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Bovec sheep
EFABIS Data
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International Name |
Bovec
sheep |
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Local Name |
Bovška ovca |
|
Location |
Tolmin, Bovec and
surrounding area (Slovenia) |
|
Breeding females
(year) |
1.596 (2004),
2.079 (2007) |
|
Trend of population size |
increasing |
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Flock book established |
1892 |
Origin – history
The Bovec sheep
was formed in the upper valley of Soca and got its name from the
town of Bovec. In the past centuries a breed of sheep has developed
which we have named the Bovec sheep. Its roots probably reach back
to the primary white sheep, which was also bred in other parts of
the Alps, although there is very little reference of them in
literature.
Breed description
The Bovec sheep
breed is a distinctive dairy breed, and has a fine head structure
and short ears. Its wool is rough, white, brown or black in colour,
and is sheared off twice a year. The body is relatively small in
size, having a horn-less head with short ears and short and slim
legs; the body weight of rams ranges between 45 and 50 kg, while the
standard weight for ewes is between 35 and 40 kg; height (at
shoulder) ranges from 55 to 60 cm. The sheep can reach a larger
frame and add up to 10 kg to their usual body weight provided that
they are kept in flocks under good husbandry conditions and food ad
libitum. Until today, the breeding goal has been the adaptation to
harsh grazing and rearing conditions. Above the forest margin in the
slopes of Krn, Kanin, Mangart and other mountain peaks, a vast area
of grassland with short and juicy vegetation is available. These
areas have always been used for pastures during the summer. The
animals were pasturing in this mountainous grassland after weaning
of lambs from June through September. It has been estimated that the
entire population of pure breed animals of Bovec sheep contains just
over 3700 animals and average flock is 51 animals. The milk yield of
the Bovec sheep, despite its modest past, has gone up in the past
few years thanks to better care, improved food supply and better
health conditions. On average the milk yield is around 221 kg;
containing 6.3 % fat and 5.5 % proteins. In better herds sheep can
yield over 300 kg of milk.
Conservation activities
Conservation of
breed by reproducing herds or animals: conservation programme
running.
Contact:
dr. Drago Kompan e-mail:
Drago.Kompan@bfro.uni-lj.si
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