Just shy of 230 head of pedigree beef cattle from six breeds have been entered for United Auctions’ Stirling Bull Sales on Monday, May 6.

The event which has grown in popularity over the years as more producers calve in the spring, has witnessed new centre records on a regular basis and last year saw no fewer than eight bulls sell at five-figure prices.

This year’s sales look set to be equally buoyant with the record store cattle trade seen up and down the country and ex-farm beef prices appearing more positive.

Last year’s trade was topped at 16,000gns by a Simmental from Overhill House, due to the increased demand to produce replacement females, with expectations for red and white dual-purpose breeds expected to be just as buoyant.

Limousin bull entries are the highest with 65, with this year’s line-up also boasting the largest number of Charolais forward post-Covid with 60 due to go under the hammer. There are also 38 Simmental, 35 Aberdeen Angus; 14 Beef Shorthorns and 11 Salers bull entries along with five Limousin females.

All sales will be held on Monday, with the Charolais breed opening the event at 10am followed by the Simmental bulls at 11.45am. The remaining breeds will be sold in the afternoon.

The event is again supported by Galbraith, one of Scotland’s leading independent property consultancy businesses.

It’s a busy time for all pedigree beef cattle breeders with the sale hot on the heels of Harrison and Hetherington’s Limousin Society show and sale on Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4, at Carlisle, and the sales of Charolais, British Blue and Simmental the following week on Saturday, May 11, at the same centre.

Sales of Aberdeen Angus, Beef Shorthorn and Hereford cattle at Harrison and Hetherington’s Borderway Mart take place on Friday, May 17.

Stirling Bull Sales Judges

Aberdeen Angus: John S Davidson, Sutherquoy, Orkney.

Beef Shorthorn: Emma Trueman, Roundhill Farm, Quarmford, Buxton.

Charolais: Medwyn Williams, Castell Mawr, Pistyll.

Limousin: Drew Kennedy, Tom of Cluny Farm, Aberfeldy

Salers: Peter Mackie, Goodockhill, Newhouse, Motherwell.

Simmental: Jonnie Hazelton, Cohannon House, 25 Bovean Road, Dungannon, Northern Ireland.