Toplines and Tales

Welcome to our Christmas party where my guests, Rob, Scotty and Fletch add a bit of festive cheer. After some of my poor attempts at stand-up comedy, we get into a quite serious discussion about the meat on our supermarket shelves, and the ethical ways of the retailer. Thankfully this digresses into some more chivalrous stories of shenanigans at the Royal show, including big Shanksy and an ostrich as well as Fletch’s covid turkey! Eventually we get around to listing the top ten breed CEO’s with some hilarity, as the party drink flows.

********warning, contains strong language ***************

This week Suffolk Society chairman Mike Weaver and myself discuss the history of the Suffolk sheep breed. From its initial cross-bred form in the mid 18th century, through to the larger heavy boned sheep of the 1980s, the breed climbed to the top of the sheep through a steady evolution. We discuss those breeders that took the sheep to an extreme, and some of the animals that contributed to that as well as more recent times.

Our guests this week are breeder Rosemary Hunter and the historian and aficionado Angus Mackay. With their incredibly in depth knowledge of history we learn of the early origins of the Highland breed across Scotland. Namedropping the Dukes of Argyll and Athol as well as numerous Earls we learn of the role that the aristocracy had to play in the development of pedigree stock in the north, making this one of the most fascinating historical podcasts to date. We highlight a few specific sires from the 1920s that shaped the breed, to the changes in fashion and through to the massive export drives around the globe. Then latterly the marketing of succulent beef from this ancient breed.

Happy Birthday to us!

In a special one year anniversary episode this week we hear highlights of the 1st 6 episodes of Toplines and Tales, re-edited together, listening to some great stories about the Royal Smithfield Show in London from a dozen different exhibitors.

I am joined by Galloway breeder Peter Hunter Blair as we discuss the origins of the breed and how the polled black cattle evolved in south west Scotland over a few centuries, particularly on their carcass merits. Once again the Biggar’s from Castle Douglas feature in the breeds development and we hear about the huge export trade around the world, and then the reciprocal imports when new blood was needed, as well as the gold rush days when the German’s came shopping in the late 80s. As always, we also look at some influential herds and animals that have shaped the breed to what is today.

In part 2 of this breed, Marion, Nigel and myself cover from the halcyon days of famous Aberdeen Angus bulls, breeders, and prices before we move on to the not so glory days of the breed, and take a close look at those breeders who not only stuck in there but set on a mission to reshape the breed to the position it once held.

Along with two great guests, this week we have a fantastic look at the history of the Aberdeen Angus breed, from its humble (Humbie) beginnings in the northern hills to a selection of a few men who took it on themselves to make this a breed to be reckoned with across the world. We look at a few families that shaped the breed and move on through some great breeders up to the 50s & 60s and the beckoning of that boat to South America.

Again joined by Carey and John, we talk about the 50s when the Shorthorn started to lose ground as they followed a fashion, ignoring the warning messages from some. Then the slightly controversial subject of bringing in blood from overseas and other breeds to right the change direction.  More recent bulls such as Balmyle Crackle that flew a flag for the changing breed, and helped bring in new blood and the herds at the top today.

I am joined by two top Shorthorn breeders this week, Carey Coombes and John Scott, in a highly entertaining history lesson we learn of the 3 founders of the breed and the rivalry between them. We touch on the polled gene in the breed before discussing some of the early herds that shaped the beef shorthorn through the turn of the 20th century including some of the great exporters. The original ‘Coates’ herdbook is discussed and, as often is, there are conversations about different types within the breed from these two knowledgeable breeders. We also have a quick chat with regular American cattle historian, Dr Bob Hough.

Clive Davies and I are joined this week by well known cattleman, and successful Hereford breeder, Boomer Birch.

Again Clive offers his unrivalled knowledge of the breed, from 1920s onwards, singling out bulls such as the legendary bull Anxiety 4th and his son Prince Domino who still underpin Hereford genetics around the world until this day. We move on to the Polled breed and its dominance in the modern cattle world.