Valais At Squibb Ranch

06/15/2026

Excited to introduce the newest member of our farm! Please join us in welcoming VSR Nella Noir, sired by the impressive Cheshire Incredible Hulk (ET) and out of Goldies Joceline (ET). She comes from Iwan White of Vale View Valais in North Wales, UK. We truly appreciate Iwan and Betsy of Valais at Grateful Acres for their support throughout the transaction and her embryo transfer. Born just three weeks ago, she’s already looking fantastic! We are so blessed.~Please note, she is not for sale~ *Valais Beauties photo and write-up belong to Valais Blacknose New Zealand.* *Cheshire Incredible Hulk ram photo credit belongs to Iwan White-Vale View Valais Blacknose*

06/06/2026

If you’ve landed on my page and are wondering, “What did I just click on”—hello! I’m Diane. I’m a wound and ostomy nurse by profession, a sheep empire builder by passion, and someone who pours her heart into managing our joyful chaos alongside my partner, Joel.

By day, I dedicate myself to helping humans heal—caring for wounds, solving problems most people shy away from even discussing at the dinner table—and doing my best to remain calm, competent, and reassuring in the face of medical challenges.

But my days don’t end there. Before, during, and after work, I find myself in a pasture, trying to connect with sheep who often seem to have a mind of their own, reminding me that even the most authoritative plans can meet a bit of stubbornness.

Our sheep operation brings unexpected joy. The animals are cleaner than my barn boots, more photogenic than I am, and somehow less complicated than my day job. I can go from sterile gloves and clinical precision to, “Hold this lamb real quick,” in just a few minutes.

I often say:

* “I just need to check one thing” (which often turns into many things)
* “Just one more lamb” (which usually means a few more)
* “This will only take a second” (which sometimes means a bit longer)

My life is a whirlwind of:

* medical charts and lambing charts
* wound care and wool care
* patient rounds and pasture rounds

My camera roll 🎥 reflects this unique life:

* High-quality livestock photos that I dream of sharing
* Medical notes I intend to review later
* Countless blurry lamb shots because they refuse to stay still
* And at least one video of me gently pleading with a sheep with hooves, saying “WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?”

I don’t see hobbies; I see operations—ways I measure time in feeding schedules, shift changes, and moments when I wonder if anyone, human or sheep, has made a questionable choice today.

I often find myself:

* Switching from medical terminology to sheep genetics mid-sentence
* Getting emotionally attached and then trying to stay professional
* Designing a marketing piece while covered in hay
* Running on caffeine, adrenaline, and a strong sense of responsibility

Yes, I am a healthcare professional.
Yes, I am a livestock breeder.
And yes, I’m occasionally chasing a sheep across the pasture in scrubs, driven by love and determination, while my husband shakes his head and giggles at me from across the field.

Welcome to my life—where high stakes meet heartfelt care, the sheep are special, and I’m doing my best to keep everyone—humans and livestock—safe, healthy, and loved, all while building a brand in between.

05/27/2026

This is my dream sheep-wash tank 🛁🧼

05/27/2026

This never gets old. Adorable, sweet lambs. These guys (F4 wethers) will be available once they are weaned (at two months).

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! (This is one of our F4 lambs from this season, with some help from chatGPT on the photo)

05/18/2026

I think about this topic daily and cannot emphasize enough how important it is. Fortunately, it wasn't our sheep or lambs that the dogs got, but it still underscores the risk posed by loose dogs.

We've seen one of the largest upticks in dog attacks I can remember from our viewer comments and messages. Today marks the 4th message I've gotten in the last week.

One of the hardest realities for livestock owners is understanding what they legally can do when a dog attack happens.

And unfortunately, many people do not think about this until they are standing in the middle of panic, injured animals, broken fencing, and chaos. I've been there, and it's not fun.

First, every livestock owner needs to understand that laws vary by state, county, and even township.

My original goal was to put together an article with "this is the law," and after researching my 5 surrounding States, I have given up that battle. Every State is different, and then some counties within a State are different.

But... in every State I researched, livestock owners are legally allowed to protect their animals from dogs actively attacking, pursuing, or worrying livestock.

And the word “worrying” matters (think harassment).

Because livestock damage is not always a clean attack scene.

Sometimes the damage comes from:

- chasing
- running animals through fences
- panic injuries
- abortions
- heat stress
- suffocation in corners
- broken legs
- the list goes on

People unfamiliar with livestock often underestimate how destructive prolonged chasing alone can be.

And this becomes complicated because many attacking dogs are not “evil.”

Sometimes they are:

- roaming pets
- dumped dogs
- loose neighborhood dogs
- dogs that owners genuinely believed were harmless.

But once livestock are being attacked, the livestock owner still has a responsibility to stop the situation.

Not next week.

Not after a Facebook argument.

Right now.

This is also why I strongly encourage producers to:

- know their local laws BEFORE an incident happens
- document attacks carefully
- photograph injuries and tracks
- keep veterinary documentation
- maintain good fencing and prevention systems.

And the big one... *file a report*. Yes, I know the person is sorry, and it will "never happen again," but documentation matters. I don't like seeing the police any more than I need to, but the next time it happens, having documentation can help a lot.

And unfortunately, repeat incidents are not rare.

A dog that has discovered chasing livestock can become dramatically more dangerous the second or third time the opportunity presents itself.

I also think producers need to be honest about something uncomfortable:

Many livestock owners deeply love dogs, including me. I often joke that I like my dogs more than most people.... and I guess that's a joke (not really).

Some own house dogs, hunting dogs, farm dogs, and livestock guardian dogs themselves.

This isn't about “hating dogs.”

It is about understanding that livestock protection is still part of responsible animal ownership.

And prevention remains the best outcome for everyone involved:

- secure fencing
- supervised dogs
- responsible ownership
- proper guardian dogs
- realistic management
- a plan to deal with a predator or dog BEFORE the attack occurs

Because once panic and blood are already in the pasture… every available option becomes worse.

05/17/2026

This little man pulls on my heart strings, I might be tempted to keep him

05/16/2026

05/15/2026

Setting up our Sydell Sheep Handling System to check for pregnanies and trim hooves.

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05/05/2026

With Wreath World – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