RECORD numbers of Salers, a first official sale of Lincoln Reds and a new sole sponsor are just a few of the highlights of next month's United Auctions' Stirling Bull Sales.

This year's event again features a top quality line-up of pedigree bulls and females from no fewer than 10 beef breeds, but also the first part of Douglas McMillan's dispersal of the Perthshire-based Coldrochie Beef Shorthorn herd and a major reduction of the late Hector Macaskill's Woodhall Simmental herd from Dunbar.

In all, some 962 pedigree bulls and females will be forward for the various breed shows and sales which again covers a two-week period at Stirling Agricultural Centre, from Sunday, February 4 to Monday, February 5 and continues on Sunday, February 18, to Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

These sales also herald the start of sole, all-year sponsorship by Galbraith of the Stirling Bull Sales which take place in February, May and October every year.

As one of the leading independent property consultants, Galbraiths has a long, strategic partnership with United Auctions, which continues to go from strength to strength. The national sales centre of Galbraith is based at the Agricultural Centre in the City of Stirling and together with United Auctions, the two Stirling businesses employ more than 350 people.

George Purves, managing director of United Auctions said: “The Stirling Bull Sales are well recognised as one of the most important dates in the farming calendar. Three times a year the city enjoys an out-of-season influx of visitors with demand in hotels, bars, restaurants and conference facilities providing a welcome local economic boost.

“Gaining year-long support from Galbraith of this world-famous event represents a significant investment in and long-term commitment to the city of Stirling, to Scottish agriculture, and beyond. We’re delighted to welcome them as sole sponsor from this year going forward.”

All about pedigree cattle, the first week of the sales, again sees the popular Sunday judging continue with the main sales held on the Monday of week one and the Monday and Tuesday of week two.

The first week again includes the shows and sales of Aberdeen Angus, Beef Shorthorn an Limousin and this year, the first official sale of pedigree Lincoln Red bulls, which will take place on the afternoon of Monday, February 5 following a parade on Sunday, February 4 in the exhibition hall.

Week one also features the part dispersal of the Perthshire-based Coldrochie Beef Shorthorn herd, which has achieved notable success of the years, from Douglas McMillan who is retiring. The autumn-calving portion together with a crop of young bulls, comprising 27 lots, will be sold on Monday, February 5 while the spring-calving portion will be dispersed in May.

The first Monday will also see the sale of 175 Aberdeen Angus bulls and eight females. The Beef Shorthorn sale will feature 24 females, the first part (27) of the Coldrochie dispersal and 96 bulls which will followed by the sale of three Lincoln Red; five Hereford and one Luing bull.

In addition, two British Blue bulls; 99 Limousin bulls and four females, will be cashed on Monday, February 5.

Week two of the Bull Sales features shows of Salers and Simmentals on Sunday, February, 18, with sales the following day comprising 31 Simmental females and 55 from the late Hector Macaskill's Woodhall Simmental herd and 183 bulls. Some 44 Salers bulls and 25 females will also be cashed on Monday, February 19, while the show of Charolais females and bulls will be staged in the exhibition hall in the afternoon.

Tuesday, February 20 will see the conclusion of the event with the sale of 171 Charolais bulls and nine breed females.

Full catalogue details for the Sales is available on the Stirling Bull Sales’ page of United Auctions’ website along with access to the sale ring’s live webcam.

BREED JUDGES

Aberdeen-Angus – Alan Morrison, The Acre, Drummeer, Maguiresbridge

Beef Shorthorn – Carey Coombs, Weston Farm, Dunsyre, Carnwath

Limousin – Ian Nimmo, Bogside Farm, Newmains, Wishaw

Salers – Alisdair Davidson, Poldean, Wamphray, Moffat

Simmental – Anne MacPherson, Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness

Charolais – Arwel Owen, Tynewydd, Garthbeibio, Foel, Welshpool

Show and sale programme

Week One

Friday, February 2

5pm Yard opens

Saturday, February 3

7am Yard opens

11.30am Aberdeen-Angus bull inspection

2.30pm Beef Shorthorn bull inspection followed by Lincoln Red, Hereford and Luing bulls

Sunday, February 4

10am Parade of Aberdeen-Angus lead females followed by show of bulls

2pm Limousin bull inspection followed by British Blue bulls

2.30pm Show of Beef Shorthorn females followed by bulls and parade of Lincoln Red, Hereford and Luing bulls

Monday, February 5

10am Parade of Limousin females followed by Show of bulls

10.30am Sale of Aberdeen-Angus bulls (175) followed by females (8)

11am Sale of Beef Shorthorn females (24) including part dispersal of the Coldrochie herd (27)

1.30pm Sale of Beef Shorthorn bulls (96) followed by Lincoln Red (3), Hereford (5) and Luing (1) bulls

3.30pm Sale of British Blue bulls (2), Limousin bulls (99) followed by Limousin females (4)

Week Two

Friday, February 16

5pm Yard opens

Saturday, February 17

7am Yard opens

12 noon Simmental bull inspection followed by show females

Sunday, February 18

10am Salers bull inspection

11am Show of Simmental females followed by bulls

11.30am Charolais bull inspection followed by show females

2.30pm Show of Salers females followed by bulls

Monday, February 19

10.30am Sale of Simmental females (31) including major reduction of the Woodhall herd (55)

11am Sale of Salers bulls (44)

12 noon Show of Charolais females followed by bulls

12.30pm Sale of Salers females (25)

12.45pm Sale of Simmental bulls (183)

Tuesday, February 20

10.30 am Sale of Charolais bulls (171) followed by females (9)