-Submitted photo
In back, from left, are Jenni Mcallister, of Scotland; Jamie Wood, of England; Chris Slee, of England; Marita Tauni, DVM, Sweden; Raymond Irvine, of Scotland; and Jesse Stayner, of Marshalltown. In front, from left, are Eric Matheson, nephew of the Starkweathers; Aimee Rueber, DVM; Tina Starkweather and Scott Starkweather, of Polk City.

Valais Iowa (a partnership of Aimee Rueber DVM and Jesse Stayner of Marshalltown and Scott and Tina Starkweather of Polk City) took top honors at the first National Valais Blacknose Sheep Show USA — Grading and Show Sept. 29-30 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines.

The Supreme Champion, a purebred ewe lamb, is pictured with Valais Iowa and the international judges from Scotland, England and Sweden.

The Valais Blacknose breed is a Swiss sheep breed that is new to the U.S. This was the first national show with 100 purebreds. This breed is originally from Switzerland and known as the “Cutest Sheep In The World.” Unlike most sheep, they are a very people-friendly and docile breed. People buy them for pets and breeding stock.