Description

The breed is a small to medium framed and finely boned milk sheep breed with narrow head, short ears that stick out and straight profile of the nose. Most animals are polled with typical mixed wool. Forehead, belly and tail are woolly, face and legs without wool. Approx. 60% of the animals are white, 40% are brown.

General and History

Bovec is an autochthonous breed of the Julian Alpes from the border region of Carinthian, Slovenia and Friuli which descends from Zaupel. In 1988 and 1991, respectively, 30 animals were brought from Slovenia to Austria to rescue the breed. Herdbook foundation in 1992

Distribution in the past and today

Border triangle Carinthian, Slovenia and Friuli.

Keeping

The animals are kept by part-time farmers and amateurs. Some animals stay at high-altitude pastures during summer where they are milked for cheese production.

Breeding aims

Breeding aim is thus the conservation of the genetic variability of the breed and the unchanged robust form that is well suited for milking and very vital.

Performance

Withers height: 80cm (m), 75cm (w)
Body weight: 50-85kg (m), 45-70kg (w)
Fleece weight: 3-4kg (m), 2.5-3kg (w)
Lambing percentage: 150-200%

Literature

- Bietzker, U. (2001): Das Krainer Steinschaf-Zuchthistorie, Verbreitung und Zukunftsperspektiven. Diplomarbeit im Fachbereich Landwirtschaft, Internationale Agrarwirtschaft und Ökologische Umweltsicherung. Gesamthochschule Kassel
- Schlecht, A. (2004): Das Krainer Steinschaf. Der Bayerische Schafhalter 4, 12-14.

Links

Non-Governmental organisations

Arche Austria, Spartenbetreuer, Verein der Krainer Steinschafzüchter Alpe Adria, Barbara Soritz, Unterfresen 58, A-8541 Schwanberg, +43 (0)699/12 16 2273, barbara.soritz@aon.at, www.krainersteinschaf.at
Schaf- und Ziegenzuchtverband Kärnten, Museumgasse 5, A-9010 Klagenfurt, +43 (0)463 5850 1523, tierzucht@lk-kaernten.at
Verein zur Erhaltung des Krainer Steinschafes, Obfrau Julia Elpons, Mühlweg 4, A-7521 Bildein, Tel: +43 (0)676 4304342, elpons@bioschaf.at, www.bioschaf.at