Top Kattata Well ram bound for new stud in WA

The Hull family from Kattata Well stud had one of its best sales on record at Port Kenny on Tuesday, achieving a near clearance and much improved average on its 2025 sale.

Of the 170 rams offered in the on-property auction, 169 sold under the hammer, for an overall average of $1985.

The 140 White Suffolks offered and sold to $4200, averaging $2050, while 29 Ultra Whites sold to the sale top of $5000, averaging $1672.

Quality Livestock auctioneer Cam Petricevich said while the sale was one of the first in the meat sheep breeds, it was in line with expectations for the selling season.

"It's a really good result and it shows the hard work the boys have put in," he said.

"We had about 50 bidders in the shed, plus plenty of action through Auctions Plus.

"On that top sheep I think there were bidders from NSW, WA and SA and a few from each.

"Bidding was pretty hot throughout the sale."

The $5000 Ultra White at lot 143 was purchased by grandfather and granddaughter duo John Hull and Sophie Gilmore, Owilla Ultra White Stud, via Esperance, WA.

The ram is the first stud purchase for the pair, who have yet to buy any ewes for it to go over.

Sired by Andern 231077, the ram weighed 121 kilograms, and had Lambplan Australian Sheep Breeding Values of 0 for birthweight, 6.8 weaning weight, 10.7 post-weaning weight, post-weaning fat depth of 0.7 and post-weaning eye muscle depth of 1.

It also had a Terminal Carcase Production index of 135.

John Hull said he had previously been running cattle on a portion of his property, but decided it was time to turn to sheep for the first time in 20 years.

"Sophie's mad on animals," he said.

"She breeds chooks as well and we decided we'd give stud sheep breeding a go.

"The ram looked like he was a pretty good start for us. He's been used by the boys as a lamb, so they thought a bit of him."

The pair also picked up lot 149 for $3200. Its Lambplan ASBVs were -0.1BWT, 8.5WWT, 12.5PWWT, 1Pfat, 2.1PEMD and 140TCP.

"He'll be a commercial sire," John said.

"The next job is to buy some ewes in."

In the White Suffolks, lot 14 made the $4200 top, bought by last year's top price Ultra White buyer Michael Mills, Parndana.

Sired by Kurralea 230015, the ram weighed 119kg, with figures of 0.6BWT, 13WWT, 20.9PWWT, -0.1Pfat, 0.7PEMD and 143TCP.

"We are a shedding flock here but we're having a bit of a muck around trying to breed some terminal semi-shedding rams," Mr Mills said.

"We chased him because of his real bare points and bare belly.

"He's got high growth and high eye muscle as well.

"He'll go over some shedding ewes and see what progeny he spits out basically."

While it was only his second year purchasing from Kattata Well, Mr Mills said signs were promising from his rams.

"We've marked some lambs out of last year's sires a week or two ago, so it's early days, but the first signs were promising," he said.

"We'll probably keep with the Aussie White ewes and get a terminal going over the top of them."

Mr Mills picked up a further two White Suffolk rams and two Ultra Whites.

We're always chasing growth and we've picked up sires to improve EMD and that's coming through.

Kattata Well stud principals Leroy and Rohan Hull were lost for words at the end of the auction, but said they were pleased with the result after a tough few years in the industry.

"Like everyone, we've had to get through a tough few seasons, so our lambing was lower than usual, which meant we put basically every ram we had in the sale," Rohan Hull said.

"We sold everything we had or thereabouts, so we're grateful for the amazing support, but sorry to those who missed out this year.

"This year everyone's having a great season and we've got plenty of ram lambs on the ground for next year."

Leroy Hull said the stud had focused on growth, EMD and stretch with the breeding paying off.

"I think our sheep really speak for themselves," he said.

"We're always chasing growth and we've picked up sires to improve EMD and that's coming through."

The pair also auctioned off lot 45 for the Cancer Council in honour of their mate Brenton Joyce.

The 118kg White Suffolk ram raised $2400 for the cause and was sold to Windjara Ag, Spalding.

Eyre Peninsula Livestock agent Scott Masters said while he expected the sale to be up on last year, he was blown away with the result.

"A fair few new buyers were here today and lots of regulars," he said.

"The figures the boys have are just a big draw card.

"They're putting the effort and investing in their sheep and it's paying off."