Category Archives: United Auctions

United Auctions Scotland's leading livestock auctioneers

United Auctions statement re Caledonian Marts

In response to customer enquiries at the Stirling Bull Sales, United Auctions confirms they have registered an interest in Caledonian Marts.

David Leggat, Executive Chairman at UA, said: “Obviously, we’re interested in the situation and have many mutual customers. The process is subject to a confidentiality agreement, which we clearly want to respect.”

Robin Tough, Group Joint Managing Director, said: “Our priority is to continue to focus on farmers’ requirements and to respond to changes in the market place.

“We have reviewed our sales calendar to allow back end sheep sales being held on Mondays with cattle-only sales on Wednesdays that will incorporate a prime cattle sale.

“Ultimately, we want to be prepared for all eventualities in order to service the needs of the wider farming community.”

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Notes to editor

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

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Press accreditation required for royal visit to 150th Bull Sales – Mon 2nd Feb

All press must apply for accreditation to cover the visit of HRH Princess Royal on the afternoon of Monday, February 2nd at Stirling Agricultural Centre.

Princess Anne’s visit marks the 150th anniversary of the event. She is attending in her role as patron of the Beef Shorthorn cattle society and it is the first time a royal has visited the Bull Sales at Stirling.

To apply for accreditation, please contact Jenny Kumar on jenny@jkconsultancy.com with your name, mobile, media outlet you represent and arrival time on Monday, February 2nd. Once approved, please collect your assigned press badge from the media table in the concourse on arrival.

The Sales have enjoyed royal support with HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother being a regular consignor of Aberdeen-Angus cattle from the Castle of Mey.  She visited the sales on a number of occasions and was very involved with the herd.

HRH The Prince of Wales also attended the sales at Perth in 2002 in his capacity as patron of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society.

David Leggat, Executive Chairman at UA, said: “We’re looking forward with much excitement to welcoming The Princess Royal to the event, in which she has a personal interest. We do require all press and media to apply in good time for accreditation ahead of the Princess’ arrival on the first day of the sales.

“It’s been fascinating reviewing the Bull Sales’ archive, which reflects the changing trends of the breeds over the years. In the early days there was hardly a catalogue while today we detail the health, genetics and performance of the cattle, showing there is something for everyone.”

 

The Bull Sales: present and past

The Spring Bull Sales – sponsored by Bank of Scotland – offers 1150 pedigree bulls and females on show and sale from February 2nd and 3rd, continuing on February 16th and 17th at the Stirling Agricultural Centre.

The world-famous event, now known as the Stirling Bull Sales, started in 1865 at the Perth Market in Mill Street. They were conducted by Macdonald and McCallum and comprised 14 Beef Shorthorns selling to a top of 39gns, averaging around 14gns.

JM Fraser became a partner in 1871, aged 26, and Macdonald Fraser was formed. He was widely recognised as the pioneer of the Sales and did much to develop it into an international event.

In the early sales, the numbers forward were small and it wasn’t until 1872 when numbers had increased significantly – and now included Aberdeen Angus – that they warranted a separate sale day from the normal Friday market.

Held on a Wednesday in mid-March, 75 shorthorns sold for a total of £1964.

1875 saw the company move to larger premises at Caledonian Road and a sale on March 12th 1879 attracted the largest number of buyers including, for the first time, several from overseas, including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

By 1892 the two breeds had separate sale dates: 286 Angus were sold on February 24th while 242 Shorthorns sold on March 2nd.

The biggest prices came during two separate post-war booms. In 1920’s spring sale of Shorthorns, 486 averaged £302 with a top of 6600gns. This was significant because in all that year 2061 bulls sold to an average of £270.

The next boom was in 1946 when brothers Pittodrie Upright and Pittodrie Uprise fetched 14,500gns and 14,000gns, respectively – an impressive amount for that time.

In the 1950s and ‘60s, the Bull Sales had a big influence on the rise of Angus cattle to the US and Argentina. New names in the export trade included Alexander, Schofield and Gammie who were shipping to Buenos Aires and Clint Tomson of Harding and Harding was purchasing for the US.

