The Suffolk Sheep Society is to sponsor breed class prizes at the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales this year. It's a first and the Society is offering some very generous prizes, with a total prize fund of £500 for the four classes. The classes will be open to members of the Suffolk Sheep Society.

The Maedi Visna Section will be judged by renowned judge Richard Bulmer, of Malton, North Yorkshire. It will comprise a class for Individual Ram Lambs, to be held on the Sunday evening at 5pm, and offers a first prize of £100. Class 2 for the Best Pen of Shearlings or Ram Lambs (minimum of five) will be judged on Monday 19 September at 9am and will carry a £75 prize for the winner, with £25 for the Reserve. All ram lambs and shearlings must be eligible for registration with the Suffolk Sheep Society.

The Non MV Section will be judged by Suffolk breeder and Smithfield champion winner Frank Gwilliam on Monday 19 September from 9am. Class 3 will offer a winner's prize of £75 and Reserve of £25 for the best pen of up to 20 Shearlings. Class 4 will offer a £75 prize to the winner of the best pen of 21 or more Shearlings and a Reserve of £25.

NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales chairman George Hughes said he was delighted that the western area of the Suffolk Sheep Society was showing such marvellous support for the sale. The breed has always been such a vital part of the UK sheep industry.

The NSA Wales and Border Main Ram Sale will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, on Monday, September 19. It's Europe's biggest ram sale and has attracted 8,403 entries this year which is up 253 on last year.

Sale and Show sponsors also include the two ear tag companies Symtag and Ketchum and also, for the first time, Dectomax.