Optimism is high for the upcoming National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales & Border Main Ram Sale.

Scheduled for September 23 at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, the sale will feature 3,300 quality sheep from across the UK.

Chairman Geoff Probert is hopeful for a successful event, mirroring the recent Early Sale.

This sale saw record clearance and a steady stream of high prices and averages.

Mr Probert said: "Vendors and buyers were very happy with the Early Sale.

"The interest with the sale being held at its new location of Brecon Auction Market for the first time helped to add to a real buzz around the sale.

"So everyone is now looking forward to the Main Sale at Builth."

Mr Probert added: "Fat lamb prices are firm and cull ewe prices are trade buoyant.

"The sheep trade is really good at the moment, so we’re looking forward to a great sale and wide choice of quality sheep."

Mr Probert, a Worcestershire farmer, had the highest priced Charollais at last year’s Main Sale, a shearling ram that sold for 4,000 guineas.

The event saw a turnover of more than £ 2 million, with a top price of 24,000 guineas for a Texel shearling from the Reed family in Haverfordwest.

The high prices were underpinned by steady averages across different breeds, nearly 9 per cent higher than the previous year, and 90 per cent of offered rams were sold.

Sheep at this year’s sale will come from different corners of the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall and the Isle of Man.

Among the contributors are longstanding supporters as well as first-time participants.

All sheep to be sold undergo comprehensive checks before the sale.

A feature of this year's sale is that a vet on duty, Tom Searle, part of the South Wales Farm Vets team, received the RWAS Dr Emrys Evans Award for going above and beyond in his veterinary work.

People can download a sale catalogue at www.nsaramsales.co.uk.