Stabilizer animal that Leachman Cattle company own the trademark to, now being used all over the world. A must listen for the serious cattle breeder particular to understand how composite breeding works and is shaping the future.

‘If you treat your cows as a religion, you’re doing it wrong!’ says Chip Kemp, our highly experienced and entertaining ‘character in livestock’ this week. In his role with the Simmental Association in US, Chip has a massive insight into the beef industry and how it is rapidly evolving across the world, not just the business but the function of the breed association itself. Their IGS database globally evaluates 20 million cattle across all breeds, making it the biggest and most accurate tool in the industry. We move on to discuss hybrid and composite breeding, in what I think is one of the most eye-opening episodes to date, and possibly a glimpse into the future.

In an unusual episode this week we speak to Gavin Frankin about his farming set-up in France. Originating from Zimbabwe he speaks of his times there and the horrific story of how they were made to leave their farms at gun point. Gavin has now carved out a family lifestyle business farming sheep and we discuss the comparisons with UK before moving on to his butchery business. 

This week we honour our regular contributor , Dr Bob Hough who has just won a highly prestigious award. From his early days in FFA through to learning judging skills from the great Herman Purdy and the importance of giving reasons. Bob went on to be a judging team coach before he eventually would up as CEO of the Red Angus Association, taking it to the fourth biggest breed in US. Finally we chat about his passion for history and his work as an author.

This week a real character, Jimmy Warnock, tells us about his involvement with the original imports of Texel sheep into UK and the early rules that were brought in to control it. As well as his own successes including the great show ewe Lady Madonna, Jimmy explains the justification of the extreme high prices of some sheep today. We move on to cover his exploits judging sheep abroad. With another hat on, Jimmy has done wonderful work educating children and non-farming folk in the ways of agriculture which has in turn won him the award of an MBE.

Julie is one of life's great organisers and she tells us this week how she balances the many rolls she fulfils within the industry with a busy farm at home. Always around at the shows her smiling face and hard work has been recognised by many, including the industry itself. We also get to hear about the Beef Expo event at which she is in charge of the live cattle show.