A groundbreaking influx of Charolais and Simmental breeds camein the early 1970s with Limousins following in the late ‘70s.

Consequently, the Bull Sales was the largest collective sale of Charolais and Simmental in Europe by the 1990s. The catalogue for October 1990 records the sale of 356 Simmental and 510 Charolais.

The event moved from Perth in 2009 and is now well established at Stirling Agricultural Centre in 2009 where it continues to thrive.

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

Notes to Editor:

Judges

Aberdeen-Angus – Bob Lane, Windy Meadow Farm, Edgmond, Newport

Beef Shorthorn – Nigel Miller, Stagehall, Stow, Galashiels

Hereford – Andrew Rennie, Hood Farm, Cambuskenneth, Stirling

Limousin – Alasdair MacNab, Alagils Herd, Kildun Cottage, Dingwall, Highland

Salers – Steven Sandison, Millburn, Harray, Orkney

Simmental – Michael Barlow, Four Oaks, Ulnes Walton Lane, Leyland

Charolais – Michael Massie, Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, Ellon

Show and Sale Programme

Sunday 1 February
9 am Aberdeen Angus bull inspection
12 noon Beef Shorthorn bull inspection followed by Hereford bulls
2 pm Limousin inspection
4 pm Parade of pairs of Aberdeen Angus bulls
Monday 2 February
8 am Show of Aberdeen Angus females followed by bulls
1 pm Show of Beef Shorthorn females followed by bulls followed by show of Hereford bulls
3pm Collective sale of Aberdeen Angus females (101) including drafts from Ballathie, Belhaven, Hillfoots and Retties followed by major reduction of the Chathill herd (66)
5 pm Collective sale of Beef Shorthorn females (27) including draft from Chapelton
Tuesday 3 February
9 am Show of Limousin females followed by bulls
10.30 am Sale of Aberdeen Angus bulls (196)
1.30 pm Sale of Beef Shorthorn bulls (102) following by Luing bull (1) and Hereford bulls (8)
3.30 pm Sale of Limousin bulls (131) followed by females (8)
Sunday 15 February
9 am Simmental bull inspection
12 noon Inspection of Salers followed by British Blue bulls
12.30 pm Charolais bull inspection
4 pm Show of Salers bulls followed by females followed by parade of British Blue bulls, females and British Blonde bulls
5 pm Show of Simmental females
Monday 16 February
8 am Show of Simmental bulls
12 noon Sale of Salers bulls (22) followed by females (17) including draft from Seamore followed by British Blue bulls (4) and females (3) followed by British Blonde bulls (3)
12 noon Show of Charolais females followed by bulls
1 pm Sale of Simmental females (50) including drafts from Beeches, Dirnanean, Innerwick, Skerrington and Wolfstar
1.30 pm Sale of Simmental bulls (207)
Tuesday 17 February
10.30 am Sale of Charolais bulls (239) followed by females (20) including draft from Mornity

 

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

 

 

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HRH Princess Anne to attend 150th Bull Sales

United Auctions is delighted to confirm that HRH Princess Royal is to attend the Stirling Bull Sales in February 2015 to mark the 150th anniversary of the prestigious event.

Princess Anne is attending the first day of the first week of the event in her capacity as patron of the Beef Shorthorn Breed Society.

This will be the first time a member of the royal family has visited the Bull Sales at the Stirling Agricultural Centre.

During her visit, she will view the show of Beef Shorthorn cattle and meet breed officials and Shorthorn enthusiasts.

The world-famous event, now known as the Stirling Bull Sales, started in 1865 at the Perth Market in Mill Street and comprised 14 Beef Shorthorns selling to a top of 39gns, averaging around 14gns.

In February 2015, 100 Shorthorn bulls and 35 females are catalogued, demonstrating that the breed continues to have an important role in commercial beef production.

