We bought our first Damaras in early 2020 because we wanted sheep that could handle the valley, that would thrive in the remoteness – as well as the simple fact that we found them quite beautiful. We started with a few ewes, then purchased a ram … and that was the plan … a small home flock, low maintenance, engaging to work with … job done.

That’s not quite how it went.

The more time we spent with them the more interested we became – and let’s be real – the more we fell in love. In the breed, in the history, in the way they became part of life here. We started breeding to expand our valley flock, still just for us, and as we did we got serious about the genetics. At some point along the line it stopped being our (by this stage) relatively large home flock and became something we genuinely cared about — our sheep of course, but also the breed as a whole.

We sell Damara because we think they should be out there on more properties, doing what they do best. We think they will be found to be genuinely beneficial additions to small farms, homesteads and the rural lifestyle, and that they are an extraordinary breed that would be a loss to have fade from the paddocks of Australia.

We keep our focus on careful selection, strong health, sound structure, good temperament, and work on preserving the characteristics that make the Damara such a remarkable breed in the first place. Here, that does not just come simply through selection choices* – but also the manner in which our flock lives in the valley. Heres what you should expect from – and what comes with – every Wild Valley Damara.

• Full Pedigree documentation
• Registered with the Damara Society upon request
• Inbreeding coefficient of each individual
• DSBSA standard dams and sires
• DSBSA standard assessed before sale**

• Adapted to low input management
• Performance proven in difficult terrain and climate
• Raised and live foraging and browsing naturally on diverse feed
• Ongoing advice and support
• Lifelong welfare commitment (subject to biosecurity assessment)
  

• Vaccination records (6-in-1)
• Exit drenched to your class choice
• Drench class efficacy available
• Veterinary tested Johnes free (Sep 24, next due Sep 26)
• Vaccinated with Gudair upon request
  
• NLIS tagged
• Long Distance transportation assistance
  

Come see our flock on the meet our rams and ewes page, or have a peek into a Day in the Life of the Wild Valley Flock here.

*Because the reality is that the Damara population in Australia is still relatively small, most registered stock today trace, in one way or another, back to many of the same original bloodlines – and that’s simply the nature of working with a rare breed. Damara exist in Australia today because a small number of studs kept going when almost no-one was paying attention. We owe them a lot. Australian Damara are still clearly the same breed that came from South Africa decades ago, with minimal drift. Our own stud sheep trace back to those lines, and most provable Damara in the studs across the country do too. Because of this, you’re highly unlikely to find dramatically differences between stock based on different lines alone. While selection counts – and it absolutely does – the reality is that the pool is quite connected.

**younger rams in particular can not be completely assessed for the full suite of mature traits