THE National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales & Border Early Ram Sale, typically held on the first Monday in August is to move to Brecon Livestock Market next year, in a move that will save costs for the sale.

The NSA Wales & Border committee says that sales are in good shape but that the move will help it gear up for a stronger future. The main NSA Ram Sale held each September will remain at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells.

NSA Wales & Border Vice Chairman Geoff Probert, says the move to Brecon marks a brand new chapter for the Early Sale and reflects the positive outlook for its long term future.

Brecon has a modern purpose built market with covered sheep pens and is an out-of-town location off a roundabout on the A40 trunk road. It is a spacious site with plenty of room to park.

Mr Probert comments: “The committee feels this is the best option to maintain the Early Ram Sale in its usual format. Brecon Market is a good facility. We’ll still be able to operate two rings and feel it’s the best move we can make. It means we’ll be able to maintain the two sales going forward, with a positive cash flow.

“We’ll be able to maintain the standards both vendors and buyers expect from an NSA Ram Sale and improve on them.

“It’s a positive step. In addition, we are moving things forward with sponsorship and it is hoped entries for both sales will be able to be built on.”

The NSA Wales & Border Main Sale attracted more than 3,500 entries and secured a turnover of more than £2million. The sale offered a quality selection of breeding stock suitable for a variety of sheep enterprises both pedigree and commercial.