David Leggat, Executive Chairman at UA, said: “It will be an honour to welcome Princess Anne to Stirling to mark 150 years of the Bull Sales and we’re absolutely delighted that we can celebrate this special occasion with our staff and customers.”

A potted history of the Bull Sales

Macdonald and McCallum conducted the original sales of bulls in 1865. J M Fraser became a partner in 1871, and Macdonald Fraser was formed. He was widely recognised as the pioneer of the Sales and did much to develop it into an international event.

In the early sales, the numbers forward were small and it wasn’t until 1872 when numbers had increased significantly – and now included Aberdeen Angus – that they warranted a separate sale day from the normal Friday market.

Held on a Wednesday in mid-March, 75 shorthorns sold for a total of £1964.

1875 saw the company move to larger premises at Caledonian Road and a sale on March 12th 1879 attracted the largest number of buyers including, for the first time, several from overseas. In the following years buyers from Canada, the US, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa attended the sales.

By 1892 the two breeds had separate sale dates: 286 Angus were sold on February 24th while 242 Shorthorns sold on March 2nd.

The Bull Sales became multi-breed affairs in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s with the rise of continental breeds of cattle.

The event moved from Perth’s Caledonian Road to the Perth Agricultural Centre in 1990 and in 2009 it moved to the Stirling Agricultural Centre where it remains one of the major events in the UK’s Beef Cattle calendar.

At the February Bull Sales, no less than 1150 pedigree bulls and females will be on show and sale. The event will be held from February 2nd and 3rd and will continue on February 16th and 17th at the Stirling Agricultural Centre. They are sponsored by Bank of Scotland.

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

Notes to Editor:

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

Image from http://www.britroyals.com/

 

 

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UA strengthens Executive Team with six new Directors

United Auctions has strengthened its Executive Team with the appointment of six new Directors as part of the Company’s succession planning.

Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers have promoted Auctioneers David Brown, George Purves, John Roberts, Matt Stevenson and Donald Young to Group Sales Directors while Christopher Sharp becomes Administration Director.

The new team of Directors has a greater role and responsibility in shaping and achieving the strategic objectives of the Company.

Along with Donald Morrison, Area Managing Director for Argyll and the Islands, these appointments augment the existing experience already in place at senior level.

The new Directors will work alongside Group Joint Managing Directors Neil McLean and Robin Tough, and Executive Chairman David Leggat who have led the Company since completing an MBO in 2007.

Together, the new Executive Team represents some 170 years in agriculture.

UA’s Executive Chairman David Leggat said: “We’re pleased to see this experienced group joining the board to further strengthen the business going forward.

“It’s testament to how seriously we take our professional training and development programme that we’re able to look within the Company to find leadership talent with the right skills, contacts and knowledge at this level.”

In addition to their new executive duties, the team will continue their current remits.

David Brown and John Roberts deal with the commercial and pedigree cattle sales, including the prestigious Stirling Bull Sales.

George Purves and Matt Stevenson lead UA’s sheep sales with Mr Purves heading up Prime Sheep Sales and Mr Stevenson in charge of Store Sheep Sales while Donald Young manages the North of Scotland.

Christopher Sharp has a BA (Hons) in Business and heads up the Group’s admin function.

All the Directors are members of the Institute of Auctioneers and have completed the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme.

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

Notes to editor

Photo caption: The new directors at United Auctions are (standing l-r) David Brown, Christopher Sharp, John Roberts, Donald Young; (sitting l-r) Matt Stevenson and George Purves.

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

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Standing room only as £40k Blackie tup tops “electric” sale at Dalmally

United Auctions’ Annual Blackface Ram Sale at Dalmally Mart was “electric” on Saturday, October 11th as a top price of £40,000 was achieved in a ringside that was packed to the rafters.

The sale topper was from renowned breeder Ian Hunter, Dalchirla, Crieff – who bred the record-breaking £90,000 tup sold at Dalmally in 2010 – for his second shearling through the ring.

