BREED UP GUIDELINES

VBSANA is committed to establishing a sustainable breeding flock of Valais Blacknose sheep in North America. VBSANA supports the establishment and development of Valais Blacknose sheep using only purebred Valais Blacknose semen in a breed up program by using Foundation ewes of non-Valais Blacknose descent with the eventual goal of attaining F-5 or Domestic Purebred Valais Blacknose sheep. VBSANA also supports the use of imported purebred embryos to further establish a high-quality breeding flock.

In order to achieve a uniform, phenotypically correct purebred breeding flock using a breed up progam, VBSANA has instituted a structured registry database utilizing Foundation Ewes, Recorded Stock, and Registered Stock. F-5 breed up animals must meet the VBSANA breed standard by submitting a series of photographs to be approved to be entered into the database as Registered Stock at the F-5 stage for ewes and rams.

ONLY PUREBRED VALAIS BLACKNOSE SIRES

All subsequent Valais Blacknose progeny produced using the breed up program, must use purebred Valais Blacknose sires for inclusion in the database. It is understood that the breed up system is best used in conjunction with purebred Valais Blacknose sires, either by natural cover or through the use of artificial insemination. All Purebred sires will need to be registered with VBSANA and a DNA sample must also be submitted to establish sire lineage.

FOUNDATION EWE

Recognizing that breeders have made their own choices regarding Foundation ewe breeds to institute their breed up programs using purebred Valais Blacknose semen, there are no restrictions placed on the breed type of the Foundation Ewe by VBSANA. These ewes will have to be recorded for entry into the VBSANA database. The ewe will be recorded as a Foundation Ewe containing her lineage information and her registration in any other breed Registry. The required VBSANA form is provided on the website and is also available from the Registrar.

BREED UP PROGRAM

In order to be included into the VBSANA database, all first cross (F-1) (50%) lambs must be sired by use of a purebred Valais Blacknose sire and each generation must be parent verified (DNA tested). Regarding the use of Valais Blacknose sires on Foundation ewes, the first-generation ewe progeny (F-1) bred back to a purebred Valais Blacknose sire produces second generation progeny (F-2). The second-generation ewe progeny (F-2) bred to a purebred Valais Blacknose sire produces third generation progeny (F-3). The third-generation ewe progeny (F-3) bred to a purebred Valais Blacknose sire produces fourth generation progeny (F-4). The fourth-generation ewe progeny (F-4) bred to a purebred Valais Blacknose sire produces fifth generation progeny (F-5). Most animal geneticists classify an animal that is 96.88% (F-5) as a purebred. They are referred to as “Domestic Purebreds”, will be considered purebred Valais Blacknose, and VBSANA will document the animal’s purebred percentage on their certificates of registration.

RECORDED STOCK

All F-1 – F-4 Valais Blacknose progeny produced by utilizing the breed up program, as described above, shall be entered into the database as “Recorded Stock” and will receive a Certificate of Recording. Subsequent offspring of “Recorded Stock” may be considered for entry into the database as “Registered Stock” provided all other requirements are met and the offspring exhibit the VBSANA breed characteristics validated by pictures of the subject animal. Otherwise, eligible sheep who do not meet the VBSANA breed standard may continue to be entered into the database as “Recorded Stock” and used in breeding programs. Recorded Stock needs to reach the level of F-5, attained through the consistent use of purebred Valais Blacknose semen, before being considered for inclusion as Registered Stock.

NO CROSSBRED RAMS

ALL Breed up or crossbred rams (F1-F4) should be castrated/wethered. Breed up or crossbred rams (F1-F4) will NOT be recorded.

REGISTERED STOCK

All breed up Valais Blacknose sheep in the Recorded Stock database have been parent verified at each generation. Recorded Stock that have reached a minimum of F-5, attained through the consistent use of purebred Valais Blacknose semen, and/or have reached 96.88% purebred blood, shall be considered for inclusion in the database as “Registered Stock.” If the animal meets the breed standard, determined by submitting a complete set of high-quality pictures for evaluation and approval, the animal will then be registered as “Registered Stock.” Each animal entered into the “Registered Stock” database must submit a DNA sample for parentage verification.

REGISTERED “DOMESTIC PUREBREDS”

Most animal geneticists classify an animal that is 96.88% (F-5) as a purebred. They are referred to as “Domestic Purebreds”, will be considered purebred Valais Blacknose, and VBSANA will document the animal’s purebred percentage on their certificates of registration.

REGISTERED “PUREBREDS”

Members registering purebred Valais Blacknose sheep in VBSANA should provide a minimum three-generation pedigree. A DNA sample must be submitted for parent verification and future lineage verification of offspring. All such animals shall be recognized as Purebred and issued a “Purebred” Registration Certificate.

NO SPITTI RAMS

Spitti rams will NOT be registered, and therefore should be wethered.

Sheep produced as a result of SPITTI RAMS will NOT be registered and will NOT be included in the “Registered Stock” database. When registering lambs, breeders must sign to attest that they have not used Spitti rams as sires.