Also
Known As: Istrian
Pramenka(Slovenia), Istarska Ovca (Croatian) Istarska Pramenka
(Croatian), Istarska mljecna (Croatian), Istriana or Carsolian (Italian)
Istrian Milk originates in Istria and Karst, in addition they are found in the regions of Gorizia in Italy. The name comes from the peninsula Istria. They are a dairy breed also kept for meat and wool production. The wool is of carpet wool quality. The Istrian Milk is of the Pramenda type and is nearly extinct. This breed now exists in two countries, Slovenia and Croatia. In Slovenia about 300 breeding ewes are reared, whereas breeding material and conservation programs are run in both countries.
Istrian Milk sheep produce milk with high fat and protein content. Using traditional husbandry methods they produce between 100 and 150 kg milk in the lactation with a fat content of 9% and a protein content over 6.4%. Some animals will produce milk that contains more than 13% fat and more than 7% protein with over 25% dry matter.
Yield Fat Protein Lactose Dry matter Milking Year n kg % % % % days 1993 51 142 9.29 6.42 5.73 21.44 125 1994 28 107 7.51 5.44 4.34 18.00 103 1995 45 150 7.20 5.80 4.10 16.70 229
References:
Drago Kompan, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, 1230 DOMZALE, SLOVENIA e-mail: Dragomir.Kompan@Bfro.Uni-Lj.SI
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.
Photographs:
Juraj Grizelj, DVM, Croatia