Bark Hut Sheep Stud Kangaroo Island

Bark hut sheep stud

Introducing Mel and Justin Holman’s New Sheep Stud & Ram Sale Success

We’re thrilled to announce that Mel, in addition to managing the café, has recently purchased her own sheep stud with her husband Justin, marking an exciting new chapter for the Holman family. In October 2023, they took over the Bark Hut Sheep Stud, and in April 2024, they officially purchased it. Their debut Bark Hut ram sale was a tremendous success, with a selection of top-quality White Suffolk and Composite Rams.

Justin and Mel are proud to carry on the Bark Hut legacy and wish all farmers a prosperous season ahead, with plenty of rain and great results at lambing!

461973635 822681333367762 4493762352857640731 n

The Holman family

Bark Hut was founded in 1965 by Terry and Thelma Bennett, Bark Hut Stud began with just 13 Poll Dorset ewes and grew into a respected name in the industry. Over the years, the Bennetts expanded the stud, adding Hampshires in 1993 and White Suffolks in 1996. Their son Andrew and his wife Bec continued the legacy by managing the Hampshire/Composite and White Suffolk lines, on a new property called Stoney Creek while Terry and Thelma remained focused on the Poll Dorsets.

The stud’s annual ram sales have evolved over time, from a combined Parndana British Breeds Sale in the late 90s to individual sales, but the focus has always remained the same: breeding rams with excellent early weight gain, muscle depth, and the ability to produce lambs that thrive in the paddock.

387036323 615669594068938 346241943020553169 n

The Holmans with the Bennetts a new era

 

Why the Name “Bark Hut”?

The name “Bark Hut” originates from the property’s rich history and its picturesque, sheltered location. Situated along the Cygnet River and surrounded by lush gum trees, the farm’s homestead was once nestled among these towering trees, which provided a natural “hut” of bark and foliage. This serene setting, coupled with its history in agriculture and timber, inspired the name that remains synonymous with the farm’s enduring legacy today.

Although the farm is no longer located at Bark Hut, the families have chosen to continue using the name as a tribute to its legacy and history.