Brianzola (I)

Index

Description

Brianzola is a large-framed sturdy meat sheep with plain white wool. The head is relatively small and longish, the nose has a Roman profile. The lop ears are narrow. Both rams and ewes are polled. The legs are strong and sturdy. The udder is very well developed.

General and History

Brianzola is regarded as autochthon and was the most widely spread sheep breed in Lombardy and the Southern foothills of the Alps before the Second World War. The breed is considered a cultural heritage of the region.

Distribution in the past and today

Main area of distribution was the triangle of Como, Lecco and Monza and east of Como Lake.

Utilization

The breed is often keep in small herds for meat production, mainly for own consumption. The wool is sold via regional markets.

Keeping

The animals are mostly kept in small herds in family farms. During the summer they stay on Alpine pastures at an altitude of approx. 1300m. During the winter they freely roam around the stable.

Performance

The breed is strictly seasonal. 80% of lambs are born as twins; triplets occur quite often. Lambs are sold with 15 to 20kg.
Body weight: 100kg (m), 64kg (w)
Withers height: 90cm (m), 85cm (w)
Fleece weight: 3kg (m), 2kg (w)
Lambing percentage: 130%

Literature

Schafrassen in den Alpen, Antje Feldmann, Ursula Bietzker, Dr. Christian Mendel - Herausgeber: Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e.V. - GEH, Deutschland

Governmental organisations

ASSONAPA, Viale Palmiro Togliatti, 1587, I-00155 Roma
Associazione della Pecora Brianzola, Via Pedro Vasena 4 23856 Galbialte