Valais Blacknose Sheep in New Zealand

Valais Blacknose embryos were first brought into New Zealand from the UK in early 2017. The first lambs were born here in August 2017. New genetics continue to be sourced from the UK to expand on those available within NZ.

In 2018, the New Zealand Valais Blacknose Sheep Society (the Society), newly registered under the
New Zealand Sheep Breeders Association (NZSBA), was formed. The Society developed a Valais
Breed Standard based on the Swiss and UK standards.

There are now (as of October 2022) approximately 660 purebred Valais Blacknose Sheep registered
with the NZSBA and 126 registered flocks.

As a result of our rapidly growing flock numbers, the Society has a “Purpose, Values and Code of
Conduct” document in place that we expect our Members to abide by.

Valais Blacknose
Valais Blacknose - Photo credit: VBNZ

The Breeding Up Programme

While numbers of pure Valais are still very limited in NZ and prices are high, the Society does allow cross-breeding to build up New Zealand flocks. Records are held in a separate registry with the NZSBA and this registry is referred to as an Appendix register for Valais Blacknose Sheep in NZ.

A foundation ewe is chosen and mated with a pure registered Valais ram and the resulting offspring is referred to as an F1. F1 ewes can then be mated with a Valais ram, resulting in F2 offspring, so on until F5 generation. Whilst there are no restrictions on the foundation ewe chosen, the Society does recommend the use of an all-round white wool sheep with similar frame and size to the Valais, though this is not a requirement.

F2 ewe with her F3 lamb - Lynley Fox
F2 ewe with her F3 lamb - Photo credit: Lynley Fox
Valais Blacknose logo

New Zealand Valais Blacknose Sheep Society (NZVBSS) – Breeding Up Guidelines

Valais Blacknose sheep were introduced into New Zealand in 2017, through imported embryos and semen from the United Kingdom. The term “Pure Bred Registered” Valais will relate only to those animals with direct links back to animals held in the “Grassroots” registry of the United Kingdom or as outlined below.

The NZVBSS does however allow cross-breeding to build up New Zealand flocks, with records held in a separate registry within New Zealand. This registry will be referred to as an Appendix register for Valais Blacknose sheep in New Zealand from F1 to F5.

To be eligible for registration within the Appendix register and subsequent Main register (only F6), flocks must meet the following rules.

Programme requirements

  • You must be a current member of the NZVBSS (affiliated to the NZ Sheep-breeders Association (NZSBA)) to participate in the breeding up program including meeting all fees due under the Society.
  • Foundation ewes may be any wool breed, registered or grade including crossbreds.
  • Only purebred registered Valais Blacknose (VBN) rams or semen from those rams may be used for breeding (either imported or NZ born). Any purebred ram used that is born in 2021 or later, must have a DNA record on file with NZSBA by May 2023.
  • Progeny from crossbred rams are ineligible for inclusion in the Appendix register.
  • The recommendation of the NZVBSS for a foundation ewe is an all-round white wool sheep with similar frame and size to the Valais. However, this is not a requirement.
  • The foundation ewe must be identifiable through an ear tag and will be recorded.

Generation crosses

  • First crosses using foundation ewes and a Purebred Registered ram are referred to as the F1 (generation 1) i.e. 50% Valais Blacknose. Second crosses are the F2 (generation 2) i.e. 75% Valais Blacknose, third crosses F3 (generation 3) i.e. 87.5% Valais Blacknose, fourth crosses F4 (generation 4) i.e. 93.75% Valais Blacknose, fifth cross are F5 (generation 5) i.e. 96.88% Valais Blacknose and sixth cross (after 6 consecutive breeding seasons of the programme) are F6 (generation 6) i.e. 98.43% VBN
  • All progeny must be identifiable through an individual ear tag
  • To be eligible for registration, details of ewe lambs must be provided using the official form available from NZSBA and eligible ewes must be registered with NZSBA within 12 months of their birth.
  • F1 (generation 1), F2 (generation 2), F3 (generation 3), F4 (generation 4) and F5 (generation 5) ewe lambs will be recorded with pedigree and given a NZVBSS registration number. Only 5th generation rams will be registered and registration details are to be provided to NZSBA within 12 months of birth.

NZ Valais Blacknose (NZVBN)

  • To enable registration, five photos (front view: full animal and close up clearly showing horns and identification tag; right side view; left side view; rear view) of all F5 (generation 5) ewes and rams, at 12 months of age, must be provided to NZSBA for file, before submitting an application for registration.
  • Registered F4 ewes will be entered into the Appendix Registry as a “NZ Valais Blacknose (NZVBN)”. Registered F5 rams will be entered into the Appendix Registry as a “NZ Valais Blacknose (NZVBN)”.

Pure Valais Blacknose (VBN)

  • Progeny of eligible F5 “NZ Valais Blacknose (NZVBN)” ewes will be entered in the main purebred register as F6 (sixth cross) as a “Pure Valais Blacknose (VBN)”.

Pedigree Certificates

  • Recorded VBN crossbreds receive a Recording certificate with pedigree and NZVBSS number. Papers are Pink
  • “NZ Valais Blacknose” Register animals receive Registration certificate with pedigree and NZVBSS number. Papers are Blue
  • Registered “Purebred Valais Blacknose” receive Registration certificate with pedigree and NZVBSS number. Papers are White.

New Zealand Valais Blacknose Sheep Society (NZVBSS) – additional criteria

  • Any NZVBSS member selling registered F1, F2, F3, F4 ewes or F5, F6 ewes/rams must provide the purchaser with transfer documentation and pedigree details as part of the sale, or within two months of the sale. The member selling must also provide the transfer documentation to NZSBA within two months of the sale.
  • Any NZVBSS member providing purebred Valais ram mating services must complete the NZSBA lease/certificate of service form following service and provide it at the time of service or within two months following service.
Valais Blacknose NZ Breeding Up Explained

Valais Blacknose featured on Hyundai Country Calendar

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