'I fell in love with sheep': meet the kids crazy about the Valais Blacknose

The Valais Blacknose breed was yet again one of the star attractions at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo at the weekend.

Hundreds of farmers and non-farmers alike stopped along their pens to pet the unusual-looking sheep.

The judging for the breed was carried out on Friday evening as a crowd of eager spectators looked on.

Notably, and like many of the sheep breeds at the ASWS, there were multiple children helping out and exhibiting top Valais Blacknose stock.

Stock & Land caught up with some of those with big plans to expand the breed's footprint in Australia in future.

Evie Waddell, 10, Epridell Farm Valais Blacknose, Ballarat, said her favourite thing about the breed was their unusual appearance.

"I like that they're woolly and they're really cute," she said.

Ms Waddell got her first specimen of the breed four years ago and minded them alongside her parents after school.

She looked forward to getting home every day to hang out with her sheep "friends".

"I like just sitting there and bonding with them," she said.

Ayla Carey, 9, Malakai Valais Blacknose stud, Miners Rest, said the sheep were made for the showring.

"They're really cute and they're really good walkers," she said.

She said the stud's 100-head Valais Blacknose flock ate mainly lucerne hay.

Ms Carey hoped to be a farmer when she was older and had ambitions to keep breeding the sheep in years to come.

Her brother Xavier Carey, 11, said his favourite thing about the Valais Blacknose was how calm they were.

"You can go out in the paddock and just play with them," he said.

Mr Carey said correct markings and a good backline made for a good, show-winning example of the breed.

Harlow Johnston, 15, Wolrah Ridge Valais Blacknose stud, Summerville, had made her start with the sheep two years ago.

At age 13, she set up her own stud and now has six of the breed with hopes to expand to 60 head.

"I fell in love with sheep when I was in year 6 and then decided to have my own stud," she said.

Ms Johnston said she liked how "dog-like" the Valais Blacknose sheep were.

"They're the most docile breed I've come across," she said.

"I've been showing since I was in year 6, since I was 10.

"I definitely want to expand the Valais variety in Australia."

Steph Robinson, 14, Kiah Killibinbin Valais Blacknose and English Leicester stud, Bairnsdale, was working her way towards having pedigree stock.

She had 10 F1 and F2 Valais Blacknose sheep at home and was hoping to get more, although she said they were still "pretty pricey".

Ms Robinson helped other studs exhibit their pedigree sheep at Bendigo and loved the Valais Blacknose's nature.

"I love their calm temperament and their lovely fleece," she said.