Nentsi

The Nentsi Reindeer breed was developed by the Nentsi people. In the 1930's breeding work began on a large scale to considerably increase size, strength and productivity.

The Nentsi breed is reared in the north of Russia and to the east of the Urals, particularly in the lower reaches of the Ob and Yenisei Rivers. In the past, the Murmansk region was the breeding area of the Saami strain (Murmansk breed), but in the 1930's it was replaced by the Nentsi breed.

There are over 850,00 headof Nentsi reindeer. These animals are of average size, when compared to other breeds, strong body build, and mainly light brown in color.

Natural and climatic conditions in areas where Nentsi reindeer are bred are relatively monotonous. This is a mostly low-lying country, with occasional ranges of low and medium mountains (the Khibini Mountains and the Urals), considerable precipitation in winter and comparably warm summers. The average temperature fluctuates from -0.5 to 3.8c.

In summer the herds graze mainly on the Arctic coast in the tundra zone, which has abundant green vegetation, while in winter they are driven into the forest tundra with its profusion of feed lichens and protection from wind.

A characteristic feature of this breed is that they feed chiefly on reindeer lichens for 8 months, from October to May. As the lichens do not contain sufficient nutrients, the animals' weight falls sharply toward spring.

Rutting occurs at the end of September through October. Females usually give birth to one fawn. The number of fawns in years with favorable feeding and weather conditions is 85% and up to 93% in pedigree herds.

The typical diseases of Nentsi reindeer are gadfly strike, necobacillosis, and pneumonia. However, some animals are resistant to these diseases.

Nentsi reindeer are perfectly adapted to local natural and climatic conditions. Transferring them to regions lying more to the south end in failure, as the animals perished within 2-3 years.

The Nentsi breed is the most uniform and fixed one. Bigger animals are to be found on Arctic islands such as Kalguev and Vaigach, but this is due to favorable feeding conditions, not genetic differences. The use of island sires in mainland herds did not bring about an improvement.

There are about 30 pedigree herds of the Nentsi breed. It is considered to be the most numerous and successful breed. However, because of large-scale industrial activity in a number of regions the areas of lichen winter pastures is being reduced, which can have a negative impact on the local reindeer production.