CountryLife
JANUARY 2019
The nose have it… They are regarded as the “cutest” sheep in the world and they are on a farm on the outskirts of Cambridge. Andrew and Leigh-Anne Peake have raised a flock of more than 20 Valais blacknose sheep on their farm after importing them as frozen embryos from the United Kingdom and they are proving a popular tourist attraction. The couple used their own regular “garden variety” sheep as surrogates and when the lambs arrived in late July and early October, it was the first time the couple had seen the breed, which originated in Switzerland, first hand. The venture was a success, achieving 26 healthy lambs from the 34 embryos. “We love it,” Andrew said. “They’re just so cool, and we like sharing them with others.” Tours to the Rose Creek Valais Blacknose Sheep farm can be booked through Destination Cambridge. The farm is a six-minute drive from town and visitors can interact with the sheep in the paddock and even bottle feed them if visiting at the right time – around 3pm. “They’re just so cute and friendly and nice to be around,” Leigh-Anne said. “They’re so much cooler than our other sheep.” The sheep’s soft wool is regarded as the finest wet felting wool in the world and the Cambridge Creative Fibre group has already shown interest in using it for their creations. Leigh-Anne is also working on a few items herself. As it contains very low amounts of lanolin, the wools is not greasy like other types of wool. The embryos came from five bloodlines and the Peakes plan to continue a breeding programme on their farm. The rams have already been separated from the ewes in preparation for the next mating season March. Some of the lambs have been purchased by the Agrodome in Rotorua and some sold as pets and building for the next arrivals. For details on how to see the sheep, contact the Cambridge i-SITE to book a tour.
A Cambridge News special publication.
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