More than 800 pedigree bulls and females from nine breeds and from some of the UK's leading beef herds will be forward for next month's Stirling Bull Sales.

The event is again staged over two weeks, with the first for the Aberdeen Angus, Beef Shorthorn, Hereford, Limousin, and Lincoln Red breeds taking place on Sunday, February 4, and Monday, February 5.

This year's sale of 826 bulls and females will also include the first official Luing Cattle Society sale of bulls in the second week which commences on February 18 and 19 and includes Charolais, Salers, and Simmental breeds.

The second week of the sales will also feature the part dispersal of Gordon Clark's pedigree Broombrae Simmental herd from Auchtermuchty and closing the event is the sale of the entire 2021/2022 crop of pedigree Charolais heifers from the Harestone herd of N and R Barclay, Insch, Aberdeenshire.

Held under the auspices of the national breed societies, the Stirling Bull Sales are sponsored year-round by independent property consultants, Galbraith, who will be holding spin bike training sessions in the concourse in preparation for their charity fundraiser on March 8.

The team is participating in ‘All Roads Lead to Rome’ and plans on cycling the distance between Scottish Gas Murrayfield and Stadio Olympico on stationary bikes across their offices to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Alastair Christie of Galbraith said: “We are proud to continue supporting Rob Wainwright and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research. The event not only aligns with our commitment to this cause but also motivates Galbraith staff to train during the darker months, positively impacting mental health and overall wellbeing.”

This year the Bull Sales will also welcome special guest Alyn Smyth SNP MP for Stirling and renowned figures from the agricultural community including Norman Catto who returns to Stirling from Argentina for the first time in more than 30 years to judge the Aberdeen-Angus.

Judges

Aberdeen Angus – Norman Catto, cc274 7000 Tandil, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

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

Charolais – Gareth Roberts, Parc, Llangadfan, Welshpool

Limousin – Joan Gilliland, 110 Ballyrobin Road, Antrim

Salers – Arwel Owen, Llwyn Y Gog, Foel, Welshpool

Simmental – Stuart Barclay, West Rossburnlane, Blairdrummond, Stirling

Programme of events

Friday, February 2

5pm Yard opens

Saturday, February 3

7am Yard opens

9.45am Aberdeen Angus bull inspection

12noon Beef Shorthorn bull inspection followed by Lincoln Red and Hereford bulls

Sunday, February 4

9am Limousin bull inspection

9am Show of Aberdeen-Angus females followed by bulls

12.30pm Show of Beef Shorthorn females followed by bulls

2.30pm Parade of Lincoln Red and Hereford bulls and heifer followed by show of Limousin bulls

Monday, February 5

10am Sale of Aberdeen Angus bulls (131) followed by females (24) (Ring 2)

11am Sale of Beef Shorthorn females (27)

1pm Sale of Lincoln Red bulls (two), Hereford bulls (two) and heifer, followed by Beef Shorthorn bulls (94)

2.45pm Sale of Limousin bulls (74) followed by females (eight)

Friday, February 16

5pm Yard opens

Saturday, February 17

7am Yard opens

10am Simmental bull inspection followed by inspection of Simmental show females

1.30pm Salers bull inspection followed by Luing bull inspection

2pm Charolais bull inspection followed by inspection of Charolais show females

Sunday, February 18

9am Show of Simmental females followed by bulls

1.30pm Show of Salers bulls followed by parade of Luing bulls

2pm Show of Charolais females followed by bulls

Monday, February 19

10am Sale of Simmental bulls (168) followed by females (10) (Ring 2) followed by part dispersal of the Broombrae herd (24 + 13 calves)

1pm Sale of Salers bulls (24) followed by Luing bulls (5)

1.45pm Sale of Charolais bulls (179) followed by females (nine), sale of the entire 2021/2022 crop of pedigree Charolais heifers from the Harestone herd (32)