NSA Early Sale - August 5th
8th May 2019
NSA Wales and Border Ram Sales Chairman, Richard Gwilliam, has appealed to politicians and opinion formers to protect the sheep industry.
He says Brexit and wider political issues around climate change mean that the sector is ‘holding its breath’. However, Mr Gwilliam stresses that confidence in the NSA Wales and Border Ram Sales and currently strong lamb prices augur well for the Early Sale, to take place this year on 5th August at the Royal Welsh showground.
He warns though: “We are holding our breath as an industry to see what is happening with regard to Brexit and our relationship with Europe.
“If we don’t have support, then people who are totally dependent on sheep will be left out in the cold. Those who can influence anyone in authority should do so.
“Our producers are still working to the highest standards and we hope our Governments will acknowledge this.”
The Early Sale is the venue of choice for early lambing flocks wanting the pick of rams ready for tupping, with a choice from 500 across five or six of the major early lambing breeds. The sale traditionally sets the price for top quality, healthy, veterinary inspected rams and is one of the few places to source tups for the early lambing trade.
The online entry form is now a much valued feature of the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales website and the closing date is Wednesday 3rd July. There is also an online catalogue and gallery of pictures.
Last year’s headline price of 2,800 guineas for a Corriecravie Texel shearling was a fitting 65th birthday present for Paul Johnson. He and his wife Anna have been attending the Early Sale for many years and were delighted.
The price was well up on the previous year’s 1750 guinea top price, with an average of £637.29 for Texel shearling rams also up, as was the top Charollais price at 1900 guineas for a ram lamb, with the average for Charollais ram lambs reaching an increased £552.75. A Suffolk ram lamb made 1050 guineas, with breed averages again generally higher than last year.
