THE forthcoming Border Union Kelso Ram Sales will see the UK’s foremost livestock trading company Harrison & Hetherington selling 45% of the total number of tups in the 2023 ballot.
Across their seven rings the H&H’s team of auctioneers will see a total of 1946 tups go under their hammers on Friday 8th September at the Border Union Showground, Kelso.
Dating back to 1838, Kelso Ram Sales will see a total number of 4,281 rams being sold across the 20 different breeds represented. A full list of all entries can be viewed in advance on the Border Union Kelso Ram Sales web site.
READ MORE: Women's football to kick off new season at Netherdale next month
H&H will be selling on behalf of sheep breeders from across the UK, 794 Suffolk, an increase of more than 100 on last year, 233 Texel, 57 Border Leicester, 84 Lleyn, 323 Cross-Bred, 316 Beltex and 57 North Country Cheviots. Other breeds being represented by H&H include Berrichon, Hampshire Downs and Blue Texel.
Speaking ahead of this year’s sale, Tom Story, Senior Auctioneer at Harrison & Hetherington’s St Boswells Mart in the Scottish Borders said: “This is one of the most noted and prestigious ram sales in the UK. Along with seeing a surge in the number of Suffolk tups to be sold we have several new consigners who have come forward to sell for the first time including some from as far away as Ireland, Orkney, and Yorkshire.
“The weather, a very good early growing season, and plentiful recent rains have definitely worked to the advantage of our sheep breeders, so we expect to see some tremendous quality stock.
READ MORE: Diversions in place for planned closure to Borders road
“The increase in Suffolk numbers, I believe, can be directly attributed to the fact that more and more sheep breeders are recognising the commercial benefits and traits of the Suffolk as a terminal sire as heavier lambs in recent years are selling to a premium through the live auction ring.
“There is confidence in the sheep industry at present and early breeding sheep sales have seen good numbers. The lamb trade is good, if not slightly better than last year, and there is certainly more grass in the south of the country this year compared to last year. So hopefully this bodes well for Kelso and will reflect and transfer through to the rings and we will see good prices and clearance being achieved.”
READ MORE: Duns firefighters called out seven times over weekend
Kelso Ram Sales is one of the most important sheep industry events in the UK and a phenomenal showcase of some of the finest rams to be seen in the country. It is also one of Harrison & Hetherington’s most important annual sale fixtures.
In the sheep farming calendar, the Border Union Kelso Ram Sales is a very important sale, attracting vendors and purchasers from across the UK and Ireland to choose their rams for the forthcoming breeding season. In addition, it is also a major industry event, a social occasion, which brings with it huge economic benefits to the Scottish Borders.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here