Jianyang Lamb

Jianyang Lamb

Jianyang Lamb is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Jianyang Lamb is a specialty of Jianyang City, Sichuan Province. It comes from the meat of Large-Eared Sheep raised in the area, known for its tender texture, low gamey flavor, and unique taste. The Jianyang Lamb Soup made from this lamb is famous nationwide, and visitors often develop a craving for it when passing through Jianyang. CCTV’s Channel 7 agricultural program “Daily Agriculture Economy” once reported on Jianyang Lamb Soup under the title “One Pot Boils Down 500,000 Sheep.” In 2011, it was registered as a China National Geographical Indication Product by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

　　In 2007, Jianyang City had 556,300 goats in stock and 1,352,800 goats slaughtered, ranking first among all counties in Sichuan. The mutton production reached 22,000 tons, with a total herd of 1,909,100 goats and a slaughter rate of 267.51%. The city kept 65,268 Boer goats—renowned global meat breeds—and 23,800 Nubian goats—famous for both meat and dairy—as well as 450,000 Large-Eared Sheep. Jianyang is the only city or county in China to have imported Nubian goats from abroad three times. The Jianyang Large-Eared Sheep, known for their large size, hardiness on coarse feed, high fertility, strong adaptability, rapid growth, good meat quality, and low gamey flavor, have been widely introduced to provinces and autonomous regions such as Hunan, Hubei, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, with an annual seedstock transfer volume exceeding 200,000. In 2007, the city had four goat farms with over 1,000 goats each, eight with 200 goats, 26 with 100 goats, and 1,261 with 50 goats. These scaled farms slaughtered 87,500 goats that year, accounting for 15.73% of the city’s total goat slaughter.

　　Sichuan Zhengdong Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Group and the Big Brother Enterprise Group are leading companies in Jianyang’s goat farming. While consolidating their existing production scales, these two industrial leaders continue to increase investment and build standardized goat farms. The Big Brother Enterprise Group invested 2 million yuan to expand the Large-Eared Sheep Breeding Farm in Nanyan Village, Tanguan Township, increasing its stock to 1,500 goats. Sichuan Zhengdong Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Group responded to the call of the Jianyang Municipal Party Committee and Government, actively participating in the construction of the “318” Green Economic Corridor. It invested 5 million yuan to establish two modern large-scale goat farms in Xinyi Village and Dalin Village, Shijia Town, adding 3,000 goat spaces and bringing the total capacity, including the Shipan and Danjing farms, to 5,000 goats. In 2007, the two leading enterprises had 3,200 high-quality Nubian and Large-Eared breeding sheep in stock. They play a significant role in goat production, management, and breed quality improvement. In 2007, the city had four goat farms with over 1,000 goats, eight with 200 goats, 26 with 100 goats, and 1,261 with 50 goats. These scaled farms slaughtered 87,500 goats that year, accounting for 15.73% of the city’s total goat slaughter.

　　Breed Advantages

　　　　The uniqueness of Jianyang Lamb Soup comes from the local goats. The indigenous goats of Jianyang, commonly called “fire lump goats,” are small in stature but extremely hardy. In the early 20th century, a lady introduced Nubian sheep from the United States, which were later released and roamed the Longquan Mountain Range, interbreeding with Jianyang’s native goats to form the “Jianyang Large-Eared Sheep,” which combines the strengths of both Chinese and foreign breeds.

　　Environmental Advantages

　　　　The living environment of Jianyang’s goats is unique to the region. Jianyang is located on the edge of the central Sichuan hills, with beautiful mountains and rivers. The scenic landscapes of Wufeng and Danjing Mountains are well-known, and Longquan Mountain is especially famous across the Chengdu Plain. The Tuo River, Sancha Lake, and Longquan Lake are all renowned water systems in Sichuan Province. The mountain pastures and lakes provide excellent grazing conditions for the goats. Experts say: “Jianyang’s goats eat Chinese herbal medicine (green mountain grass) and drink mineral water (from Longquan Lake and Sancha Lake).” The Jianyang Lamb Soup, made primarily from goats raised in such a uniquely favorable environment, naturally boasts delicious and savory broth.

　　Protected Geographical Indication Product

　　Production Area Scope

　　　　The protected geographical indication production area for Jianyang Lamb covers the entire administrative region of Jianyang City, Sichuan Province.