United Auctions introduces Morton Strachan Memorial Quaich at Stirling Bull Sales

Morton Strachan

This year’s Stirling Bull Sales in May will see the inaugural presentation of the Morton Strachan MBE Memorial Quaich.

The silver quaich has been created by United Auctions to honour the late leading livestock auctioneer and long-time Board member who sadly died in August 2018.

It will be presented as an annual prize for the Supreme Champion Charolais Bull during the May Bull Sales, which take place this year from Sunday 5 to Monday 6 May 2019 at Stirling Agricultural Centre.

Morton was a highly respected champion for the agricultural sector with a career spanning more than 50 years.

He left school aged 14 to become a trainee auctioneer at Hamilton market and worked in Edinburgh and Cupar before moving to Stirling market in 1958 where he specialised in selling prime cattle. Morton was Managing Director of UA from 1990-95 and, following retirement, remained on the main Board of UA Group PLC until 1999. He continued to be involved with the Bull Sales and acted in an advisory capacity as recently as the construction of Stirling Agricultural Centre.

Known for his energy and enthusiasm in and out of the box, Morton never missed the Royal Highland Show where he was a local director in 1997 and a Steward for many years.

Neil McLean, Chairman of United Auctions, said: “Morton lived and worked in Stirling for 60 years, making an indelible mark on those who knew him by going that extra mile with great care, thought and attention. He was dedicated to his work while being a true family man so it’s fitting that his daughters are the first to present this special tribute which honours his legacy.”

 

Stirling Bull Sales

This year’s May bull sales takes place across two days and will see a strong entry of 242 pedigree bulls and females across nine breeds.

Judging will take place on Sunday 5 May for the pedigree Charolais, Simmental, Salers, Beef Shorthorn and Aberdeen-Angus breeds, including a parade of Highland and Hereford bulls. The Limousin pre-sale show will be held on the morning of Monday 6 May ahead of all the breed sales, which start from 10.30am.

The Stirling Bull Sales is supported by all-year sponsors Galbraith, Scotland’s leading independent property consultancy.

John Roberts, United Auctions’ Group Sales Director, said: “There will be a tremendous show of bulls forward this May with pedigree breeders making the journey to Stirling from the four corners of Scotland, Northern England and Oxfordshire. It’s also great to see that the numbers of Limousin, Salers, Charolais and Beef Shorthorn bulls forward are all up on the year. And we look forward to welcoming a Maine Anjou bull to this year’s line-up, a first for Stirling in the show and sale ring.”

 

-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

Photo caption: Morton Strachan pictured in 2013 with a Charolais bull at the Doune and Dunblane show where he was also a director.

Judges

Charolais- David Thornley, 30a Main Street, Hartshorne, Swadlincote

Simmental- James Wightman, Coxhill, Candie, Maddiston, Falkirk

Salers- James W Morton, Kaeside, Melrose

Beef Shorthorn- Stuart Macadie, Skaill, Thurso

Aberdeen-Angus- Stephanie Dick, Westerton, Cowie, Stirling

Limousin- Drew Hyslop, Boquhan Home Farm, Kippen

 

SHOW & SALE PROGRAMME

Friday 3 May

5 pm – Yard opens

 

Saturday 4 May

3 pm – Inspection of Charolais bulls

 

Sunday 5 May

8.30 am – Inspection of Simmental bulls followed by Maine Anjou bull

9.30 am – Inspection of Aberdeen-Angus bulls

10.30 am -Show of Charolais bulls

12 noon – Show of Simmental bulls followed by parade of Maine Anjou bull

12 noon – Inspection of Salers bulls followed by Beef Shorthorn, Highland & Hereford bulls

1.30 pm – Show of Salers bulls followed by parade of Highland & Hereford bulls

2 pm – Inspection of Limousin bulls

2.15 pm – Show of Beef Shorthorn bulls

3 pm – Show of Aberdeen-Angus bulls.

 

Monday 6 May

9 am – Show of Limousin bulls

10.30 am – Sale of Charolais bulls (48)

11.45 am – Sale of Simmental bulls (42), followed by Maine Anjou (1), Limousin (68 & 6 females), Salers (11), Beef Shorthorn (15), Highland (3 & 1 female), Hereford (1) & Aberdeen-Angus (45 & 1 female).

 

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.

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