engleski

Lamb meat production capacaties of Croatian autochthonous sheep breeds

Extensive production systems which include using natural pastures to a greater or lesser extent are the most frequent tendencies, together with some semi stabled systems (Istrian sheep). Sheep production systems have great influence on the environment of the Croatian Adriatic coast and islands. That influence was even greater in the past. About 150 years ago 600 000 sheep were reared only in Dalmatia. As a multi-product species, sheep was ideal to meet the demands of the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean basin. Pag sheep have lower carcass weight, typical for suckling lambs and similar to that in Portugal and Italy. Istrian and Cres sheep and Dalmatian Pramenka have carcass that can be classified as light carcass according to weight and is similar to that in Spain and Greece.

lamb meat; carcass traits; autocthonous breeds

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