In this article, the topic of Cornigliese will be explored in depth, with the aim of exhaustively analyzing its various facets and offering a complete vision of its importance and impact on today's society. Along these lines, both historical and cultural aspects will be addressed, as well as recent studies and findings related to Cornigliese. Additionally, different perspectives and opinions from experts in the field will be examined in order to shed light on this ever-evolving topic. It is hoped that this article will not only provide valuable information, but also generate reflection and debate about Cornigliese, in order to promote a deeper and richer understanding of this topic.
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Conservation status | FAO (2007): endangered[1]: 68 |
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Other names | |
Country of origin | Italy |
Distribution | Emilia–Romagna |
Standard | MIPAAF |
Use | triple-purpose, milk, meat and wool |
Traits | |
Weight | |
Height | |
Wool colour | white, sometimes spotted |
Face colour | spotted or mottled |
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The Cornigliese or Corniglio is an Italian breed of domestic sheep from the Apennines of the province of Parma, in Emilia–Romagna in central Italy.[2] It takes its name from the mountain town of Corniglio in that province; it may also be called Borgotarese after the town of Borgo Val di Taro which is about 40 km to the west.[3]: 54 It is raised in the provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, Parma, Ravenna and Reggio Emilia.[5]: 208–209
The Cornigliese breed was created in the mid-eighteenth century by the Borboni of Parma by crossing the local Vissana breed[6]: 789 with Spanish merinos to improve the quality of the wool, at that time the most important attribute of sheep.[3]: 54 In the early twentieth century, the weight was increased by intromission of Bergamasca blood.[2][5]: 208–209 The Cornigliese 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.[3]: 54
The conservation status of the Cornigliese was listed as "endangered" by the FAO in 2007.[1] Between 2000 and 2014 total numbers recorded for the breed fell steadily from 2179 to 1369.[7][8]