NSA adds additional ram sales amid bluetongue restrictions

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is holding additional ram sales this summer in response to bluetongue regulations in Wales, which restricted animal movements from 1 July.

The decision has been made in the light of Welsh government bluetongue regulations, which require livestock keepers to provide a negative bluetongue certificate for a ruminant animal to be allowed into Wales.

Organised by the NSA Wales & Border ram sale committee, the two early sales will take place at the beginning of August to accommodate buyers and vendors on both sides of the border.

See also: Financial support for bluetongue testing ruled out

The sales are classed as important for early lambing flocks and are traditionally a trailblazer for the tup selling season.

The first sale will be held on Monday 4 August at Brecon Livestock Market and the second at Hereford Livestock Market on Tuesday 5 August.

Organisers say they hope the additional sales will save sheep farmers time and money, though current regulations mean rams attending the Brecon sale from England will be required to be pre-movement tested.

The pre-movement testing for bluetongue in livestock costs an estimated £60 to £70 per animal.

“As an organisation operating in Wales and the Borders it is imperative that we offer the best opportunities for both buyers and sellers to facilitate buying and selling rams while we have these challenges,” said NSA Wales & Border ram sales executive director Jane Smith.

The deadline for entering sheep for sale at either venue has been extended to Friday 18 July and vendors who have already entered sheep from England for the Brecon sale will be offered the opportunity to swap to the Hereford sale.

The sale in Brecon will be conducted by auctioneers McCartneys and Clee Tompkinson, and by Hereford Market Auctioneers in Hereford.

Further information including sale entry details can be found on the NSA Wales & Border ram sale website.