It went to three buyers J Wight & Sons of Midlock, M E McCall Smith of Connachan, Crieff and Troloss Farms, Elvanfoot.

Next best was £20,000 from E MacMillan, Lurg Farm, Fintry sold to J Wight & Sons of Midlock and CC MacArthur & Co, Nunnerie.

Nunnerie themselves topped the lamb ring to £16,000, selling four ways to JR MacGregor (Dyke) Ltd; Duncan MacGregor Ltd, Burnhead; HA Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk and J Murray, Crossflat, Muirkirk.

Meanwhile Dalchirla made the second best lamb price of £14,000 bought by David Morrison, Dalwyne:

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Dalmally auctioneer for the West of Scotland, Peter Wood, who sold the top ram said: “It was an electric sale for Dalchirla, drawing a crowd packed to the rafters, both to bid and see how much the stock would fetch.”

The busy sale kicked off at 10am in the shearling ring with UA’s new auctioneer and Argyllshire son, Raymond Kennedy, starting proceedings in his dynamic style:

United Auctions, Dalmally, Ram Sale.By this point hungry farmers had already munched through 800 breakfast rolls while later they enjoyed fish and chips in the autumn sunshine and made good use of the marquee bar.

Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers sold 172 lambs to average £1021 (down £82 for 26 more sold) and 522 shearlings & aged rams to average £746 (down £38 to 37 more sold on the year).

Mr Wood added: “Overall, the quality of tups was of a high standard with good carcase sheep in great demand from start to finish for the full eight hours’ trading while smaller types were harder to cash.”

One local breeder who “got what he wanted” was John MacPherson of J & J MacPherson, Balliemeanoch, Dalmally. He was “delighted” when his first shearling through the ring fetched £5000 (pictured top), which was split three ways to S McClymont & Son, Tinnis, Selkirk,  Burncastle Farming Company, Burncastle, Lauder and  RF Lambie, Ashcraig, Selkirk and was “happy with the prices” for all stock forward in both rings.

John is the third of four generations of MacPhersons farming around 1600 Blackfaces on 6200 acres near Loch Awe. He now works with his son Alec and was watched on at the sale by his father Ian, who is retired. Ian inherited the farm from his father (Alec’s great grandfather) John MacPherson and remembers coming to the Dalmally sales as a teenager in the late 1940s.

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If you have any old photos of Dalmally Mart in action, please email them to oldphotos@uagroup.co.uk or post a copy to Dalmally Market Photo Appeal, United Auctions, Stirling Agricultural Centre, Stirling FK9 4RN, including any information about the photograph, your name and contact details.

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United Auctions hosting Stirling Bull Sales at Stirling Agricultural Centre

Pedigree cattle to shine at Stirling Bull Sales

The stage is being set at the Stirling Agricultural Centre for a cast and audience of thousands when the curtain goes up for the Stirling Bull Sales next week.

In the spotlight will be 809 pedigree bulls and females across nine breeds for Show and Sale from Monday October 20th to Wednesday October 22nd.

United Auctions hosts the three-day event, which is sponsored by leading independent property consultancy, CKD Galbraith for the eighth year.

One of the biggest dispersal sales in the recent history of the breed will take place when the Glenbuchat Angus herd go under the hammer on Monday 20th October, the first day of the event.

Former Scotland rugby captain David Sole of Glenbuchat Farms, Donside, Aberdeen is retiring from farming and selling his entire herd, totalling 96 lots, which he established in 2007.

The prestigious herd, which is part of the Hi Health scheme, has bred a Senior Champion Bull at February Bull Sales in 2012 and an Overall Champion Bull in this year’s one-day Bull Sale in May.

Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers will welcome special guests over the first two days of the sales, including Stirling Council’s Provost, the Consulate-General of Japan and key industry players.

Keen-eyed spectators will also spot filming taking place as BBC On The Farm will be following Sybil and George MacPherson, one of the farming families being documented in the programme, to be broadcast in 2016.

