Posted on: 2nd October, 2025
The cycle never stops. No sooner have we sold this year’s ewe lambs are we thinking about next year’s replacements and the all-important tups to sire the flock.
As a wise farmer once told me, “A tup is half your flock”, so it’s a decision worth time and consideration.
Whether you’re new to sheep farming, or a seasoned professional, here’s our 10 Tup Tips (now that’s a tongue twister!) for the sale season ahead.
With over 100 livestock markets dotted across England and Wales, there are plenty of sales to pick from.
Buying in the market, rather than online or direct farm-to-farm, gives you the advantage. It provides you with a breadth of choice to find the perfect stock to meet your needs, budget and farming system. Plus, our auction marts are packed full of leading genetics to ensure your flock thrives.
If you’re after commercial types, those continental and native breeds proven to sire a prime butchers lamb, you’ll find most markets hosting frequent sales this time of year.
Looking for something more specific? You’ll find most markets have a specialism or two, sales of tups often rooted in the history of the geographical area, from renowned breeders with generations of genetics behind them.
For those seeking pedigree lineage, you’ll find many markets hosting dedicated breed society sales showcasing the best of British to boost your flock.
Use our handy “locate a mart” tool to find your nearest sale.
Whilst no one revelled the thought of homework in school, making preparations prior to sale will ensure you make the best decision for your flock.
Consider your requirements on farm so you can buy with purpose.
Speak to the auctioneer at the prospective sale. If you’ve not been to the market before, introduce yourself and register your intentions to buy.
It’s worth knowing your limits. It’s a business decision after all.
As my father would say, “bidder-itus” can soon set in in the thrill of the moment as the price rockets passed your limits, so setting your budget beforehand will help you to know when to quit.
It’s about doing the math, calculating what you can afford to spend, based on the output you can predict.
But it’s also about knowing market trends and a tup’s value to understand what you should pay. You’ll learn that around the sale ring or by speaking to auctioneers, but if you need that information quickly and on the go, you’ll find it all in one place, on our Market Prices platform.
With over 60 pure breeds in the UK, and nearer 90 when you consider the crossbreeds too*, how do you choose the one that’s right for you?
Start by considering the end product and the production system in which you are working.
Harsher conditions may require a hardier sheep. Prime lamb finishers may require a breed known for its confirmation or weight gain. Whereas breeding stock producers may seek out a breed to make the perfect cross for a highly productive hybrid breeding ewe.
You might have bought the same breed for decades, but is it worth considering something new?
You’ll find the pre-sale catalogue a great place to start, listing the vendors scheduled to show at the sale, their stock and often the genetic history of the livestock for sale.
Or perhaps you’ve been following a breeder throughout the show and sale season, and their stock has caught your eye. For further insights you can refer to your breed societies flock book (where applicable) for detailed breakdowns and stats.
But once you’re in the market, viewing stock in the pens, don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with the seller. Ask questions, show interest and gather the information you need to make your decision.
Buying in quality genetics ensures quality stock throughout your flock.
Buying a Shearling tup is often the most popular choice. It’s fully grown, in the prime of its life, and you would hope it’s had chance to be tried as a lamb and prove its worth.
Buying a lamb however might reduce the amount you have to spend. You’re buying youth, with some growing to do, and many years of breeding ahead. But its worth weighing up the risk of an untested lamb, likely with less capacity to tup compared to a shearling or aged ram.
Whilst there tends to be significantly less on the market, or certainly until later in the season, an aged ram can be a perfect fit if you’re looking for a seasoned professional to get the job done, but consider its remaining productive life.
A good health status is crucial to the future of your flock. You need the tup to be fit to undertake its task and free from disease.
Some sellers may have their tup’s semen tested by veterinary professionals, providing certification at time of sale. This gives you the assurance that the tup is fertile, minimising the risk of geld ewes, especially important on tups yet to be put to work.
The current BTV-3 Bluetongue disease outbreak may move you to protecting the health of your tup through vaccination, or you may require it to meet cross border movement regulations.
Or perhaps you’re in an accredited health scheme and need to ensure your purchase aligns with scheme requirements.
A sale catalogue, conversation with the seller or announcements at the time of sale will make a tups health status clear.
The market gives you the opportunity to physically inspect your prospective purchases. Be respectful, but don’t be shy.
You want to ensure your tup is in good health, with sound feet, correct teeth, firm testicles and good confirmation. A simple hands-on analysis or visual overview is all you need.
Now’s the time to get serious. You’ve examined the stock for sale, but now you must narrow down your options to the serious contenders.
Ideally you want 2 to 3 options as you head into the sale ring and you might have to hedge your bets if your favourite is coming in the ring last.
Keep an eye on the trade and you’ll get an idea of what you might have to pay.
Now’s the moment. Find your position around the sale ring. Make sure you’re in the auctioneer’s sightlines and place your bid, whatever your style, from a glance at the auctioneer to a raise of a finger, or a wave of a catalogue.
Stay focused and stay in the race. Watch until the hammer goes down, announcing your name as the successful bid.
Not able to make it in person? Many markets also offer online bidding to make your purchase from afar or on the move.
Want to see for yourself? We’ll see you around the live auction ring.
Author: Zanna Dennis
Sources: *National Sheep Association (2025) Directory of Sheep Breeds. Available at: https://nationalsheep.org.uk/for-the-public/culture/sheep-breeds/