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.