Apennine ovine breeding

Ovine breeding on the Ippogrifo Farm began in 2005. The Farm immediately signed up to be part of the APA (Breeding Association of the Province) of Perugia to become qualified and improve production. The Apennine ovine was chosen for breeding, this breed being Italian, native to the Apennine as the name suggests and, therefore, Umbrian. The initial breeding consistency is today approximately 150 between rams, lamp and sheep.

The Apennine was born as a triple-purpose breed (milk, wool and meat) but nowadays they are selected for their purpose of meat production. The main quality of the Apennine is that they are native to the area and therefore rustic and perfectly adapted to the environment where they live, in for example secondary agricultural or disadvantaged areas like in the zone where our Farm is located.

These ovines are bred at the Ippogrifo Farm throughout almost the entire year outside; only sheep who have just given birth are separated from the herd and put into stalls for a few days. Their feeding takes place on the pastures, dietary supplements are supplied almost always only in the winter to make up for pasture scarcity during this time, with a diet constituted mainly of hay, barley, corn and field beans.

Physically, these ovines are between a medium and medium-large size with a fairly light frame. In particular, both sexes have light, non-horned heads with medium-sized ears set horizontally or slightly diagonally. Their profiles are straight or slightly arched, their limbs are thin and long, their fleece is white and half-closed leaving uncovered the head, limbs and stomach; their skin is rosy.

There are currently two rams operating at the Farm. These rams were originally from the San Paoli farm; one was purchased directly and the other at a public auction in Calippo after having passed a series of performance tests.

Generally, the average production of lambs of this breed can vary between 15-17 kg at approximately 50-50 days to approximately 23-27 kg at 100 days of life.


The following categories of ovines are also at the Farm:

• Lambs: our farm sells lambs starting from 100 days. All lambs are preferentially sold as breeders.
• Sheep: members of this category are all those who have already given birth
• Rams

On our Animal Announcement List, you will find an area dedicated to all animals for sale with their own information such as photos and ram or sheep genealogical certificates. Other types of animals for sale may also be detailed on this Animal Announcement List.