February Bull Sales: new format for shows and sales

The Stirling Bull Sales at Stirling Agricultural Centre will feature 1055 pedigree bulls and females on show and sale from Sunday, January 31st to Tuesday, February 2nd and from Sunday, February 14th to Tuesday, February 16th.

The more compact programme includes Sunday judging in both weeks. On Sunday, January 31st the Aberdeen Angus females and bulls show takes place at 12.30pm with the sale the following day. On Sunday, February 14th, the show of Simmental females and bulls takes place at noon with the show of Salers bulls at 4pm. Both sales will be held the following day.

The new February programme follows a similar redesign successfully introduced in October by Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers.

John Roberts, Sales Director and Auctioneer at UA, said: “The updated schedule is a next step in the evolution of the Bull Sales. It reflects customer demand to get the most value out of the event – and their time off the farm.”

David Brown, Sales Director and Auctioneer at UA said: “The Spring Sales offers no less than 342 vendors of high quality bulls and females. Entries come from the four corners of the UK - from Shetland and Orkney to Somerset, Southampton, Portsmouth and from Northern Ireland, Swansea and Wold in Wales, to Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire - highlighting the national importance of this event.”

In the second week, customers will be interested to note the sale of the complete adult portion of the Fife-based Broombrae herd of high performing Simmental cattle on Monday, February 15th.

Bank of Scotland is sponsoring the February Bull Sales again and will have a strong presence at the event.

Sandy Hay, Head of Agriculture Bank of Scotland, South and East Scotland said: “Bank of Scotland is extremely proud to sponsor the Stirling Bull Sales again this year, and we’re looking forward to seeing some of the finest pedigree bulls in the UK on show. We recognise that 2016 could be another challenging year for many farmers. Our relationship managers are committed to working directly with farmers to bridge the delay in the basic payment scheme, and helping them to manage and grow their businesses.”

Guest of honour at the Sales will be Stirling Council’s Provost Mike Robbins and customers may spot BBC presenter and farmer Adam Henson filming for Countryfile on Monday, February 1st.

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

Judges

Aberdeen-Angus – John Lohoar, Glenbervie Home Farm, Drumlithie, Stonehaven

Beef Shorthorn – Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness, Stromness

Limousin - James Hazard, Saltby Heath, Skillington, Grantham

Salers - Neil Austin, Boreland Of Girthon, Gatehouse Of Fleet

Simmental – Gary Christie, Midtown Of Glass, Huntly

Charolais – Ben Harman, Grove Farm, Grove Lane, Chesham

Programme of Events

Saturday 30th January 2016: 7am Yard opens; 2pm Aberdeen-Angus bull inspection

Sunday 31st January 2016: 10am Beef Shorthorn bull inspection followed by Luing and Hereford bulls; 12.30pm Show of Aberdeen-Angus females followed by bulls; 2pm Limousin bull inspection followed by British Blue

Monday 1st February 2016: 8.30am Show of Beef Shorthorn females followed by bulls; 10.30am Sale of Aberdeen-Angus bulls (163); 1.30pm Sale of Beef Shorthorn bulls (103) followed by Luing bull (1), Hereford bulls (2); 2pm Sale of Aberdeen-Angus females (60 + 10 calves); 3.30pm Sale of Beef Shorthorn females (25)

Tuesday 2nd February 2016: 9am Show of Limousin bulls; 12.50pm Sale of British Blue bulls (3); 1pm Sale of Limousin bulls (111) followed by Limousin females (5)

Saturday 13th February: 7am Yard opens; 2pm Simmental bull inspection

Sunday 14th February 2016: 12 noon Show of Simmental females followed by bulls; 12 noon Salers bull inspection; 12.15pm Charolais bull inspection; 4.30pm Show of Salers bulls

Monday 15th February 2016: 10.30am Sale of Simmental females (50 + 3 calves) followed by complete adult portion of the Broombrae herd (33 + 11 calves); 12 noon Show of Charolais females followed by bull; 12.30pm Sale of Salers bulls (21) followed by females (16); 1pm Sale of Simmental bulls (217)

Tuesday 16th February 2016: 10.30 am Sale of Charolais bulls (232) followed by females (13)