Savoiarda

The Savoiarda or razza di Cuorgné is a threatened breed of upland sheep from the province of Turin, in Piemonte, north-west Italy.[2][3]: 274  The few remaining breeders are in the Val Chisone, the Val di Susa, the Valli di Lanzo and the Val Pellice.[3]: 274 

Savoiarda
Other names
  • razza di Cuorgné
  • Cuorgné
Country of originItaly
Distribution
StandardMIPAAF
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    65–70 kg[1]
  • Female:
    55–60 kg[1]
Height
  • Male:
    68–82 cm[1]
  • Female:
    67–75 cm[1]
Wool coloroff-white
Face colorwhite, black tip to nose,
black "spectacles"
Notes
triple-purpose, meat, milk and wool

History

The origins of the Savoiarda are not clear; it appears to be related to the Thônes et Marthod breed from the area of Savoie, in France, which lies to the west of Piemonte. Out-crossing to other breeds including the Biellese and the Frabosana have reduced the productivity of the Savoiarda, caused a loss of morphological characteristics, and contributed to its decline.[3]: 274  It is also threatened by the industrialisation of the lower Val di Susa.[4] It is one of the forty-two autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders.[4]

In 2013 the total number for the breed was 120.[5]

Characteristics

The Savoiarda is of medium size. Weight is variable, but averages 65–70 kg for rams and 55–60 kg for ewes.[1] Rams usually stand 68–82 cm at the withers, and ewes about 67–72 cm.[1] The head is rather large, with a convex profile. Rams are usually horned, with robust spiral horns; in ewes the horns are small or absent. The ears are narrow and slightly drooping. The face is white with black "spectacles" round the eyes; the muzzle is black, sometimes with white patches, and the legs are white with some black spotting. The coat is off-white.[3]: 275 

Use

The Savoiarda was traditionally a triple-purpose breed, raised for meat, milk and wool. It is now reared mainly for meat. Lambs are slaughtered at a weight of 12–15 kg.

Ewes give 100–150 litres of milk per lactation, most of which goes to the lambs. Rams yield about 3 kg of wool per year, and ewes about 2 kg. The wool is coarse, suitable for making mattresses, with a staple length of about 125–150 mm (5–6 in).[3]: 275 

References
  1. Norme tecniche della popolazione ovina "Savoiarda": standard della razza (in Italian). Ministero delle Politiche Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali. Accessed August 2015.
  2. Breed data sheet: Savoiarda/Italy. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2015.
  3. Daniele Bigi, Alessio Zanon (2008). Atlante delle razze autoctone: Bovini, equini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia (in Italian). Milan: Edagricole. ISBN 9788850652594. p. 274–275.
  4. Le razze ovine e caprine in Italia (in Italian). Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia: Ufficio centrale libri genealogici e registri anagrafici razze ovine e caprine. p. 74. Accessed September 2013.
  5. Consistenze Provinciali della Razza R3 SAVOIARDA Anno 2012 (in Italian). Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia: Banca dati. Accessed September 2013.
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