Kelso Ram Sales, a key date in the UK sheep industry calendar, is back by popular demand, and gearing up for a busy day at Border Union Agricultural Society's Springwood Park, on Friday, September 10.

Cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the easing of restrictions and the success of the UK’s vaccine programme, have enabled the event to continue albeit under a safe and Covid-secure environment.

 

Theres also plenty of buzz at the Kelso Ram Sales, where sheep are sold in 15 separate rings Ref:RH130919134 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

There's also plenty of buzz at the Kelso Ram Sales, where sheep are sold in 15 separate rings Ref:RH130919134 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

 

Europe's biggest one-day ram sale, the Kelso Ram Sales date back to 1838, with this year's event boasting an entry of just shy of 4300 sheep from 20 different breeds. Sales will again take place across 15 rings with seven different auction companies, with the main event sponsors this year being Norbrook under their Solental brand.

Texels again lead the entries with some 1584 accredited and non-accredited shearling and ram lambs expected, followed by 787 Suffolks; 606 cross-breds; 540 Bluefaced Leicesters; 262 Beltex; 156 Charollais; 109 Lleyns; 41 Border Leicesters; 40 North Country Cheviots; 31 Blue Texels; 29 Berrichons; 24 Dutch Texels; 18 Hampshire Downs; 12 Charmoise; eight Millennium Bleus; five Vendeens; four Poll Dorsets; four Roussin; three Whitefaced Woodlands and a Dutch Spotted.

 

Plenty of potential buyers and spectators gather at Kelso for the Ram Sales, to see well in excess of 4300 sheep sell through 15 rings at the 2019 event Ref:RH130919138 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

Plenty of potential buyers and spectators gather at Kelso for the Ram Sales, to see well in excess of 4300 sheep sell through 15 rings at the 2019 event Ref:RH130919138 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

 

Tup taxis will again be available, however in contrast to previous years, the 2021 event will be open to the elements due to the difficulties in sourcing marquees during the pandemic. Furthermore, this year's sales will commence at 11am instead of 10am, thereby allowing consignors plenty of time to bring their sheep that morning, should they decide not to leave them overnight in uncovered pens.

This year's sales will also take place under the watchful eye of the Border Union’s new executive director, Dan Withall, who boasts a wealth of high-level experience in crowd management and health and safety as well as a keen interest in sheep farming. His family breed and showed rare breed sheep and he is an executive member of Yetholm Border Shepherd’s Show.

 

One happy customer away on the Tup Taxi to collect their purchase at the 2019 event Ref:RH130919117 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

One happy customer away on the Tup Taxi to collect their purchase at the 2019 event Ref:RH130919117 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

 

"We are delighted to be presenting this sale after the challenges of the last 18 months with all the uncertainty due to the covid pandemic," said Mr Withall.

"Kelso is the heart of the Ram Sale history and proud of the part it has played in its legacy. The sale has a significant economic impact locally and nationally; it is supported by farmers, auctioneers and those with a commercial interest in the industry across the whole country.

"The sales will be held in traditional style and without marquee cover, so we have our fingers crossed for favourable weather. Yet whatever the outcome, we look forward to it immensely and can certainly say that ‘the boys are back in town!’"