Tanggula Tibetan Sheep

Tanggula Tibetan Sheep

Tanggula Tibetan Sheep is an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Tanggula Tibetan Sheep is a specialty of Tanggula Mountain Town, Golmud City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It is a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Tibetan sheep, also known as Tibetan sheep, with the English name Tibetan sheep, is one of China's three major original sheep breeds. It is mainly distributed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with Qinghai being the primary production area. They are widely distributed and make up the largest proportion among livestock. Based on their ecological environment and combined with production and economic characteristics, they can be divided into three types: plateau type, valley type, and Oula type. The plateau type accounts for 90% of the province’s total and is the main body of Tibetan sheep, primarily distributed in high-cold pastoral areas.

　　In 2014, "Tanggula Tibetan Sheep" applied for by the Golmud Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Workstation passed the review of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation, and was implemented under the national agricultural geographical indication registration and protection.

　　Location: Qinghai

　　Applicant: Golmud Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Workstation

　　Year of application: 2014

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic indication area of Tanggula Yak is: The protected geographic indication area of Tanggula Tibetan Sheep is: the administrative region of Tanggula Mountain Town, Golmud City. Geographic coordinates are: 91°38′49″–93°20′22″ east longitude, 33°52′14″–35°12′31″ north latitude. The protected area covers 1,427,755 hectares. It borders Nagqu Prefecture of Tibet to the south, Yushu Prefecture to the east and north, and extends to Xinjiang to the west; the area features elevations of over 4,500–6,000 meters and has a highland continental climate.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Unique Sensory Characteristics: Tanggula Tibetan Sheep have been gradually bred through long-term natural and artificial selection under specific natural climates and production methods such as high cold and high altitude. They have a large build, long body, deep and broad chest, well-developed and open front chest, straight back and waist, and an overall rectangular-shaped body. The head is rough, the forehead is relatively wide, the nasal bridge is prominent, and both rams and ewes mostly have horns. Rams have thick, long, flat horns that are spiral or twisted in shape, with tips pointing outward and spreading left and right. Ewes have flatter horns, slightly smaller than those of rams, mostly twisted or sometimes small columnar in shape. Their limbs are sturdy, with well-developed tendons, black or dark brown hooves, and firm hoof texture. The tail is thin, short, and conical. They are mainly distributed within the administrative jurisdiction of Tanggula Mountain Town, Golmud City. 2. Unique Internal Quality Indicators: The meat has luster and a bright red color, with ivory-white fat; the muscle structure is tight, with a solid feel, strong muscle fiber toughness, clear and resilient fibers, good elasticity, and immediate recovery from finger pressure indentations; the surface is moist but not sticky; there is no off-odor, and it has the unique aroma of fresh lamb; the broth is transparent and clear, with fat congealing on the surface, offering the inherent fragrance and umami of lamb soup. Tanggula Tibetan Sheep meat contains ≥22% total protein, ≥2% fat, and ≥19% of 17 types of amino acids. With high protein, low fat, a complete range of amino acids, ideal appearance traits, and excellent storage stability, it is an ideal raw material for producing high-quality lamb. 3. Safety Requirements: As Tanggula Mountain Town is located in the central part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in the core area of the Sanjiangyuan Protection Zone, known as China’s “Water Tower,” the area has no industrial or mining enterprises. Therefore, pollution to the local ecological environment and impact on the Tanggula Yak production area is nearly zero. Consequently, the air quality of the Tanggula Tibetan Sheep breeding environment complies with GB3095 standards; drinking water meets the NY2057 non-polluting livestock drinking water quality standard; and soil environmental quality meets the HJ 568 – 2010 livestock and poultry breeding environment evaluation specifications.