All roads lead to Stirling

More than 740 pedigree bulls and females from eight different breeds will go under the hammer at United Auctions’ worldfamous Stirling Bull Sales next month.

Week one will see shows and sales of

Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorns, Limousins, Herefords and Lincoln Reds on Sunday February 5 and Monday February 6, followed by Simmentals, Charolais and Salers on Sunday February 19 and Monday February 20.

The event opens at 9am on the first Sunday, with the pre-sale show of

Aberdeen-Angus females and bulls. A parade of Lincoln Red, Hereford and Maine Anjou bulls will also take place at 2pm, followed by the judging of Beef Shorthorn females and bulls.

The sales of these five breeds will be held the following day from 10am, while the show of Limousin

bulls will take place from 11am, before going through the sale ring from 3.15pm.

A streamlined second week includes the Sunday judging of the Simmental and Salers, with all sales held the following day. The Charolais judging will commence on the Monday morning and the

Simmental breed will be the first to go under the hammer at 10am.

Following on will be the sale of Salers bulls and females from 1pm and the sales of Charolais bulls and females at 2pm.

John Roberts, group sales director for United Auctions, said: “It will be great to see bumper crowds around the rings at the Stirling sales.

“We also look forward to a resurgence in the social side, which will be a huge boost for the agricultural community as well as a welcome benefit for local accommodation, and the struggling hospitality and retail sector.”

Judges

Aberdeen-Angus: Graeme Massie, Aberdeen.

Beef Shorthorn: Iain Green, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers. Charolais: Ian Goldie, Greenfield Farm, Cummertrees, Annan. Limousin: Llyr Hughes, Fferam Gyd, Llanbabo, Rhosgoch, Anglesey. Salers: John Wildman, Bettyknowes, Crocketford, Dumfries. Simmental: Colin Fordyce, Islabank Farm, Meigle, Blairgowrie.

Programme Friday February 3

5pm: Yard opens. Saturday February 4 7am: Yard opens. 10am: Aberdeen-Angus bull inspection. 2pm: Beef Shorthorn bull inspection, followed by Lincoln Red, Hereford and Maine Anjou bulls. Sunday, February 5

9am: Show of AberdeenAngus females followed by bulls. 2pm:Limousin bull inspection.

2pm: Parade of Lincoln Red, Hereford and Maine Anjou bulls, followed by show of Beef Shorthorn females and bulls. Monday February 6

10am: Sale of AberdeenAngus bulls (153) followed by females (7). 11am: Show of Limousin bulls.

Noon: Sale of Beef Shorthorn females (22). 1pm: Sale of Lincoln Red bulls (2), Hereford bulls (4) and Maine Anjou bull, followed by Beef Shorthorn bulls (114). 3.15pm: Sale of Limousin bulls (81). Friday February 17

5pm: Yard opens. Saturday February 18

7am: Yard opens. 1pm: Simmental bull inspection followed by inspection of Simmental show females. Sunday, February 19

10am: Show of Simmental females followed by bulls. 11am: Salers bull inspection.

12 noon: Charolais bull inspection followed by inspection of Charolais show females. 2.30pm: Show of Salers bulls. Monday February 20

8.30am: Show of Charolais females followed by bulls. 10am: Sale of Simmental bulls (138) followed by females (4).

1pm: Sale of Salers bulls (31) followed by females (5). 2pm: Sale of Charolais bulls (166) followed by females (14+1 calf ).

TAKING STOCK: Graeme Fraser of Newton of Idvies, in Angus, preparing his bulls for the Stirling sale. Picture by Gareth Jennings.