Yiling sheep recognized as new national breed

By Chen Zai

Yiling sheep has been certified as a new national breed after passing an evaluation by the National Committee for Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources, according to a recent announcement by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Yiling sheep is China's first new meat sheep breed developed for fully indoor rearing in southern China. Photo from Yiling District Media Center.

Led by Huazhong Agricultural University in collaboration with several research institutions and companies, the new meat sheep breed was developed through 20 years of systematic crossbreeding and selection over four generations. Combining genetic traits from East Friesian sheep, small-tailed Han sheep, and Hu sheep, the breed has high fertility, rapid early growth, and strong adaptability to fully indoor rearing.
 

Yichang’s city and district-level animal husbandry and veterinary centers participated in key stages of the breeding program.
 

The new breed fills a gap in meat sheep breeds suited to indoor rearing in southern China's hot and humid climate. Its development is expected to support the growth of Yichang's meat sheep industry through larger-scale, standardized, greener breeding practices and improved livestock varieties.

Zhao Jingyi contributed to this story.