Bovec sheep are raised primarily for milk and meat. The breed is mainly seen in the upper valley of the Soča or Isonzo river in Slovenia.
Bovec sheep breed information
Bovec comes in primarily white color, but sometimes black or brown is possible.
As the breed is raised in valleys their legs are inclined forward to make them easier to walk.
The Bovec Ram weighs around 45 kg (99 lb) and ewes weigh around 40 kg (88 lb).
The height of rams at withers is 64 cm (25 in) and ewes at 60 cm (24 in).
The litter size of the ewes is 1.23 lambs.
The lactation period is around 210 days which yields around 221 kg (480 lb) of milk with a fat percentage of 6.3%.
The breed socializes in herds and has friendly behavior.
Bovec Sheep Cheese is hard full-fat cheese.
Things to know
Bovec sheep is also known as “Trentarka” in Trenta valley, Bovška Ovca in Slovene and Plezzana in Italian and Krainer Steinschaf in German.
The breed is raised in many parts of the world like Italy, Austria, and Slovenia.
In 2012 the population of Bovec was 3500 in Slovenia. But in Austria, the count of Bovec(Krainer Steinschaf) was around 2500 to 4000 in 2012.
Bovec (Plezzana) sheep is one of the 42 autochthonous local sheep, where herd book is maintained as only limited distribution of breed is allowed. The herdbook is in Italy at Associazione Nazionale Della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders.
But interestingly in 2013, the herdbook was empty, the breed is under super decline where in Italy only 40 to 50 heads were present then.
Bovec cheese is famous for its distinctive, slightly spicy and intense flavor. The cheese is compact, elastic and dense with pale beige in color.
In the 14th Century, the Bovec cheese was a currency. You could pay fishing, taxes or traded it for other goods.
Brief characteristics of Bovec sheep
| Breed Name | Bovec sheep |
| Other Name | Trentarka |
| Country/Place of Origin | Slovenia |
| Breed Purpose | milk and meat |
| Breed Size | small |
| Weight Ram(Male) | 45 kg (99 lb) |
| Ewe(Female) | 40 kg (88 lb) |
| Kidding | one |
| Good for Stall Fed | open grazing |
| Climate Tolerance | local conditions |
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