Beef producers looking to improve the quality of their cattle will be able to select new stock sires from a record entry of Aberdeen-Angus coupled with increased entries of Beef Shorthorn, Limousin and Simmental bulls forward for United Auctions' Stirling Bull Sales.

The Autumn Bull Sales will see no fewer than 698 pedigree bulls and females across nine breeds on show and sale from Sunday, October 20 to Tuesday, October 22, at Stirling Agricultural Centre.

The event, supported by Galbraith, one of Scotland’s leading independent property consultancy, kicks into gear on the Sunday with the judging of the Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn and Limousin cattle with their sales taking place the following day along with the sale of Maine Anjou, Lincoln Red, Salers and British Blonde bulls.

The pre-sale shows of Charolais bulls and Simmental cattle will also be held on Monday, October 21 and they will go under the hammer on Tuesday, October 22.

This year's sales also features three major dispersals of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus and Charolais.

On the Monday, Aberdeen-Angus breeders will have the opportunity to secure new bloodlines from two successful and well-established herds.

First through the ring is the total sale of Ben Marsden’s Liley herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle from Penistone, South Yorkshire, which includes the sale of multiple show champion Liley Kinannie, and senior stock bull Shadwell Earl P773.

Next will be the complete sale of the autumn-calving portion of the Forfar-based Wolflaw herd from D and P Murray, comprising 20 cows with calves at foot.

These sales will be followed on the Tuesday morning, by the complete sale of the Lesliepark herd of pedigree Charolais from Denny-based breeder G Russell. This sale comprises 15 cows with calves at foot, four maiden heifers and stock bull and offers new genetics from a successful herd with a selection of female lines from some of the breed's well-known herds. Included here will be this year’s junior female and overall junior champion at the Charolais National Show, Lesliepark Nora.

John Roberts, United Auctions’ group sales director, said: “It’s great to see a record entry of 109 Angus bulls this year and the increase of Beef Shorthorn, Limousin and Simmental bulls forward.

“This year’s busy programme of high-quality bulls and females has something for every buyer. The set of sales will be led by a dynamic team headed up by sales director David Brown with Ross Fotheringham, Raymond Kennedy and Murray Rainnie who will be sure to keep the buzz going from the first day to the last.”

Judges

Aberdeen-Angus – David Johnstone, Ballindalloch Home Farm, Ballindalloch

Beef Shorthorn – James Porter (partner Amy Richardson), 3 Portman Business Park, Lisburn

Charolais – Allen Drysdale, Middle Drimmie, Blairgowrie

Limousin – Andrew Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk

Simmental – Adrian Ivory, Moolies, Meigle

Show and sale programme

Friday, October 18

5pm – Yard opens

Saturday, October 19

12noon – Aberdeen-Angus bull inspection

2pm – Beef Shorthorn bull inspection followed by Maine Anjou and Lincoln Red bull inspection

Sunday, October 20

8.30am – Limousin bull inspection followed by British Blonde inspection

10am – Show of Aberdeen-Angus females followed by bulls

10.30am – Charolais bull inspection

12.30pm – Simmental bull inspection followed by Salers bull inspection

1pm – Show of Beef Shorthorn females followed by bulls

2.15pm – Parade of Maine Anjou, Lincoln Red, Salers and British Blonde bulls

2.30pm – Show of Limousin bulls

Monday, October 21

10am – Show of Charolais bulls

10.30am – Sale of Aberdeen-Angus bulls (109)

11am – Sales of classes and drafts of Beef Shorthorn females (73)

1pm – Sale of Beef Shorthorn bulls (33) followed by Maine Anjou (2), Lincoln Red (1), Salers (9) and British Blonde (2)

1pm – Sale of classes and drafts of Aberdeen-Angus females (129 and 83 calves)

1.30pm – Show of Simmental females followed by bulls

2pm – Sale of Limousin bulls (92)

Tuesday, October 22

10.30am – Sale of Charolais bulls (121) followed by females (22 and 15 calves)

11.30am – Sale of Simmental females (29 and 13 calves)

1pm – Sale of Simmental bulls (149).