News

Meet Australia’s most adorable sheep

By Jaci Hicken

Apr 1, 2026

Epridell Farm has a passion for breeding unique livestock such as Highland cattle and Valais Blacknose sheep. Photo by Contributed

Epridell Farm owner Bec Waddell has found her passion in breeding some of Australia’s most distinctive livestock.

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“We are only a small farm,” she said.

“We started out with Highland cattle and had been breeding them for many years.”

The farm’s journey took an exciting turn when Valais Blacknose sheep arrived in Australia in 2020.

“We started off with the Bred Up program when the sheep first landed in Australia and then fairly quickly moved into pure Valais because they are addictive, and they are absolutely adorable,” Bec said.

The farm transitioned to breeding pure Valais Blacknose sheep due to their adorable nature and resemblance to Highland cattle, which they also breed. Photo by Contributed

The appeal of these Swiss sheep lies in their similarity to Highland cattle.

“The reason I fell in love with them is they are similar to, well, they remind me of the Highlands, but in the sheep version,” she said.

“The big shaggy wool and the long horns, both the ewes and the rams, have the big horn set, so they are similar in that way to the Highlands.”

She also praised their temperament.

“They are a very docile sheep, quite a friendly sheep, and similar to a dog.”

Operating on a small scale allows for intensive care.

“We have about 10 pure ewes on our farm at any given time, and it is very hands-on,” Bec said.

“They are not like a sheep, more like a gorgeous lawn mower.”

The farm, located 10 minutes from Ballarat at Bald Hills, serves a unique market, with its largest clientele comprising therapy animals, farm stays, and BnBs.

The couple divides responsibilities, with Bec handling the “cute fluffies”, while her husband breeds Charbray cattle.

At Seymour expo, where they've exhibited for four years, the farm showcases its animals to potential buyers.

“We love Seymour. It is such a great expo,” Bec said.

“It is a very exhausting weekend because it is so full on, we are always very busy, but it is brilliant, and we get to talk about sheep and cows all weekend, so what more could you ask for?”