The pedigree bull sales are really starting to gain traction. A number of different breeds will see the first of 2019 sales take place in the coming week. The Irish Farmers Journal team will be out in force covering sales both in Ireland and further afield.

Kicking off the week, Dungannon farmers' market is the host for the Aberdeen Angus cattle society Northern Ireland sale this Tuesday. Also held on the day will be the Hereford society’s NI sale. Shane Murphy will be covering these two events, which will see a combined entry of 60 lots.

Closing off the week, the British Limousin cattle society will hold its premier spring sale at Carlisle on Friday and Saturday. This sale has attracted a bumper entry, with 216 bulls and 81 females. Shane Murphy will again be reporting from the event.

Staying on home ground, the Irish Charolais cattle society sees its first sale take place in Tullamore. A total of 111 pre-inspected, DNA-verified bulls will be on offer.

Finally, taking place on 17-19 February is the second round of the Stirling bull sales. Next week will see the Charolais, Simmental and Saler breeds take off from last week’s sale, which topped at 25,000gns. Our pedigree editor Shane Murphy will again be out in force there.