Toplines and Tales

They are back, not exactly by demand, more because they have so much too say. In this first proper episode of the Bottom Line Andy and Mark reveal themselves! The hilarity and insults continue across multiple subjects, including this week: roof tents, where Rabbie Burns did a shite, and Fertilizer! 

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.