Europe’s largest single-day ram sale features 4,307 animals across 17 breeds.
More than £5 million is expected to change hands at Europe’s largest single-day ram sale, the Kelso Ram Sales, taking place in the Scottish Borders on Friday (11 September). A total of 4,307 rams representing 17 breeds are due to go under the hammer across 14 covered sale rings at Springwood Park in Kelso.
Entries for the 2026 Kelso Ram Sales are 9% higher than last year, despite bluetongue controls creating additional logistical challenges for some breeders.
The annual event, organised by the Border Union Agricultural Society, attracts breeders and buyers from across the UK and is an important date in the sheep-farming calendar. The society has nearly 200 years of experience in running the multiple-breed sale, which uses several auction houses to process more than 4,000 animals in one day, aided by a dedicated “Tup Taxi” service.
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This year’s event follows the introduction of a bluetongue restricted zone across south-west Scotland, which came into force on Thursday (10 September). This new zone replaced a temporary control zone established after the disease was detected in Dumfries and Galloway.
Cattle, sheep, and other susceptible animals being moved from the restricted area to the rest of Scotland now require a licence. The Border Union Agricultural Society has published guidance for breeders attending the sale, including an Animal and Plant Health Agency licensing document and a movement flowchart explaining the bluetongue requirements. Organisers have also urged livestock keepers to check the latest Scottish Government advice before transporting animals, noting that any animal showing clinical signs of bluetongue must not be moved within or out of the restricted zone.
Bluetongue serotype 3, known as BTV-3, was first detected in Scottish livestock at a site in Creetown on 8 August. The disease is spread primarily through infected biting midges and can affect sheep, cattle, goats, deer, and other ruminants. While it does not affect people or food safety, it can cause serious illness and high mortality rates in sheep, as well as fertility problems and reduced milk production in cattle. Symptoms can include nasal discharge, redness and swelling around the lips, nose and muzzle, lameness, reluctance to stand, and diarrhoea. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
