The annual autumn bull sales at Stirling’s United Auctions Mart took place earlier this week. Since joining traditional and continental breeds together for the autumn sales two years ago, it always leads to a packed shed. This year was no different with nearly 800 cattle entered across eight breeds.

Despite the big numbers of both bulls and females present, trade across the breeds can be classed as exceptional. Nearly all breeds witnessed a 70-80% clearance with average generally up on the year.

While EBVs played some part in purchasing decisions, buyers were looking more at the functionality of bulls and whether they had been semen tested. Commercial as well as pedigree buyers were out in force, with commercial farmers willing to pay up to 15,000gns for the right bull.

The Angus breed was the first through the ring and saw a record entry of over 270 animals. This was largely down to the inclusion of two dispersal sales, namely the Moncur and Schivas.

These sales saw a top price of 22,000gns for the April 2017-heifer Moncur Laura. The bull side matched the females, with the second prize winner Linton Gilbertines Powerhouse also hitting the 22,000gns price tag.

Overall Angus bulls witnessed an 80% clearance, with averages up £674 on the year to settle at £5,737.

The Shorthorn breed was the only breed to witness a reduction in average, down £634 on the record breaking sale last year.

Charolais bulls proved to be the most popular with 74% of the bulls forward finding new homes to average just shy of £7,000. This was up £798 on the year helped greatly by a massive 40,000gns bid for Maerdy Newman.

Finally a big entry of Simmental bulls topped at 16,000gns with averages up nearly £500 to settle at £6,187.