Breeding decisions are ALWAYS a matter of breeding UP!

All of our recipient ewes adore and care for their purebred Valais lambs. How they love their babies!

Breeding season is fast approaching and so is inevitably the decisions of which ram to breed to which ewe. The longer I am breeding Valais Blacknose sheep, the more convinced I become of a few important facts.

1. You are ALWAYS breeding up – this is true in a “true” breed up program, as well as when breeding purebred sheep to purebred sheep. You will always try to improve on the characteristics you breed for! Size, markings, wool and coverage, straight legs, straight back, correct horn sets and the list goes on. The truth is that there are many sheep that are not perfect even among purebred Valais Sheep, but that doesn’t make them bad animals. 
2. There are no guarantees. Ever. It is however generally true that if you breed two quality animals you are more likely to produce a quality offspring.
3. Good genetics are important. As are solid conformations. Last year I had the pleasure of listening to the Swedish judge Marita Tauni when she spoke about the Valais she was looking at. One comment stuck out – she referred to a ram who’s markings were not perfect but he was beautifully put together and she stated that this ram definitely had a place, especially in a breed up program You chose according to what you lack or want to compliment in the ewe you are breeding to.
4. Genetic diversity. Within the Valais Blacknose Sheep worldwide, the gene pool is small and, looking at pedigrees, there has been and still is a lot of line breeding. I believe it’s imperative to keep adding good, sound, purebred animals into our gene pool for the good of the breed no matter what country they come from. When I started breeding there was talk that “Pure Swiss” genetics were better than those coming from other countries. For me that is as illogical as choosing a Labrador Retriever that ONLY has direct ancestors bred in the Labrador Islands. It makes me happy, for instance, to see genetics being offered from Sweden enter our breeding pool here in the US to compliment those from the Netherlands, the UK and New Zealand. Hopefully other countries will reach us as well. The Valais breed is Swiss, but the sheep are now Dutch, Swedish, English, New Zealand and soon US bred!!!

There really are many other factors to consider, but what I wish for anyone breeding these wonderful sheep is that you enjoy the process and each individual sheep. Enjoy the challenges and learn from the setbacks, love your sheep, and hang in there, because it is a journey and perfection is the ultimate destination!

They joy of happy healthy little Valais Blacknose Lambs!