Jianyang Big-Eared Sheep

Jianyang Big-Eared Sheep

　　   A new breed developed through over fifty years of crossbreeding and selective breeding between American Nubian goats and local Jianyang sheep. As early as during the Anti-Japanese War, Soong Mei-ling, the First Lady of the Republic of China, visited the United States. The U.S. government gifted her 40 Nubian goats, which were later released and allowed to roam the Longquan Mountain area of Jianyang, where they crossbred with local Jianyang goats. In 1982, a team of experts led by Professor Liu Xiangmo, a renowned sheep farming specialist from Sichuan Agricultural University, conducted evaluations on this superior group and officially named it “Jianyang Big-Eared Sheep.” To further accelerate progress, the Jianyang Animal Husbandry and Food Bureau introduced another batch of Nubian goats from the United States in 1984 and 1985, further improving the breed through hybridization, resulting in a population with a higher proportion of Nubian goat lineage.

　　   Main Characteristics

　　   1. Large build. Adult height of Big-Eared Sheep: rams 120 cm, ewes 103 cm; adult weight: rams 106.61 kg, ewes 73.53 kg. 2. Fast growth rate and abundant milk production: Two-month-old weaning weight of Big-Eared Sheep: rams 28.16 kg, ewes 21.20 kg, over 50% higher than other domestic breeds. 3. Strong reproductive ability. The average annual lambing rate of Big-Eared Sheep is 1.85 litters, with an average lambing percentage of 212.01%, including 163.54% for first-time ewes and 237.5% for experienced ewes. 4. High meat yield. The slaughter rates of adult Big-Eared rams and ewes are 51.98% and 49.20% respectively, with net meat rates of 40.14% and 37.93%. 5. Strong adaptability. Around 200,000 Big-Eared Sheep are transferred annually as breeding stock, mainly to provinces and regions such as Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Henan. They have demonstrated excellent adaptability and strong productivity in these areas. The improved second-generation Big-Eared rams have significantly enhanced the quality of local ewes, though second-generation Big-Eared Sheep require relatively high temperatures, with a minimum of no lower than 3°C. 6. Low gamey flavor and good meat quality with unique taste. Due to their Nubian lineage, Jianyang Big-Eared Sheep have tender meat, low gamey flavor, and a unique taste. The Jianyang Lamb Soup made from Jianyang Big-Eared Sheep is famous nationwide, and visitors often enjoy eating lamb soup while in Jianyang. 7. Significant economic benefits. The goat industry, with Jianyang Big-Eared Sheep as the main focus, is a key and distinctive sector of Jianyang’s animal husbandry. In 2007, the city’s goat industry generated 945 million yuan in sheep farming income. Taking Yongquan Town in Jianyang as an example: the per capita sheep farming income for farmers was 768.29 yuan, with a net per capita sheep farming income of 461 yuan.

　　   Breed Lineage

　　   “Big-Eared Sheep” possess unparalleled advantages compared to goats in hilly regions, making them an excellent livestock breed for adjusting agricultural industrial structures and a quick path to prosperity for farmers. Their lineage is as follows: Paternal line: 1. First-generation Boer goat crossbred rams, resulting from crossing Boer goats with Longquan Mountain ewes. They have a round and sturdy build, long legs, well-developed forequarters, splayed hind legs, faster weight gain than other goats, tolerance for coarse feed, large and tightly closed testicles, early sexual maturity, large drooping ears, and adult rams can weigh over 75 kg. 2. Jianyang Big-Eared Sheep: Large drooping ears, long waist, tall and sturdy legs, small head, large and tightly closed testicles, early sexual maturity, adult rams can weigh over 65 kg. Maternal line: 1. Longquan Mountain ewes: Adult ewes can weigh around 45 kg, with small heads, long waists, tall and sturdy legs, small bellies, large udders with abundant milk, high litter rates averaging 2.5 lambs per birth, year-round estrus, usually coming into heat again 40 days after giving birth or a few days after weaning, strong maternal instincts, good at protecting lambs; wide diet, most wild grasses, tree leaves, vegetables, sweet potato vines, and other dried forages can be consumed, making winter survival easier.