Category:Istrian Milk Sheep

The Istrian Milk Sheep (also known as Istrian Pramenka - Slovenia, Istarska Ovca - Croatian, Istarska Pramenka - Croatian, Istarska mljecna - Croatian, Istriana or Carsolian - Italian) 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. Performance

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.