Ella Matta three-breed ram sale tops $16,500 at Parndana for a $2896 average
Summary
The Ella Matta stud outdid its 2025 result, described at the time as the South Australian sheep sale of the year, with an extraordinary three-breed ram sale near Parndana on Kangaroo Island on Friday. Grossing more than $1.1 million, the main auctions of White Suffolk, maternal composite and Poll Merino rams returned 402 of 405 rams sold at an overall average of $2896, a $413 step up on 2025 when 340 of 352 sold at $2483.
A leader in performance data, the stud's catalogues were marked throughout with traits in the top 5 per cent across all terminal, maternal and Merino breeds. Stud support was strong in every section, particularly the White Suffolks, where a full clearance of 268 rams topped at $16,500 and averaged $2804. Eleven rams sold to studs at a $9773 average, with the balance of flock rams averaging $2505.
Bidding did not slow on the 80 maternal composites, which cleared fully to $10,500 at a $3153 average. Three sold to studs at a $6433 average and flock rams averaged $2987. A stud reserve Poll Merino entered late into the catalogue topped that section at $6000, with 54 of 57 rams sold averaging $2966, five stud rams averaging $5200 and flock rams $2739.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total rams offered, sold | 405 offered, 402 sold |
| Sale gross | More than $1.1 million |
| Overall average | $2896 |
| Overall average lift | Up $413 |
| White Suffolks sold, top, average | 268 (all) to $16,500 at $2804 |
| Maternal composites sold, top, average | 80 (all) to $10,500 at $3153 |
| Poll Merinos sold, top, average | 54 of 57 to $6000 at $2966 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Ella Matta ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $16,500 for a White Suffolk at lot 17. Across the three breeds, 402 of 405 rams sold for an overall average of $2896. The sale grossed more than $1.1 million.
How did the result compare with 2025?
The overall average was a $413 step up on 2025, when 340 of 352 rams sold at a $2483 average. This year's offering was larger and the clearance higher, at 402 of 405.
What did the White Suffolks make?
All 268 White Suffolks sold for a full clearance, topping at $16,500 and averaging $2804. The average was strengthened by several five-figure stud purchases, with 11 rams selling to studs at a $9773 average. The balance of flock rams averaged $2505.
What did the maternal composites and Poll Merinos make?
All 80 maternal composites cleared to a $10,500 top at a $3153 average, with three stud sales averaging $6433 and flock rams $2987. In the Poll Merinos, 54 of 57 sold to a $6000 top at a $2966 average, with five stud rams averaging $5200 and flock rams $2739.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
Emerging stud Kurra-Wirra Merino and White Suffolks, Harrow, Victoria, paid $16,500 for the July 2025-drop twin-born ram. By an Ella Matta sire, he ranked in the top 5 per cent of all terminal breeds for weaning weight at 13.1, post-weaning weight at 21.3, eye muscle depth at 4.3 and worm egg count at -62. He was top 1 per cent for the Lamb Eating Quality index at 179.8, Terminal Carcase Production at 176.5 and lambing ease at 3.8.
What were the other leading stud purchases?
Lot 1 at $11,500 and lot 5 at $11,000 went to a syndicate of Booloola White Suffolks, Baringhup, Victoria, Bundara Downs, Western Flat, and CWS Prime Lamb Sires, Paradise, Victoria. Lot 22 made $11,000 to Stoney End, Western Australia, and lot 29 $10,500 to Cashmore Oaklea. The maternal composite top of $10,500 went to Paradoo Prime, Coojar, Victoria.
Who were the volume buyers?
TW Salmon Enterprises bought 27 rams at a $2118 average through Nutrien Kingscote, while Mine Creek Partners, Stokes Bay, took 23 across the three breeds at $2478 and a Maitland buyer 23 at $2608. Buck Pastoral took 20 across multiple breeds at $3230 and Langi Willi Pty Ltd, Skipton, Victoria, bought 17 online at $2776.
How wide was the buying spread?
Rams not staying local were destined for mainland South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania. Several interstate studs travelled to the island in person. The stud credited AuctionsPlus with opening the sale up, with 47 White Suffolks sold through the platform, and the agents pointed to confidence in the season and the lamb and sheep market.
