Written by Gabriel Vicovan
Special thanks to Radu Răducu, Enciu Ana, and Vicovan Adriana for their assistance.
Historic
The breed was formed at the Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goats Breeding Palas – Constanța between 1975 and 1987. They were developed by crossing East Friesian (imported from Germany) and Awassi (imported from Israel) breeds with the Merino de Palas breed, followed by isolation reproductive and selection to increase milk production. The breed was homologated in 2010.
Currently, the Milk Breed Palas has in the genome 65% genes from two of the best milk breeds in the world – East Friesian and Awassi, with 27% of genes from Palas Merino breed raised in Dobrogea, and 8% genes from other breeds of minor importance.
Special thanks to Radu Răducu, Enciu Ana, and Vicovan Adriana for their assistance.
Historic
The breed was formed at the Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goats Breeding Palas – Constanța between 1975 and 1987. They were developed by crossing East Friesian (imported from Germany) and Awassi (imported from Israel) breeds with the Merino de Palas breed, followed by isolation reproductive and selection to increase milk production. The breed was homologated in 2010.
Currently, the Milk Breed Palas has in the genome 65% genes from two of the best milk breeds in the world – East Friesian and Awassi, with 27% of genes from Palas Merino breed raised in Dobrogea, and 8% genes from other breeds of minor importance.
Breeding area
In Dobrogea, at the Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goats Breeding Palas – Constanța, there are 1,000 sheep, with 200 rams produced annually, to improve milk production in ewes farms located in the Dobrogea area.
Conservation program
The only genetic fund of the breed is found at the Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goats Breeding Palas – Constanța. The population is structured in 12 ram families in the breeding season, proceeding the rotational mating between families.
In Dobrogea, at the Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goats Breeding Palas – Constanța, there are 1,000 sheep, with 200 rams produced annually, to improve milk production in ewes farms located in the Dobrogea area.
Conservation program
The only genetic fund of the breed is found at the Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goats Breeding Palas – Constanța. The population is structured in 12 ram families in the breeding season, proceeding the rotational mating between families.
External (morphological) characteristics
The conformation is specific to dairy sheep. A long head with a convex profile is more pronounced in males. They are hornless, the ears are large, covered with short, thick white hairs, and are carried laterally with a tail well attached to the trunk. The chest is long and deep with a small sternum prominent, while the trunk is elongated, has a trapezoidal shape, and the spine is rectilinear. The croup is relatively broad, long, and straight; the tail is thin and long, covered with white, thick short hairs. The udder is well attached, has a globular shape, is sparsely haired, with long nipples, suitably thick, directed sideways and downwards.
The body dimensions
Production characteristics
Reproductive characters
Fecundity 92-97%;
Prolificacy 117-128%
The conformation is specific to dairy sheep. A long head with a convex profile is more pronounced in males. They are hornless, the ears are large, covered with short, thick white hairs, and are carried laterally with a tail well attached to the trunk. The chest is long and deep with a small sternum prominent, while the trunk is elongated, has a trapezoidal shape, and the spine is rectilinear. The croup is relatively broad, long, and straight; the tail is thin and long, covered with white, thick short hairs. The udder is well attached, has a globular shape, is sparsely haired, with long nipples, suitably thick, directed sideways and downwards.
The body dimensions
- Height at the withers is 64-66 cm in ewes,70-72 cm in rams;
- Croup height 67-68 cm in ewes, 70-72 cm in rams;
- Chest width 22-23 cm in ewes, 23-25 cm in rams;
- Croup width 25-27 cm in ewes, 27-29 cm in rams;
- Chest depth 39-40 cm in ewes, 63-65 cm in rams;
- Oblique length of the trunk 61-63 cm in ewes, 63-65 cm in rams;
- Whistle perimeter 8-9 cm in ewes, 9-9.5 cm in rams.
Production characteristics
- Bodyweight rams 80-90 kg; ewes 56-58 kg;
- Lambs weight at birth 3.9-4.5 kg males, 3.5-3.8 kg females;
- Average weaning weight 20.5-2 kg males, 17.5-18.0 kg females;
- Wool production 3.9- 4.2 kg in rams, 3,4-3.6 kg in ewes;
- Fineness of wool 34 -36 microns;
- Fiber length12-13 cm;
- Scouring yield 55 -56%;
- Wool color – white;
- Milk production – a total of 220 liters;
- Milk milked – 150 liters;
- Lactation duration – 220 days.
Reproductive characters
Fecundity 92-97%;
Prolificacy 117-128%
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