Varesina sheep


The Varesina is a rare breed of domestic sheep from the province of Varese in Lombardy, in northern Italy.[1][2] It originates from the area of Biandronno and Travedona; members of the breed have been identified in the comuni of Albizzate and Arcisate. The Varesina is closely related to the Bergamasca and the Biellese, but is smaller.[2] 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.[3]

Varesina
Country of originItaly
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    85–90 kg
  • Female:
    70–75 kg
Wool coloroff-white
Face colorwhite
Notes
dual-purpose, meat and wool

In 1983 there were about 1000 Varesina sheep, of which 800 were registered. Recent estimates place total numbers at about 60.[2] In 2013 no total number for the breed was recorded in the herdbook.[4] The breed is at serious risk of extinction and is protected.[3]

References
  1. Breed data sheet: Varesina/Italy. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed September 2013.
  2. Daniele Bigi, Alessio Zanon (2008). Atlante delle razze autoctone: Bovini, equini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia (in Italian). Milan: Edagricole. ISBN 9788850652594. p. 298–299.
  3. 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. 80. Accessed September 2013.
  4. Consistenze Provinciali della Razza R6 VARESINA Anno 2012 (in Italian). Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia: Banca dati. Accessed September 2013.


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