“My mum and dad have been farming in the southwest region since they met and married in 1966, with dad from many generations of South West farming stock”.
In 2023, Cath invested in a flock of 120 young ewes and Earl the stud ram and began breeding SheepMaster stud sheep.
Joining a group of likeminded SheepMaster breeders based in the South West in 2023, the first stud rams were sold to farms across Western Australia in 2024.
SheepMaster were chosen due to to their ability to fit into a sustainable farming system. A shedding breed that was created in Western Australia by selecting the best traits from shedding sheep around the world. They are hardy, resilient sheep that require very low inputs, so fit into the overall Oates Ends philosophy of having a light hand.
They lose all of their light covering of wool in summer, so don’t need any shearing and can also keep their tails. Their gregarious and calm nature makes them very easy to manage and they are fabulous mums to their lambs.
Earl has become a bit of a pet around the farm, he loves a handful of lupins and a back scratch.