David Leggat, Executive Chairman of United Auctions, said: “The famous three-day Bull sale is the largest collective show and sale of pedigree cattle in the UK and we’re particularly enthusiastic at the quality coming forward. With entries from the leading herds across the home nations, the real stars are the cattle and the place will be buzzing as they take centre stage.”

Full catalogue details for the Sales are available on the Stirling Bull Sales’ page of UA’s website along with access to the sale ring’s live webcam. And UA’s Facebook page will share as-it-happens news and updates. Opportunities for photographs are available from Sunday.

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For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com Notes to editor

Judges

Aberdeen-Angus – Iain Mathers, Wardes, Kintore, INVERURIE

Beef Shorthorn – The Hon G Turton, The Grange, Upsall, THIRSK

Limousin – Colin Soutter, No 1 Whinfell Park, Brougham, PENRITH

Simmental – Peter Burgess, Tilbrook Farm, Lower Boddington, DAVENTRY

Charolais – Griff Morris, Mwche Farm, Llanstephan, CARMARTHEN

Show and Sale programme

Sunday 19th October
9 am Aberdeen Angus bull inspection
10 am Beef Shorthorn bull inspection
11 am Simmental bull inspection
1.30 pm Limousin bull inspection
Monday 20th October
8.30 am Show of Aberdeen Angus females followed by bulls
10.30 am Show of Beef Shorthorn females followed by bulls
12.30 pm Sale of Aberdeen Angus bulls (70) Beef Shorthorn bulls (35) & Herefords (3)
1 pm Show of Limousin females followed by bulls, followed by Salers
2 pm Sale of Aberdeen Angus females (108) including the disperal of the Glenbuchat herd (85)
3.30 pm Sale of Beef Shorthorn females (102)
5 pm Sale of Limousin bulls (103), Salers bulls (8), British Blue bulls (3), British Blonde bull (1) followed by Limousin females (18) & Salers females (7)
Tuesday 21st October
7 am Charolais bull inspection
8.30 am Show of Simmental females followed by bulls
1 pm Show of Charolais females followed by bulls
1 pm Sale of Simmental females (46)
2 pm Sale of Simmental bulls (141)
Wednesday 22nd October
11 am Sale of Charolais bulls (153) followed by females (12)

 

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

Lurg£700-4240

Stirlingshire farmer breaks UA’s Blackie Centre record second year in a row

Stirlingshire farmer Euan MacMillan of Lurg Farm, Fintry has set a new Centre record at United Auctions for a pen of Blackface draft ewes for the second year running.

The feat took place at UA’s sale of 8763 Blackface breeding sheep sale, at Stirling Agricultural Centre on Monday October 6th.

Mr MacMillan’s pen of 24 draft ewes sold for £700 per head, up £160 on his own record set last year. The buyer was Messrs Barclay of Harestone, Insch, Aberdeen (pictured top).

With the annual sale season for the pedigree sheep breed at its peak, buyers from across Scotland, Northern England, Wales and Northern Ireland also flocked to Stirling Agricultural Centre on Friday October 3rd and Saturday October 4th for UA’s annual Blackface Ram Show and Sale, respectively.

Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers runs the event across two rings – one for ‘Stirling’ or South-type Blackfaces and one for ‘Perth’ or North-type Blackfaces, run by Perth Ram Society.

Leading the sales was an £11,000 South-type ram lamb from M/s Wood & Hunter, Dalchirla, Crieff selling to Troloss Farms, Elvanfoot and Mary McCall Smith, Connachan, Crieff while the top shearling went for £10,000 to A Paton & Co, Craig, Straiton from J Macgregor (Dyke) Ltd, Dyke, Kilsyth.

In the Stirling ring, 167 ram lambs averaged £815 (up £80 for eight more sold) and 563 Shearlings averaged £729 (up £99 on the year for 25 more sold).

Meanwhile, the North-type entries traded to a top of £9,000 and averages in the Perth ring were £742 for 152 shearlings sold (up £124 on the year for the same number sold) and £504 for 49 lambs (down £319 for four more sold).

