Productivity of Krivovir Strain and its importance on sheep farming in Republic of Serbia

Abstract

The area of central Serbia is very suitable for sheep production, because of it’s hilly and mountainous configuration. Such area is rich in pastures for ruminants. In the territory of central Serbia, representative of autochthonous (indigenous) sheep breeds is pramenka (zackel) with its differentiated strains: Sjenica strain, Svrljig strain, Krivovir strain, Karakachan strain, Pirot strain, Lipa strain and Bardoka (White Metohian strain). Aim of this study was to investigate Krivovir strain: number of controlled heads and their part in total sheep population, their productivity parameters and milk parameters. In this study, total of 789 adult animals were observed. Average observed body weight (BW) of lambs were: BW on birth 3.22 kg, BW after 30 days 10.55 kg and BW on weaning 24.99 kg, while BW of adult sheep was 50.52 kg. Fertility index was 1.17 and average wool production was 2.88 kg. Average lactation after weaning lasted for 100 days, with milk production 65.16 kg, 3.91% protein and 6.72% milk fat. Krivovir strain is participating with 0.4% of total number of controlled sheep in central Serbia. Although in small number, this strain is irreplaceable in sustainable systems because they are evolutionary adapted to the conditions in which they are reared and because of their contribution to gene pool and agro-biodiversity.