Toplines and Tales

One of the world’s most prolific cattle judges, PJ Budler talks through the finer points of choosing bulls to buy, casting his wisdom over a number of sometimes controversial points. With snippets like ‘the width of the muzzle is exactly the same as the width between the pin-bones’ this is a must listen to anyone with an interest in breeding livestock.

In nearly 200 episodes of Toplines and Tales, this has to be one of the most fascinating, driving home the realization that, no matter how experienced we are, we are all still learning!

My absolute privilege this week to speak to Bill Bruce, not only one of the top farmers in Scotland but a highly successful cattle breeder whose name is synonymous with firstly Shorthorns and latterly Charolais. Bill speaks of his early ventures into Suffolk sheep, where he excelled, then a dabble with Angus before settling on the Shorthorn breed which at the time was desperately in need of performance improvement. His later move into Charolais cattle was also fruitful where he soon broke the record at 33,000. He also touches on Bruce Farms arable business, which is one of the largest in Scotland.

Well known couple, Andy and  Steph Ryder now run a major business in the pedigree livestock sector in UK. This week they open up on their journey of how they got there, their home farming life and just what Pedigree Livestock Services provides to the industry.  

An interesting and informative chat with Steve McLean, head of agriculture for high-end supermarket chain, Marks and Spencers. Steve chats about his previous job as CEO of the Texel sheep society, as well as the work and ethos around M&S procurement and marketing, and their involvement with backing the UK farming community.

Limousin cattle breeder Daf Griffiths sold his family farm in West Wales and upped sticks to move to a farm nearly four times the size in Central France. He talks to us of the great weather, in mid-January, when we are enduring a massive storm, when his cows and calves are already turned out! We discuss the differences, not just in his enviable lifestyle but the type of cattle and the way the French Government looks after their farmers who provide their food.

A unique podcast, coming to you live from Denver, Colorado, USA. This episode I chat on a combined live podcast with Heath and Brock from Angus One Promotions, about what they do, including an insight into the Bonsmara theory, Heath’s visit to Wye Plantation and the relevance of pedigrees. We also go through the highlights of the National Western stock Show, as well as the tables turned as they interview me!

Great to chat to Angus breeder Colin Davidson from Skaill on the Orkney Islands. Not many people can state that they have been instrumental in changing a breed once, but this week’s guest is well into his second go. We chat through the 50-year history of the herd and the pioneering spirit that Colin has invested in it in this thought provoking interview, which also includes some interesting views on the future of methane reduction.

With such a busy year almost past, this week I reminisce about the year that was with a Christmas message to all our listeners. 

One of Ireland's hottest talents in the cattle show ring, Cathal talks about his influences and experience not just at the halter but also behind the scenes. Hailing from near Limerick, his skills have been in demand not just in Ireland but around UK and also Europe. 

An interesting chat with Andrew Bishop from Gloucestershire who would have been the top man to beat in the carcass lamb competitions throughout UK for two or three decades. Although winding his workload down now, there are some great snippets of wisdom for everyone in this podcast.

And a bit of live racing from son Charlie in the background!