At Friday’s Show, Stirling Council’s Provost Mike Robbins presented the James Brown Memorial Trophy to the Champion Ram Lamb winner David Baillie, Calla, Lanark and the City of Perth Trophy went to Sandy Smith at Haughton, Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire for the Champion Shearling, which also made Best Sheep in the Yard. _MG_3847   Saturday’s sale day also saw the presentation of an RHASS long service award to Shepherd Jimmy Michie to celebrate 50 years’ at Drumardoch. 3_JMichie_LongServiceRHASS Matt Stevenson, sales manager and auctioneer at UA said: “With the demand for stronger tups it was great to see that overall strength and substance in the pens was markedly improved, which resulted in trade being up.”

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Photo captions: Provost presentation –  (L-R) Steven Duncan, Ram Lamb judge; Shepherd Tom Dunn for Calla with Champion Ram Lamb; Provost Mike Robbins; Donald Main, Championship Judge; Phillip Smith, Haughton with Champion Shearling and Shearling Judge David Nicoll. Courtesy of MacGregor Photography.

Long service award -  (L-R) G A Cameron, owner of Drumardoch with Shepherd Jimmy Michie being presented with his long service award by UA’s Robin Tough on behalf of the RHASS. Courtesy of Whyler Photos.

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UA introduces new rugby trophy at premiership clash

A new trophy is up for grabs as two of Scotland’s top rugby clubs go head-to-head in the BT Premiership this weekend (Saturday, September 20th).

The Càirdeas Quaich has been introduced by United Auctions, the new main sponsor of Stirling County RFC, to celebrate the fierce on-field contests between Stirling County and Ayr.

Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers will present the giant pewter quaich to the inaugural club winner this Saturday at Bridgehaugh.

Pronounced “care-das”, the name means ‘friendly relation’ in Gaelic and reflects the spirit of the relationship between the two clubs and United Auctions.

Neil McLean, Group Joint Managing Director of UA, said: “With our strong links to both Stirling and Ayr rugby clubs, we wanted to mark the positive nature of sporting competition in a special way and the Cairdeas Quaich fits the bill perfectly. We wish the best of luck to both teams on Saturday.”

Kevin Robertson, President of Stirling County said: “The generous introduction by UA of this new Càirdeas Quaich is an added incentive for the players of both teams to secure a victory on Saturday. Ayr and County are old friends and rivals, and matches between our two clubs are always keenly contested. With both teams challenging in an increasingly competitive BT Premiership, I am sure Saturday’s encounter will live up to all expectations.”

Billy McHarg, Ayr RFC President, said: “We’re really grateful for the continuing support from UA and welcome this new trophy to be contested at each league game between Ayr and Stirling County. It’s a positive move to promote both clubs in working closer together and a great way to demonstrate just how much the farming community supports Scottish club rugby.”

Kick off for Stirling County v Ayr is at 3pm at Bridgehaugh, Stirling.

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Notes to editor

  • Picture caption: Stirling County Club Captain Struan Robertson (left) and teammate Danny Gilmour hope to keep their hands on new Càirdeas Quaich after the game against Ayr RFC on Saturday.

 

Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

 

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Miss Scotland joins ringside bidding at Dalmally Mart

Miss Scotland, Ellie McKeating, entered into the ringside spirit at Dalmally Mart on Saturday (September 13th) when she joined in the bidding at the United Auctions’ sale.

Miss McKeating who is getting to know Scotland’s livestock sector better in her role as ambassador for Scotch Lamb with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), created quite a stir at United Auctions’ biggest Annual Show and Sale of Blackface Lambs in recent years.

Clearly enjoying the buzzing atmosphere of a packed ringside at the sale, which had an entry of some 8000 lambs and feeding sheep, Miss Scotland successfully bid (on behalf on an undisclosed buyer) for a cheviot cross lamb from seller Stuart Galbraith of Barachander Farm, near Loch Awe.

