Sarda goat
| Conservation status | FAO (2007): not at risk[1] |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Distribution | Sardinia |
| Standard | MIPAAF |
| Use | milk, also meat[2] |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Height | |
| Coat | very variable |
| Horn status | may be horned[4] |
| Beard | may be bearded[3] |
| Tassels | may be present[4] |
| |
The Sarda is an Italian breed of domestic goat indigenous to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, off the west coast of central Italy. It is raised throughout the island, particularly in the provinces of Cagliari and Nuoro.[2]: 394 It is an ancient breed that has been influenced by the Maltese goat.[2]: 394
The Sarda is one of the eight autochthonous Italian goat breeds for which a genealogical herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep- and goat-breeders.[5][6] The herdbook was established in 1981.[7] In 1998 the total population was 260000, of which 6577 were registered in the herdbook;[2] at the end of 2013 the registered population was 11121.[8]
Characteristics
The animals are of medium build, long-necked and deep-chested; nannies have well-developed udders. The breed is particularly hardy and well-suited to being raised in a wild or semi-wild state in tough conditions. As much as possible of the available pasture is used by the Sarda sheep. Goats are marginalised and allowed only the poorest terrain; they are fed little or nothing over and above what they can graze.[2]: 395
Use
The milk yield of the Sarda per lactation of 220–240 days[2]: 395 is 173±62 litres for primiparous, 215±98 litres for secondiparous, and 237±109 litres for pluriparous, nannies.[3] The milk contains an average of 3.94% milk protein, and is used to make milk products including: Gioddu, a fermented milk product; Casu Axeddu, a mixed pecorino–caprino cheese; and ricotta.[2]: 395
Kids are slaughtered at a weight of 7–10 kg.[2]: 395
References
- ^ Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to: The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Daniele Bigi, Alessio Zanon (2008). Atlante delle razze autoctone: Bovini, equini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia (in Italian). Milan: Edagricole. ISBN 9788850652594.
- ^ a b c d e f Lorenzo Noè, Alessandro Gaviraghi, Andrea D'Angelo, Adriana Bonanno, Adriana Di Trana, Lucia Sepe, Salvatore Claps, Giovanni Annicchiarico, Nicola Bacciu (2005). Le razze caprine d'Italia (in Italian); in: Giuseppe Pulina (2005). L' alimentazione della capra da latte. Bologna: Avenue Media. ISBN 9788886817493, pages 381–435. Archived 5 October 2014.
- ^ a b Razza Sarda: Norme Tecniche Allegate al Disciplinare del Libro Genealogico della Specie Caprina (in Italian). Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia. Archived 23 September 2015.
- ^ Le razze ovine e caprine in Italia (in Italian). Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia: Ufficio centrale libri genealogici e registri anagrafici razze ovine e caprine. Archived 21 September 2013.
- ^ Strutture Zootecniche (Dec. 2009/712/CE - Allegato 2 - Capitolo 2) (in Italian). Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali. Section I (e). Archived 4 May 2014.
- ^ Breed data sheet: Sarda/Italy (Goat). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2025.
- ^ Consistenze Provinciali della Razza 47 Sarda Anno 2013 (in Italian). Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia: Banca dati. Archived 23 September 2015.