NSA Wales and Border Main Ram Sale 2014

A record number of visitors, a £2million plus turnover, increased averages and some good headline prices were the hallmark of a good day’s trading at the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sale. A Pembrokeshire bred Texel shearling by Caereinion Rocket with power, length and style topped a good sale of quality rams, selling for 6,800 gns.

The event, held at the Royal Welsh Showground on Monday 22nd September, saw some high individual breed prices and averages up on last year. The sale cleared 4,160 rams, with a turnover of £2,123,463.

NSA Chairman John Geldard described it as a wonderful occasion with good business done. Many people had told him they had had a fantastic day.

Executive Director Jane Smith said:”We have seen an excellent day’s trade with the best quality rams selling easily for good prices. Vendors and buyers alike seemed well pleased with the new arrangements for parking.

“We had a record number of visitors to the sale. A good atmosphere prevailed, with the best quality rams meeting a good trade”

The top price shearling was just 18 months old and bred by Andrew Reed, W O J Reed, Upper Scolton Farm, Spittal, Haverfordwest, who took top price in 2011 with an 8,200gns ram. This year, he averaged £1,600 for his 27 rams and was delighted, saying it had been a good year.

The tup was bought by three Lanarkshire neighbours, led by Allan Wight of Midlock Farm, Crawford, to be used with the Midlock, Hartside and Burnhead flocks. Mr Wight said he had spotted the ram at the pre sale show and admired his style.

He added:”I liked his sheer power, size and the length and mobility of the tup. We all sell shearlings at Kelso and thought he would fit the bill for what we were trying to do.”

Another Texel, bred by another consistent top breeder at the NSA Wales & Border ram sales, Cefin Pryce of Yr Helyg, Llanfair Caereinion, made 4,600gns. The yearlng tup was one of ten brought to the sale and averaging around £1,500 and is out of a home bred ram, Caereinion Number One.

A Charollais shearling bred by Meilir Jones of Trelawynd, Ruthin, sold for 3,200gns and was one of a batch of 17 sold, averaging £950. It was bought by Huw Roberts, of Bachynbyd Bach, Rhewl, Ruthin, who admired his power and shape.

A Talybont Welsh Mountain bred by Rob and Llinos Jones of Llandeilo Grabham, Erwood, Builth Wells, sold to Julian Rees of The Fedw, Crickhowell, for 3,000gns. Mr Jones had the top price Welsh Mountain, selling for 5,000gns, in 2011 and said he breeds for good conformation, while maintaining hill characteristics.

Other headline figures included a Blue Face Leicester ram lamb, bred by Aled Jones of Meddiant Isa, Tal y Cafn, Conwy, that sold for 3,000gns. A non mv Suffolk sold for 1,850gns to G Davies and Co, Llanfechan, Garth. It was bred by DT and SM Owens of Luntley Court Farm, Pembridge, Leominster.

A Blue Texel bred by David Alexander of Millside Farm, Galston, Ayrshire, sold for 1,700gns to J. Vickerton and Sons, East Yorkshire.