| Other names |
|
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Distribution | |
| Standard | MIPAAF |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Height | |
| Wool color | off-white |
| Face color | white, black tip to nose, black "spectacles" |
| Notes | |
| triple-purpose, meat, milk and wool | |
| |
TheSavoiarda orrazza di Cuorgné is a threatenedbreed of uplandsheep from theprovince of Turin, inPiemonte, north-west Italy.[2][3]: 274 The few remaining breeders are in theVal Chisone, theVal di Susa, theValli di Lanzo and theVal Pellice.[3]: 274
The origins of the Savoiarda are not clear; it appears to be related to theThônes et Marthod breed from the area ofSavoie, in France, which lies to the west of Piemonte. Out-crossing to other breeds including theBiellese and theFrabosana have reduced the productivity of the Savoiarda, caused a loss ofmorphological 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 theAssociazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders.[4]
In 2013 the total number for the breed was 120.[5]
The Savoiarda is of medium size. Weight is variable, but averages65–70 kg for rams and55–60 kg for ewes.[1] Rams usually stand68–82 cm at thewithers, and ewes about67–72 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
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 of12–15 kg.
Ewes give100–150 litres of milk per lactation, most of which goes to the lambs. Rams yield about3 kg of wool per year, and ewes about2 kg. The wool is coarse, suitable for making mattresses, with a staple length of about 125–150 mm (5–6 in).[3]: 275