Fantastic trade for quality stock at Stirling Bull Sales
© United Auctions Strong demand from buyers for high-quality bulls led to a tremendous trade at the Stirling Bull Sales on 3 and 4 May, with exceptional prices paid for both pedigree and commercial stock.
A recent drop in finished beef prices didn’t seem to knock buyer confidence or affect trade, with a total of 131 bulls going under the hammer and achieving strong prices across the breeds.
A top price of 17,000gns was paid for Burnbank Vermont, a Limousin bull from D&L Graham, Stirling.
See also: Tight margins for UK beef sector as cattle prices decline
Overall, 36 Limousin bulls sold to an average of £9,494 a head.
Aberdeen Angus bulls achieved a clearance rate of 71%, with 25 bulls selling to an average of £7,237 each.
Brailes Black Boy A360 from Brailes Livestock achieved the top price in the Aberdeen Angus category at 15,000gns.
John Roberts, executive chairman at United Auctions, said: “The May sale always has its own character and this year it really delivered, with strong prices in both rings.
The numbers
- £9,494 Limousin bull average at Stirling
- £7,237 Aberdeen Angus bull average at Stirling
- 620.9p/kg GB deadweight steers average in early May
“To break a centre record in the commercial sale and see averages of close to £10,000 in three separate breeds at what is traditionally the quieter fixture in the bull sales is a real statement of intent from buyers and reflects the quality of stock that vendors are bringing to Stirling.”
Simmental bulls recorded the second-highest average at £9,758 a head with 28 sold, while 24 Charolais bulls sold to an average of £8,571.
Beef Shorthorn averaged £8,355 a head and Hereford bulls averaged £4,200.
Meanwhile, at Borderway Mart in Carlisle on 3 May, a total of 76 Limousin bulls sold to an average of £10,040 each, up £1,826 on year-earlier levels.
British Limousin Cattle Society chief executive Paul Rainey said: “I was delighted with the exceptional trade.
“Limousin bred cattle continue to dominate commercial trade in markets throughout the UK and the confidence in Limousin genetics from both commercial and pedigree breeders alike remains high.”
Falling finished beef prices
Beef producers are becoming increasingly nervous about the falling finished beef values, with deadweight prices slipping back for the fourth consecutive week.
GB deadweight steers dropped to 620.9p/kg for the week ending 2 May, down by 7.2p/kg on the week.
HCC analysts say current levels are almost 72p/kg behind year-earlier levels but remain firmly above the longer term five-year average by some £1.25/kg.
NFU Scotland livestock chair, Hugh Fraser, said: “Coming into 2026, finished prices were strong, however recently producers have seen a significant decline, with some reports as low as 610p/kg for R4L steers, leaving many finishers in an uncertain time.
“With cattle numbers still in decline and supply continuing to tighten, it hasn’t prevented the finished prices dropping.”
He added: “Severe price fluctuations make it hard to run a business, and we need transparency, consistency and a fair return on the product to maintain confidence and production.”
