Alpagota
A rare Italian sheep breed from the Alpago region.
The Alpagota is a sheep breed native to the Belluno province in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Its name comes from the historic Alpago area, where it is mainly raised. The breed is one of forty-two local Italian sheep breeds with limited distribution that have a herdbook maintained by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the country’s national sheep-breeders’ association.
No one knows the Alpagota’s exact origins. It is primarily raised in the historic Alpago region, which covers the modern municipalities of Chies d’Alpago, Farra d’Alpago, Pieve d’Alpago, Puos d’Alpago, and Tambre in southeastern Belluno province. Some are also raised in the nearby provinces of Padova, Pordenone, and Treviso. The breed likely shares a common origin with the Lamon sheep from the Feltrino area around Feltre, about 50 kilometers west of Alpago. Fifty years ago, twelve local sheep breeds existed in the Veneto; only four survive today. In the early 1990s, the European Community identified the Alpagota as a local breed at risk, and in 1998 it received PAT status under the name “Pecora Alpagota.” In 1960, there were over ten thousand Alpagota sheep. By 2000, numbers had dropped to about 1,600. They rose to over 2,400 by 2010, and in 2013 the total reported was 3,363.
The Alpagota is small to medium-sized, with a white face marked by black patches, no horns, and relatively small ears. In the past, it was a triple-purpose breed raised for meat, milk, and wool. Today, it is kept mainly for meat. A problem for twentieth-century farmers was the poor carcass conformation and the short period—about one month around Easter—when they could get a good price. In 2002, local farmers formed a cooperative and registered a trademark with a logo called “Agnello d’Alpago.” To qualify, sheep had to be raised in the five Alpago municipalities and meet specific production criteria. Lambs were slaughtered at sixty to eighty days, with a live weight of 22 to 35 kilograms (50 to 80 lb). The Slow Food organization supported the project, helping promote the breed, market the meat, and inform consumers. The campaign succeeded: sales now spread across much of the year, consumer awareness has grown, and farmers receive better prices.
Quick Facts
- Country
- Italy
- Distribution
- Province of Belluno · Neighbouring provinces
- Standard
- [http: · www.assonapa.it/norme_ecc/OVINI-RA_Standard_WEB/Sandard-Alpagota.htm MIPAAF]
- Use
- Triple-purpose, principally for meat
- Maleweight
- 52 kg
- Femaleweight
- 42 kg
- Maleheight
- 67 cm
- Femaleheight
- 57 cm
- Skincolor
- Pink
- Woolcolor
- White
- Facecolor
- White with brown or black mottling
- Horns
- Both sexes are polled (hornless)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The origins of the Alpagota are unknown. It is raised principally in the historic region of the Alpago, which coincides with the area of the modern comuni of Chies d'Alpago, Farra d'Alpago, Pieve d'Alpago, Puos d'Alpago and Tambre in the south-east of the province of Belluno; some are raised in the neighbouring provinces of Padova, Pordenone and Treviso. The Alpagota probably shares a common origin with the Lamon breed from the Feltrino, the area around Feltre, some 50 km west of the Alpago.
In the past the Alpagota was a triple-purpose breed, reared for meat, milk and wool; it is now kept mainly for meat production. A twentieth century problem farmers faced was the poor conformation of the carcasses and the short time (about one month around Easter) for which a good price was obtainable. In 2002, farmers in the area formed a co-operative and registered a trademark, creating a logo, 'Agnello d'Alpago'. To take part, the sheep had to be reared in the five municipalities of Alpago and conform to various methods of production criteria. The lambs were to be slaughtered at sixty to eighty days with a live weight of 22 to 35 kilograms (50 to 80 lb).
Reader's Guide
The Alpagota breed represents a significant part of Italy's agricultural heritage, particularly in the Veneto region. Its history reflects the broader decline of local livestock breeds: of the twelve local sheep breeds present in the Veneto fifty years ago, only four survive. The Alpagota was identified by the European Community as a local breed at risk in the early 1990s, and in 1998 received PAT status under the name 'Pecora Alpagota'. Population numbers fell from over ten thousand in 1960 to about 1600 by the year 2000, but conservation efforts have led to a recovery, with over 2400 by 2010 and 3363 reported in 2013.
The breed's legacy is closely tied to the success of the 'Agnello d'Alpago' trademark and marketing campaign, supported by the Slow Food organisation. This initiative helped spread sales throughout much of the year, increased consumer awareness, and improved prices for farmers. The Alpagota is a small to medium-sized breed with a white face with black markings, no horns and relatively small ears. Its survival demonstrates how targeted marketing and cooperative action can revive a threatened local breed.
Did You Know?
- The Alpagota is one of forty-two autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia.
- The breed received PAT status in 1998 under the name 'Pecora Alpagota'.
- Farmers formed a co-operative in 2002 and registered the trademark 'Agnello d'Alpago'.
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