A first for farming as biggest ram sales in Britain return to the Scottish Borders
Crowds are flocking to the Scottish Borders for the biggest one day ram sales in Britain.
Fife breeder Liz Lang will ring the bell at Springwood Park in Kelso at 10am this morning (Friday) to get the auction underway.
She's understood to be the first woman to be invited to carry out the honour in the event's almost 200 year history.
Daughter of the late Willie McGowan, a regular with his Suffolks at Kelso, Liz continues the rich heritage he began; and was recently presented with a lifetime achievement award at Yorkshire Show.
Almost 4,000 tups from across the country are set to go under the hammer.
The event's estimated to be worth around ÂŁ1.7 million to the local economy.
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David Neill, Chairman of the Border Union Ram Sales Committee, said: "It brings in a tremendous number of people to the town, right from Wednesday through to Saturday. The boost it brings to Kelso is fantastic.
"Some people are as far out as Newcastleton looking for rooms. And it's not just Kelso that will benefit - probably the whole of the Borders.
"The importance of the sale for the industry and the Scottish Borders cannot be underestimated. It’s a bell weather for the market and continues to deliver the best of stock, keeping its reputation as the premier sale of rams in the country."
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A new centre record was set at Kelso Ram Sales in 2021, when a Texel shearling sold at ÂŁ65,000, surpassing the event's previous high of ÂŁ35,000
David added: “Entries, whilst a little back on last year, are of the best quality and from renowned and reliable breeders.
"The Kelso Ram Sales are an important day for the industry and the Scottish Borders. I look forward to a confident sale with a high average.”
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