Local sheep breeds from peninsular Southern Italy: breeding and demography

In the context of a Special Project financed by the MIPAF, facing the exploitation of the autochthonous ovine breeds from peninsular Southern Italy, an investigation has been carried out on the Altamurana, Bagnolese, Laticauda, Leccese and Gentile di Puglia breeds. The investigation, conducted through specific questionnaires compiled by the owners of the farms registered to the Flock Book, aimed at verifying the problem list of issues concerning the breeding of these populations, in sight of a molecular genetic analysis already programmed. The 52 considered farms are middle and large size, with less than 50 heads in 38.48% of cases and more than 300 heads in 11.53% of cases. The males/females ratio is 1/15-20 in 63.46% of cases. In the whole breeding area, about 65% of farmers raise only one breed, while 35% of them raise more than one breed (pure or cross breed). Most of the farms are single-species (71.18%) while in some cases (28.92%) other farm animals, mainly cattle and goats, are present. Animals are generally subject to regular veterinary control (67.31% of the farms). Dietary supplementation to grazing ewes is practiced by 98.00% of farms. Lambing occurs predominantly (55.77% of farms) during the whole year, with a prevalence in winter time. Weaning usually takes place after 3 months (44.23%). Lambs are slaughtered at about 6 - 8 weeks (69.23%), when they reach a live weight of about 10-20 kg (75.00%). Ewes have a lactation period that extends over more than 140 days (67.39%) or between 140 and 250 days (30.43%), with a production per lactation of about 50-100 kg (54.35%) or 100-200 kg (28.26%). The most common grazing system is the traditional continuous type (50.00%), with an average of 57.85 ha of pasture for farm. Organic fertilization (34.62%) or chemical fertilization (3.85%) of pasture are practiced. Hay is produced by only 32,35% of farms and only one cut per year is taken. Transhumance is practiced only by 9.62% of farms. Sheep are used primarily for meat and milk production, and only one farm produces also wool.