Compendium of conservation and production of local animal genetic resources: Pantaneiro sheep

Abstract

Pantaneiro sheep have peculiar characteristics, they are wool animals, but they do not have wool in the belly and lower limbs, they are sexually precocious and do not present reproductive seasonality, they produce high-yielding carcasses, they have the skin of intermediate characteristics, among hair sheep and wool sheep. They are highly adapted to the conditions of the Pantanal Biome since their genetic formation is the result of centuries of natural selection since the arrival of the first sheep with the colonizers. This article gathers information from research carried out in the last fifteen years with this genetic resource. Morphometric measures and standardization of the breed were evaluated, taking into account the genetic origin, color, head, ears, neck, trunk, skin, udder, extremities, fleece, tail and testicles, followed by zootechnical indices and the productive characteristics of the meat. Milk, wool and skin, highlighting the Pantaneiro genetic group as polyvalent. The Pantaneiro sheep breed is a genetic option for ranchers because it has a productive potential for economic exploitation.