2019-09-11 |
   |
Quality Sheep Will Sell at NSA Wales & Border Ram Sale
This year’s NSA Wales & Border Main Ram Sale will take place on Monday 23rd September 2019 at the Royal Welsh Showground.
Auctioneers and breed societies prefer the later date. The sale provides buyers with a One Stop Shop, where they can choose from around 4,500 quality, veterinary inspected rams. Organisers are confident of a good sale, despite the current political turmoil.
NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales chairman, Richard Gwilliam, said:
“The sale comes after a difficult winter and in testing times.
“However we have maintained entries. Looking forward, there is more confidence in the sheep trade than we were expecting. Sheep farmers are very professional and always want better sheep. We can provide that quality.
“Getting tups away quickly is always an issue. We have looked at the problems in the past and have increased the number of Tup Taxis by 50%, which will help the time getting away from the sale. It’s now a slick and efficient operation.”
A fleet of Tup Taxis will again be on standby to transport tups to buyers’ vehicles. The system is now an established part of the sale and eases traffic, helping buyers to get away as smoothly as possible.
The highest price at last year’s 40th anniversary sale went to a Blue Faced Leicester ram. The 12,000 guinea sale was the highlight of a day that saw good rams sell well.
Trade was solid with an 80% clearance of the 4,727 rams forward. Turnover was £1.84million, 5% down on the previous year as a result of political and financial difficulties.
The 12,000 guinea ram was sold by Vale of Glamorgan couple, semi-retired Tudor and Janet Harris. The Bonvilston yearling was out of a home bred ewe put to the sire, Cendy.
The highest priced Texel was the breed champion, a Canllefaes yearling at 5,200 guineas. A home bred shearling from Geoff and Bridget Probert’s Mortimer Flock topped the Charollais trade at 4,000 guineas.
The sale is an important economic driver in Mid Wales and attracts vendors from the length and breadth of Britain. It attracts buyers from across the country and from Europe, reflecting the sale’s international reputation.
And as well as being a great place to do business, with numerous trade stands and advisers, buyers and vendors enjoy catching up with one another, often over a great meal provided by Fingers and Forks.
