Davis Family Livestock, nestled in the Front Range of Northern Colorado is not just a family-operated farm but also a testament to agricultural versatility and heritage appeal.
On their 35-acre property, they raise cattle, horses, alpacas, llamas, and various breeds of sheep, including the captivating Valais Blacknose—dubbed “The Cutest Sheep in the World.”
The Valais Blacknose, a rugged Swiss heritage breed originating in the Valais region of the Swiss Alps, stands out for its striking appearance and gentle demeanor. With their thick curly white coats accented by black markings on the nose, ears, knees, and feet, these sheep are as functional as they are charming.
Mature ewes and rams weigh between 150-275 pounds and are easily trained to lead, making them ideal pasture pets and 4-H projects for kids. Their calm, friendly nature and unique fluffy look have fueled their growing popularity.
Beyond their appeal as pets, the Valais Blacknose offers exceptional fiber that is suited for hand spinning, felting, weaving, and crafting outerwear or rugs. This versatility underscores their value to artisans and producers alike.
Raising Valais Blacknose sheep provides farmers with multiple revenue streams. The high-quality wool can be sold to artisans and crafters, bringing in premium prices due to its desirability.
Additionally, the breed’s popularity as pasture pets allows farmers to sell lambs at a higher price, catering to hobby farmers and enthusiasts seeking unique livestock.
As a rare breed with only about 20,000 animals worldwide, the Valais Blacknose can’t be imported live into the United States. However, Davis Family Livestock is at the forefront of a breed-up program, utilizing imported purebred semen and embryos to establish this iconic breed in America.
Their efforts highlight not only the farm’s commitment to preserving heritage breeds but also their mission to promote high-quality products while honoring their faith and community.
Through their work with the Valais Blacknose and other livestock – specifically Scottish Blackface, and Rambouillet sheep, Davis Family Livestock exemplifies the harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, and the enduring charm of heritage farming.
Visit www.davisfamilylivestock.com to learn more.
With the first purebred ram in Colorado named Primo, Rob Davis and his daughter, Maddie, pose for a picture.
The Davis Family Livestock is currently utilizing imported purebred semen from Maximum Point rams such as Solwaybank Extra Special, Parkdale Crackers, Black Oak Braxton and others. Purebred rams on their farm also increase their genetic diversity through live cover breeding. In addition to their purebred ewes and rams, they have F2, F3 and F4 resulting from their genetic upgrading plan. The Davis Family Livestock’s breeding program focuses on conformation, wool quality and excellent mothering ability.
Education is an important part of their mission statement by offering free tours to schools and the public. These tours include a presentation in the lambing barn, a stop at each of the many pens and ends with a history lesson by a 100-plus year old sheep herder wagon and a fiber display showing wool processing from the raw state to the finished product.
