Clarkson’s Farm Sheep – Valais Blacknose
Rumour has it that the next additon the Clarksons farm will be the Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep after Lisa Hogan was spotted with some on Social media.
Season 4 of Clarkson’s farm might have some of the cutest sheep known to humankind arriving very soon. The new sheep on Diddly Squat farm and rumoured to be Valais Blacknose.
How much do Valais Blacknose sheep cost?
The Sheep don’t cost diddly squat though, they have sold for up to 18,000 guineas but you can find more reasonably priced ones here with prices starting from £250 – although they will just be a lawnmower as they have been castrated!
If you are wondering what a Guinea is and why we still use them, read on, I’ll explain at the bottom of the article.
Why would Jeremey Clarkson be buying Swiss Valais Blacknose Sheep?
He champions British Farming and has stuck by british breeds in the past when he bought Wayne Rooney the Suffolk ram and Pepper the cow who is (was??) a Beef Shorthorn
In a word… cute. They are very cute. So much so, people didn’t even think they were real when they first debuted on Countryfile in 2012. They are also very hardy little creatures. If you have ever been to Valais in Switzerland you will know it can be a very harsh Alpine environment, and only the hardiest little sheep will survive.
So if Valais Blacknose Sheep are coming to Diddly Squat farm, you can bet it’s for media appeal. They will provide countless photo opportunites and star in many scenes. Kaleb is unlikely to be impressed though, he wasn’t a fan of the first lot of sheep that came to the farm so this lot with be just as derided.
They are sure to be a great draw at the Diddly Squat farm shop, just make sure to take your 18,000 Guineas with you if you want to take one home.
Click below to see Lisa with the Sheep!
What is a Guinea and why do we use it?
From Wikipedia: “The guinea (/ˈɡɪniː/; commonly abbreviated gn., or gns. in plural)[1] was a coin, minted in Great Britain between 1663 and 1814, that contained approximately one-quarter of an ounce of gold.[2] The name came from the Guinea region in West Africa, from where much of the gold used to make the coins was sourced.[3] “
So why do we still use Guineas? Are sheep breeders swapping their rams for antique gold coins? sadly not. The modern value of a Guinea is £1.05, so to convert the 18,000gn price into Pounds, just multiply by 1.05. Therefore 18,000Gn = £18,900.
But why use it? well… here is the clever part. The number of Guineas equals the number of pounds the farmer gets. The 5p goes to the Auctioneers as commison. Smart eh?! Think of it this way, 18,000gn means the farmer gets £18,000 after commision.
FAQs
How much do Valais Blacknose sheep cost in the UK?
A Valais blacknose sheep can cost anywhere from £250 up to £18,900
How much do Valais blacknose sheep cost in the US?
Castrated males can be as low as $500, but entry level cost for a breeding sheep is around $2000. Prices can go as high as $25,000 for top breeding stock
Why are Valais Blacknose sheep so expensive?
They are collectors items, prized for their looks. They don’t produce any magical meat, wool or milk, they are no more productive than any other hill sheep breed. They are just very cute, and like most collectors items, the best examples come at a premium.
Of course the breeders know this, and if they can breed the best genetic examples, then they will fetch the highest prices. Think of it as a genetic arms race (or fluffy leg race). They are desirable, people want them, they are in realitvely short supply so prices are high.
Where can I buy Valais Blacknose sheep in the UK?
Valais Blacknose sheep can be bought direct from the breeders, a few examples of where you can find Valais blacknose sheep for sale are below:
Where can I buy Valais Blacknose sheep in the USA?
Here is a list of Valais blacknose sheep for sale in the USA
