This week we are piloting something new, which may or may not go on to be called The Bottom Line podcast. Just two mates, both anonymous, chewing the fat, unshackled! Shackles probably are required though, instead of alcohol!Aside from the general bullsh*t, we dissect this year’s Kelso tup sale. My sidekick coming out with statements such as ‘females are your future, males are your cashflow’ to ‘sheep looks like a fag paper with a head stuck on it,’ it certainly is not a listen for the faint hearted.

In this episode I chat to forward-thinking Will Laurie about his move to Yorkshire and his dedication in taking the Ryeland sheep breed to new levels of commercial sheep production.

To wrap up this 3 episode series, we look at the commercial aspects of the modern Ryeland sheep and identify where it sits within todays sheep industry. I speak to top commercial sheep breeder Bobby Morgan about his large Ryeland flock as well as Philippa Gray about her journey into the breed and how Ryeland meat takes pride of place in their farm-shop and butchery.

In this, episode 2, of the Ryeland sheep podcast, we discuss the finer points of wool with one of the country's leading experts who also happens to be a long standing Ryeland breeder, Stephen Hipps. This certainly is highly educational for anyone with an interest in sheep. I also speak to Susan Bryden from Dumfries about how the Ryeland breed has spread its way across the UK and beyond.

In the first of a 3 part series for the Ryeland Flock Book Society, I speak to an old friend of the Toplines and Tales podcast, livestock historian Clive Davies, as well as local breeder Jonathan Webb, about the ancient history of the Ryeland Breed. Dating back to medieval times, the breed rose to prominence in Herefordshire and the surrounding areas and found global fame for its excellent quality wool. We speak about it's remarkable journey through the ages in a highly interesting episode.

After 5 years creating and running the Toplines and Tales podcast, and 4 months away from it being extremely busy, T&T is back. Going forward, we will have a variety of formats, but still include some good guests and interviews.  This week we start a series of short poems, written by myself, and others. I have also narrated this one, but we will may have guest narrators in future ones.  Volcano is based on a true story, about a real cow and our exploits at The Royal Show. The story was first previewed in my book In Bed With Cows, some 10 years ago. If you have ever heard me after-dinner speaking, she has often been part of my subject matter.

This week is an interesting and inspiring story from Andrew Keiley who runs the Hardrow Limousin herd alongside his sheep enterprise in Hawes, North Yorkshire. From being born in Manchester suburbs, and the family farm being sold before he had chance to get started, to working his way through the industry, living in a caravan before eventually getting his own farm. We discuss his pedigree interests and Andrew not only tells us of his steps and pitfalls on the way as well as some inspirational advice to youngsters to never let go of your dream.

After a trip to France to speak to an Angus Producers Group a few weeks ago, I pull together some highly interesting guests who cover some quite unusual subjects. Scottish beef in France, a beef vending machine, 100% grants for solar panel barns, a highly intensive sheep enterprise and growing onion seeds; this podcast will open a few eyes to how France is much more forward thinking in a lot of sectors when it comes to farming. Huge thanks go to the very articulate Sara Ollis for her help with this one, and the great chat that concludes this episode.

Three real characters: Scott Brown, Derek Redpath and Findlay McIntire join me this week for a blether as we have our annual Christmas get together over a few drams. Our topics cover those we have lost this year, great men who have mentored us, top breeds of cattle as well as getting into controversial waters around trees, climate change and carbon nonsense. As always happens, our two and a half hours together involve much hilarity and some cracking stories, particularly from Findlay, on his first appearance on the show. With statements like ‘rewilding? As if the ground here on Rannoch isn’t wild enough already!’; pick your way through this and you’ll hear some incredibly good advice from these three wise men!   If Christmas day gets too much, stick your feet up in the back room, some headphones on and enjoy this one with a dram.

Merry Christmas from Toplines and Tales. A song I wrote called Living Well and Christmas. Lyrics below: Christmas day, no time for regretA year gone by, a great time to reflectA family, all around the tableThe lights are on and everything is stableIf you can be really happy with yourselfAnd keep an eye on each others mental healthMake a serious effort in every wayNo reason why it cant always feel like Christmas dayWhether you’re a farmer or just involvedThere are always problems to be solvedBut try and take it easy, don’t get stressedThese things will put you to the tesLiving well, isn’t just a Christmas treatStarting with the diet, watch out what you eatA little exercise, it helps the flowMaybe take a walk out in the snowIf you can be really happy with yourselfAnd keep an eye on each others mental healthMake a serious effort in every wayNo reason why it cant always feel like Christmas dayNow go and have your turkey, you deserveAnd with all the trimmings that’s been servedTake a little time out for the kidsMaybe get a look inside your eye lidsAnd don’t forget the others; a neighbour or a friendwho maybe didn’t have the money to spendPerhaps go and knock on their doorOr at least give them a call……….Because talking is the best releaseto help your troubles decreaseand its always a two-way streetwhen you smile at everyone you meetIf you can be really happy with yourselfAnd keep an eye on each others mental healthMake a serious effort in every wayNo reason why it cant always feel like Christmas dayTry and keep that upbeat feeling goingEven if outside it won’t stop snowingAnd if you ever feel that things are wrongYou can always find some help at "Farmstrong!"If you can be really happy with yourselfAnd keep an eye on each others mental healthMake a serious effort in every wayNo reason why it cant always feel like Christmas dayIf you can be really happy with yourselfAnd keep an eye on everyone’s mental healthMake a serious effort in every wayNo reason why it cant always feel like Christmas dayMerry Christmas