The visit to one of Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers’ facility was part of Miss McKeating’s induction to the market system. It follows a number of engagements in recent weeks, including joining farmers across Scotland at sampling events during the recent “Love Scotch Lamb Weekend”, organised by QMS, NFU Scotland and the National Sheep Association.

And as she toured the bustling Dalmally market, Miss McKeating spoke with UA customers from Crieff, Crianlarich and Oban about their stock and was stopped for selfies by a trio of younger Oban farmers below (l-r Callum Leith, Blair Menzies and Ross Ferguson) who were selling at the bumper event.

Miss Scotland Dalmally26 medres

Miss McKeating said: “Many thanks to the United Auctions’ team and the farmers I met for making me feel so welcome. Having never been to a livestock auction market before it was great to learn about this traditional system and Dalmally Mart’s importance to livestock producers and the rural community in such a big area. On thing which came through very strongly was the pride the farmers and auctioneers take in the quality of the livestock and stockmanship skills in this part of Scotland.”

She went on to present the James Weir Memorial Trophy for the championship pen of Blackface Lambs to three generations of the Buchanan family of Achnaba Farm, Oban, including Archie Buchanan, his daughter Morag MacCorquodale, husband Donald and their son Donnie.

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The Buchanans also achieved the top price of £62.50 for their championship pen bought by Judge Bill Cameron from Keith in Aberdeen.

Miss Scotland also enjoyed a Scotch Lamb burger, courtesy of the marts’ café, at the end of her visit.

Peter Wood, UA’s auctioneer for the west of Scotland, said: “We were delighted to welcome Ellie to Dalmally. She brought an extra buzz to the place and made a very good sale in which sellers were up on the year even better.”

Miss Scotland Dalmally07 medres

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

Notes to editor

  • Pic caption (Miss Scotland Dalmally 7):Miss Scotland channels her inner Bo Peep at Dalmally.

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

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Miss Scotland to make market ‘debut’ at Dalmally

Miss Scotland, Ellie McKeating, is set to visit her first ever livestock sale when she attends Dalmally Mart next week.

United Auctions will welcome Miss McKeating to their Annual Show and Sale of around 6000 Cross Bred and Blackface Wedder Lambs and Feeding Sheep on Saturday, September 13th, 2014.

The visit to one of Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers’ important facility in the west, will form part of Miss McKeating’s induction to the industry in her role as a “Lambassador”, supporting Quality Meat Scotland’s ongoing promotion activities behind Scotch Lamb.

Miss McKeating has been meeting with farmers to learn more about the industry and the stockmanship skills involved in sheep farming and also took part in Scotch Lamb sampling events around the country during Love Scotch Lamb Weekend (August 23rd and 24th).

During her visit, Miss McKeating will experience the market system first-hand at the ringside, meet farmers from Argyll and the islands and view the quality livestock on offer before presenting the James Weir Memorial Trophy for the best pen of Blackface lambs.

Ellie McKeating, who was crowned Miss Scotland in May 2014, said: “I’m really looking forward to speaking to the farmers at my first market visit, seeing the livestock and learning more about where our wonderful Scotch Lamb comes from.”

Donald Morrison, Area Managing Director for Argyll and the Islands said: “We’re pleased to welcome Miss Scotland to Dalmally in what will be a strong line-up of top quality stock going through the mart. We’re looking ahead to a busy season of sales with the tup sale and calf sale in October so it’s a great introduction to the industry and particularly the west of Scotland.”

Auctioneer for the West of Scotland, Peter Wood said: “It’s great that Miss McKeating’s visit is highlighting the essential part that Dalmally plays in the area and I’m sure that she’ll enjoy the drama of the sale ring.”

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

 Notes to editor

  • Picture caption: Ellie McKeating, Miss Scotland, in a Scotch Lamb branded dress.
  • The James Weir Memorial Trophy was introduced in 2010 to honour the late leading livestock auctioneer. Donated by Mrs Weir in memory of her husband, it is an annual prize at the sale to mark Jimmy’s involvement and passion for the area and the mart.

 

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.