Kelso Ram Sales return at Springwood Park on September 12

After a record average in 2024, 3,952 of the country’s finest rams are heading for Kelso from across the UK, an increase of five per cent year on year.

Dan Withall, Border Union executive director, said: "Despite the concerns with the Bluetongue virus and restrictions zones in place in England we continue to see consigners determined to offer the best of their rams to the sale.

"We look forward to seeing the cream of the UK’s tups from as far afield as Devon, Wales, Cumbria, Northumberland and Northern Ireland; complimented by Scottish stock from Orkney, Islay, Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire and good numbers from the Scottish Borders."

The sale offers 16 breeds spread across 15 covered sale rings, including 419 Bluefaced Leicesters, over 1,000 Suffolks and 1,388 Texels. The sale now includes some rarer breeds such as the Hampshire and Oxford and Hampshire Downs and for the first time Easycare tups.

The sale starts at 10am, with the traditional ringing of the Kelso Ram Sales bell.

The famous bell has been ringing out the start of the Kelso Ram Sales for decades and is traditionally the task of the Border Union Agricultural Society Secretary.

In more recent times this honour has been extended to include those foremost breeders, champions and stalwarts of the sheep industry in the Borders.

This year Laurence Laing of the Oxmuir Flock will ring in the sale at precisely 10am. The Oxmuir Suffolk flock was established in 1935 by James Laing, Laurence's grandfather purchasing a ewe from T. Laing of Harrietfield, Kelso.

Records exist of the family showing at The Border Union Show as early as 1936 and trading at the Kelso Ram Sales going back to 1937. Laurence’s father Robert took over in the 1940s having many successful years showing and breeding champion sheep.

The flock trading under RG Laing and Sons has continued to thrive with Laurence and his wife Sheila and now Laurence’s son Douglas and wife Vicky. Douglas successfully shows Oxmuir Suffolks at agricultural shows across Scotland and Northern England.

Vicky said: “For the Laings Suffolk sheep are a family affair, with Laurence’s grandchildren 'helping' out in the lambing shed and joining Laurence in the ring at Kelso Ram Sales since they could walk. The Oxmuir Suffolk flock is the oldest pedigree Suffolk flock in Scotland, 90 years and still going strong.”

Internationally recognized as the largest sale of rams in the world, Kelso Ram Sales, conducted by the Border Union Agricultural Society, began in 1838 when 120 rams were offered for sale auction at The Knowes in Kelso, fetching an average of three to six pounds.

The top selling price for a shearling in 2024 at £35,000 was realized with a fine example of the popular Texel breed from the firm of Gray at Sunnycroft, Ettrick.

David Neill, chairman of the Border Union Ram Sales Committee, said: “ The Kelso Ram Sales, despite challenges in the industry, continues to deliver the best of stock, well deserving of its reputation as the premier sale of rams in the country. 2025 entries are up and we are encouraged see the names on this year’s ballot of the UK’s most renowned and reliable breeders. We look forward to a confident sale with a high average.”