Conservation status | FAO (2007): critical[1] |
---|---|
Country of origin | Italy |
Distribution | |
Standard | MIPAAF |
Use | dual-purpose, milk and meat |
Traits | |
Weight | |
Height | |
Wool color | white |
Face color | white |
Horn status | horned in both sexes |
|
The Cornella Bianca is a breed of domestic sheep from the Apennines of Emilia–Romagna in central Italy.[3] It is raised principally in mountainous parts of the provinces of Bologna, Modena and Reggio Emilia, where it is transhumant. Some are also raised in the plains around Ferrara, Rovigo and Vicenza.[4][5] It is found particularly in the comuni of Minerbio, Baricella and Malalbergo in the province of Bologna and Argenta in the province of Ferrara.[5]
The origins of the Cornella Bianca breed are unknown.[5] It has probably been influenced by the Garfagnina Bianca and Massese breeds from the Tuscan side of the Apennines, with which the transhumance would have brought it in contact.[4][6] It is one of the forty-two autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders.[5]
The conservation status of the Cornella Bianca was listed as "critical" by the FAO in 2007.[1] In 2013 total numbers for the breed were reported to be 228.[7]