A BUMPER line up of pedigree cattle from no fewer than eight breeds to include the largest number of Aberdeen Angus bulls and females for the October sales, will be forward for United Auctions Stirling Bull Sales.

In all, the three-day event from Sunday, October 21 to Tuesday, October 23, will feature the sale of 771 pedigree bulls and females to include Beef Shorthorn, Limousin, Simmental, Charolais, Salers, British Blonde and Lincoln Red cattle.

Angus make up the biggest percentage of entries accounting for 98 bulls and 174 females, due to the growing demand for the breed according to John Roberts United Auctions' Group sales director.

“The number of Aberdeen-Angus bulls forward is testament to the breed gaining in popularity with demand for grass-fed beef continuing to grow as well as the increase in values that the Angus premium brings.”

“It’s also fantastic to see so many Aberdeen-Angus females being sold through the market system at Stirling, demonstrating the strength and importance of the sale ring.”

The busy three-day programme will again see the judging of the Aberdeen Angus on the Sunday morning, followed by Beef Shorthorn cattle and a parade of Salers, British Blue and Lincoln Red bulls in the afternoon, with their sales being held on the Monday.

In contrast to previous years, the pre-sale show of Charolais bulls will be held on Monday morning followed by Simmental cattle in the afternoon with the sales of both breeds taking place the following day, on the Tuesday.

This year's event also features three herd dispersals to include two Aberdeen-Angus and a pedigree Simmental herd.

The Perthshire-based Moncur Angus herd comprising 50 lots from GC Taylor and the sale of 101 lots from Schivas Estates' Schivas herd from Ellon, will both be staged on the Monday afternoon.

The Simmental female sale on the Tuesday morning includes the dispersal of the Dykes' Mendick herd, totalling 38 lots.

"These dispersal sales of pedigree cattle represent a great chance for buyers to source top class Aberdeen Angus and Simmental genetics,” concluded David Brown, sales director at United Auctions who will be wielding the hammer for the dispersals.

Judges

Aberdeen-Angus – Noel Hooke, 10 Spirehill Road, Hillsborough, Co Down

Beef Shorthorn – John Scott, Fearn Farm, Fearn, Tain

Charolais – Will Short, Woodpark, Beragh, Omagh

Limousin – Michael Robertson, Mid Fodderletter, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch

Simmental – Norman Robson, 106 Cogry Road, Doagh, Ballyclare

Show and sale programme

Friday, October 19

5pm Yard opens

Saturday, October 20

12 noon Aberdeen-Angus bull inspection

2pm Beef Shorthorn bull inspection followed by Lincoln Red bull inspection

Sunday, October 21

8.30am Limousin bull inspection followed by British Blonde inspection

10am Charolais bull inspection

10.30am Show of Aberdeen-Angus females followed by bulls

12 noon Simmental bull inspection followed by Salers bull inspection

1.30pm Show of Beef Shorthorn females followed by bulls

2.30pm Show of Limousin bulls followed by parade of Salers, British Blonde and Lincoln Red bulls

Monday, October 22

10am Show of Charolais bulls

10.30am Sale of Aberdeen-Angus bulls (98)

11am Sale of classes and drafts of Beef Shorthorn females (65) – including Chapelton (7), Glenisla (11), Dunsyre (10)

1pm Sale of Beef Shorthorn bulls (26) followed by Lincoln Red bull (1)

1pm Sale of classes and drafts of Aberdeen-Angus females (174 + 81 calves) including Gretnahouse (3), Glenhaven (10 + 10 calves), followed by dispersals from Moncur (50 lots) and Schivas (101 lots).

2pm Sales of Limousin bulls (66) followed by Limousin females (2+2 calves), British Blonde bulls (2) and Salers bulls (11)

2pm Show of Simmental females followed by bulls

Tuesday, October 23

10.45am Sale of Charolais bulls (142)

11am Sale of classes and drafts of Simmental females (72 + 34 calves) including Boars Head (7), Kennox (4), Langalbuinoch (4), Cairnview (2), followed by Mendick dispersal (38 lots)

1pm Sale of Simmental bulls (112).