“We’re in the kisses and cuddles game.”
It’s not the way you’d expect a farmer to describe their livestock operation, but not every operation is built around what is often called the “world’s cutest sheep”.
Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Jimboomba region of Queensland, Ray Norris and Rachael Moon’s Valais blacknose sheep farm is capturing the hearts of animal lovers across Australia.
“You meet them, and you’ll fall in love,”
Ray said.
Ray Norris and Rachael Moon are among a handful of Queenslanders breeding Valais blacknose sheep. (ABC Rural: Brandon Long)
Originating in the icy Swiss Alps, Valais blacknose sheep are renowned for their fluffy white coats, dark faces, spiral horns and dog-like personalities.
The rare breed first arrived in Australia via Victoria in 2020, and have since spread to Tasmania, South Australia, and New South Wales.
Ray and Rachael are among only a handful of breeders in Queensland sharing these enchanting creatures with the public.
“It’s really humbling if we get to share the love,” Ray said.
Love at first sight
For the husband-and-wife team, who had previously focused on merino and dorper sheep, it all started with a simple scroll through social media.
An image of a Valais stood out.
“Rachael said, ‘They’re beautiful, aren’t they?’ Ray recalled.
It was love at first sight.
That moment set the stage for a 3,500-kilometre round trip to Victoria, where they brought home Rosie and Adam.
Two years later, their flock has grown to 60, and their social media following has expanded just as rapidly.
Now, the couple sells the sheep as pets, and showcases them at petting zoos and events where people can interact with the friendly flock.
While Valais blacknose sheep have historically been raised for their wool and meat, Ray and Rachael view them as more than just livestock.
The sheep’s affectionate nature has made them perfect companions.
The couple’s sheep often follow them around and give them cuddles. (ABC Rural: Brandon Long)
Long road to Australia
Bringing the Valais blacknose sheep to Australia was no easy feat.
Since 1952, Australia has banned the importation of live sheep from all countries except New Zealand.
With Switzerland’s export restrictions, breeders turned to the UK, where embryos and semen were first imported into Australia in 2020 by Victorian farmers Belinda Cardinal and Tony Urek.
Belinda Cardinal and Tony Urek were the first to successfully import Valais blacknose embryos into Australia. (Landline: Tim Lee)
Due to their rarity and the high establishment costs, quality breeding sheep once fetched upwards of $25,000, but today, non-breeding pets are available for as little as $500.
Despite the seemingly high prices for breeding stock, Belinda, who is also president of breed society, Valais Blacknose Australia Ltd, is seeing a strong increase in interest.
“We have a wide base of genetics in Australia now and there is also interest internationally for our Australian genetics,” she said.
“We think the future is very bright.”
She said the community was thriving, with nearly 50 members, and an active Australian Facebook group of more than 5,000 followers.
In need of a good ‘baa-ber’
Heading to Queensland’s warmer climate, Ray and Rachael’s sheep have had to make at least one change — regular haircuts!
“We shear twice or sometimes three times a year depending on the weather just to keep them comfortable,” Rachael said.
The wool is sent to local hand-spinning groups, where it’s made into coats and rugs.
“We also give them plenty of shade and fresh water and we find that they’re doing really well.”
Rachael, a vet by profession, has advice for any potential owners.
“They go a bit crazy in the afternoons and run around and prance and dance,”
she said.
“They definitely need a few acres to be sheep-slash-dogs.”
Step aside, alpacas
Ray reckons their sheep are friendlier than another popular, and some say, cute farm animal.
“I don’t want to start any alpaca wars, but … they kick, bite and spit. Our sheep don’t do that,” he laughed.
Looking to the future, the farmers dream of building a shed where visitors can witness lambs being born.
Because if there’s one thing cuter than a Valais, it’s a Valais lamb.
Feature breed
In a major coup for the breed, Belinda announced this week the Valais blacknose would be the feature sheep breed at the Melbourne Royal Show this September.
“We are really excited and proud of the announcement,” she said.
“Internationally recognised as the cutest breed of sheep in the world … people just cannot help but love them.”
