Toplines and Tales

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.