'Best I've seen': Supreme Valais Blacknose ram touted best of breed by judge

Alphorn Valais Blacknose stud, Yarra Valley, won the Valais Blacknose supreme exhibit at the Victorian Sheep Show on Sunday.

Judge Peter Baker, and former stud principal of Loddon Park Corriedales, Baringhup, said the ram was "the best Valais Blacknose" he had seen.

The young ram was praised by Mr Baker for a good overall confirmation, his top line and good coverage through his loin.

Alphorn stud principals Kim and Richard Biggins said the growth and progression of the breed over its few short years in Australia had been extremely encouraging.

"The quality of the animals out here today is great," Ms Biggins said.

"It's really encouraging to see and hear from the judge that he feels the breed is improving year after year."

Ms Biggins said the Valais Blacknose breed was slow to mature.

She said the ram, just over one year old, was just starting to fill out and mature in its development.

"This ram has been slower to mature than our other ram who won supreme champion at Sydney Royal," Ms Biggins said.

"We didn't bring him today so it's a lovely opportunity for this ram to shine on his own."

Four Valais Blacknose studs exhibited at Ballarat over the weekend which brought tough competition.

Malakai Valais Blacknose stud, Miners Rest, won the champion ewe broad sash and the female was narrowly beaten by the champion ram from the Alphorn stud for the supreme exhibit.

The Swiss breed is very new to Australia, having arrived in 2021, but it had quickly made a name for itself as "the world's cutest sheep".

While the Australian population is still small, a surge in popularity has seen their numbers grow rapidly over the past four years.

There were now roughly 200 purebred Valais Blacknose sheep registered with the breed society, and around 50 registered breeders.