Qianbei Ma Sheep

Qianbei Ma Sheep

Qianbei Ma Sheep is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Qianbei Ma Sheep, commonly known as Ma Sheep, is named after its primary distribution in northern Guizhou counties such as Renhuai and Xishui. It is one of the three premier local goat breeds in Guizhou Province. According to the *Guizhou Provincial Register of Local Livestock and Poultry Breeds*, Qianbei Ma Sheep “have a long and early-developed history in their production areas, with unearthed artifacts including Neolithic stone axes, Han Dynasty bronze pots, bronze tripods, Han bricks, as well as currency from the Qin and Han [Xin] dynasties, Wang Mang era, Western Jin, and Northern Song. Today’s Tucheng Town in Xishui County was the site of a prefectural and county seat during the Northern Song, serving as a political, economic, and cultural hub.” Research indicates that Qianbei Ma Sheep were developed through long-term selective breeding by local farmers and natural selection. Locals have a longstanding tradition of raising sheep and still maintain the custom of gifting sheep during weddings, funerals, housewarmings, and birthday celebrations, using them as a key source of meat and fertilizer. Since ancient times, Qianbei Ma Sheep meat has been regarded by locals as a premium dish for entertaining honored guests. During the Red Army’s Long March and the “Four Crossings of the Chishui River,” when soldiers stayed with families in Xishui and Renhuai, they often helped with chores. Deeply moved, the families wanted to slaughter sheep to thank the soldiers, but the Red Army refused to eat the sheep—these were Qianbei Ma Sheep. Today, dishes made with Qianbei Ma Sheep meat are signature offerings at many mid- to high-end local restaurants.

　　Qianbei Ma Sheep is a unique and premium local goat breed native to Guizhou’s karst region, mainly distributed in Xishui County and neighboring Renhuai and Chishui cities. Xishui County, the core production area, has a population of over 200,000. In 2011, Xishui County was designated by China’s Ministry of Agriculture as a standardized demonstration county for meat goat production. In recent years, with the growing popularity of lamb dishes, market demand for lamb has also increased significantly.

　　Qianbei Ma Sheep is a short-haired, dual-purpose (meat and hide) goat breed. It is robust, with a broad and deep chest, straight back and loin, and a thick neck. Its fleece comes in two colors: dark brown and light brown, featuring a black dorsal stripe and black neckband. Juvenile sheep have lighter-colored fleece, which darkens as they mature. The slaughter rate of Qianbei Ma Sheep is 56.6%, with excellent meat yield, high fertility, strong disease resistance, and adaptability to extensive mountain farming. It holds significant potential for development.

　　Qianbei Ma Sheep demonstrate strong adaptability to the local ecological conditions, with traits such as stable genetics, strong adaptability, good flocking behavior, tolerance to coarse feed, strong disease resistance, gentle temperament, high fertility, and large body size. Its meat is tender, flavorful, and free of gamey odor, while its hide is of superior quality—qualities that have won widespread consumer acclaim. In 1986, it was included in the *Guizhou Provincial Register of Livestock Breeds* and the provincial livestock genetic resources protection list. In 2009, it was added to the national genetic resources register (Announcement No. 1278 of the Ministry of Agriculture). The breed is primarily distributed across more than ten townships in Xishui County, including Wenquan, Liangcun, Donghuang, Xianyuan, Shuanglong, Huilong, Malin, Longxing, Yong’an, Minhua, and Tucheng. The county’s total population exceeds 240,000, with over 160,000 slaughtered annually.

　　In 2013, the “Qianbei Ma Sheep” application submitted by the Zunyi Municipal Livestock Breed Improvement Station passed the review of the National Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center and expert evaluation, leading to its registration and protection as a national geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Qianbei Ma Sheep is primarily produced in Renhuai City and Xishui County in northern Guizhou. The protected geographical area for Qianbei Ma Sheep includes Renhuai City and Xishui County. The geographic coordinates are: 105°50′20" to 106°44′30" east longitude, and 27°33′30″ to 28°20′15″ north latitude. The region spans 89.5 kilometers from east to west and 149.4 kilometers from north to south, covering a total area of 4,915.7 square kilometers.