Galbraith as new sole sponsor of national event
United Auctions are set to welcome a record number of Salers forward, the first official sale of Lincoln Reds, a new sole sponsor and much more when the Stirling Bull Sales kick off next month.
Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers will host no less than 962 pedigree bulls and females on show and sale at the February Bull Sales. The two-week event takes place at Stirling Agricultural Centre from Sunday 4 February to Monday 5 February and continues from Sunday 18 February to Tuesday 20 February 2018 at United Auctions’ headquarters, Stirling Agricultural Centre.
Importantly, February 2018 marks the start of sole, all-year sponsorship by Galbraith of the Stirling Bull Sales which take place in February, May and October annually.
The leading independent property consultancy 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.”
Simon Brown, head of rural and residential sales and lettings at Galbraith, said: “The Stirling Bull Sales showcase the best pedigrees in the country and we’re delighted to support such a prestigious event.
“This sponsorship is testament to our commitment as rural specialists and allows us to gain greater brand exposure amongst our target audience. We very much look forward to strengthening our successful relationship with United Auctions throughout the year.”
All about the pedigree…
Popular Sunday judging continues at the Stirling Bull Sales with the main sales held on the Monday of week one and the Monday and Tuesday of week two.
This year, the Bull Sales hosts a total of ten breeds, including the first official sale of pedigree Lincoln Red bulls taking place on the afternoon of Monday 5 February following a parade on Sunday 4 February in the exhibition hall.
A highlight of week one will be the chance for breeders and commercial buyers to source great genetics from the part dispersal of the Perthshire-based Coldrochie Beef Shorthorn herd from Douglas McMillan who is retiring. Coldrochie stock has achieved considerable success at both national and local shows. The autumn calving portion together with a crop of young bulls, comprising 27 lots, will be sold on Monday 5 February while the spring calving portion will be dispersed in May.
The herd has an excellent health and production record and bulls and draft females have met a strong demand at the Stirling sales.
An all-time record of pedigree Salers bulls (44) and females (25) forward in week two can be seen at the pre-sale show on Sunday 18 February and the sale on Monday 19 February.
Meanwhile a major reduction of the Woodhall herd, comprising 55 lots, from the late Hector Macaskill will be held on the morning of Monday 19 February. Established in 1976, this herd of Simmentals has tremendous breeding with a consistent source of top class pedigree and commercial stud bulls.
John Roberts, United Auctions’ Group Sales Director, said: “The top bulls are coming to be sold in Stirling at the February Bull Sales – from Shetland to Somerset and Aberdeen to Tiree and Northern Ireland – offering a leading line up in both number and quality bloodlines. It’s also fantastic to see the growth in the Salers breed and we’re delighted to welcome the first foundation sale of Lincoln Reds.”
Full catalogue details for the Sales will be also available on the Stirling Bull Sales’ page of United Auctions’ websitealong with access to the sale ring’s live webcam. Opportunities for photographs are available from the Saturday of each week.
-Ends-
Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com
Notes to editor
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 & SALE PROGRAMME
Friday 2 February
5pm Yard opens
Saturday 3 February
7am Yard opens
11.30am Aberdeen-Angus bull inspection
2.30pm Beef Shorthorn bull inspection followed by Lincoln Red, Hereford and Luing bulls
Sunday 4 February
10am Show of Aberdeen-Angus females followed by 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 5 February
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 dispersal of the Coldrochie herd (27) PART
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)
Friday 16 February
5pm Yard opens
Saturday 17 February
7am Yard opens
12 noon Simmental bull inspection followed by show females
Sunday 18 February
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 19 February
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 20 February
10.30 am Sale of Charolais bulls (171) followed by females (9)
About United Auctions
United Auctions 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 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.