Flockmasters across Wales and the Borders are being urged to act now to vaccinate against Bluetongue virus (BTV) ahead of the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sale, with the deadline fast approaching for those yet to immunise their stock.

The main sale will take place at the Royal Welsh Showground on Monday, September 22, and all sheep must be vaccinated at least 21 days beforehand. With the Bank Holiday weekend narrowing the window, organisers are warning vendors not to wait for any last-minute regulatory updates from the Welsh Government.

Executive Director Jane Smith said: “We are delighted with the entry for Builth and consignors will be relieved that no pre-movement testing will be required from September 21. We will be operating a ‘green market’ requiring all sheep to have been BTV vaccinated.”

Vendors will soon receive paperwork detailing the information needed for the sale, including the vendor’s name, sheep details, vaccine used, date administered, and the contact information of the veterinary practice involved. The forms are designed to streamline compliance and ensure a smooth sale day.

Preparations for the sale are already well underway, with 3,000 quality tups entered. Notably, Suffolks have returned to the MV ring for the first time in several years, entering yearlings and moving to Hall 2 alongside the Texels, promising strong competition and high-quality stock for buyers.