ASSAF BREED
Assaf breed
The Assaf sheep is a breed of domestic sheep which was originated from the Middle-east. It was developed by crossbreeding the Awassi and East Friesian sheep. It is a dual-purpose animal and raised for both meat and milk production. But it is used primarily for milk production. Along with the availability in its native area, the breed has also spread to other Mediterranean countries.
The Assaf sheep are raised and managed under an intensive production system in Israel (involving weaning lambs at birth, rearing them artificially, and milking the ewes after parturition). Researchers of the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization started the development project in 1955, aiming to improve the fecundity of the Awassi sheep breed. And the Assaf sheep is a combination of 3/8 East Friesian and 5/8 Awassi blood.
ASSAF
CROSSBREEDING THE AWASSI AND
EAST FRIESIAN
SHEEP
DUAL-PURPOSE
Breed Purpose Mainly milk, but are also prized for quality meat production
Special Notes Very hardy and strong animals, well adapted to their local climates, also do well in some other countries, most of the Israeli sheep breeders have adapted these animals for producing milk, well adapted to semi-extensive to the extensive management system, the ewes are good milk producers, they produce around 450 kg milk per year, the ewes approximately have 3 lambing in 2 years,
Breed Size Medium
Horns Generally polled
Climate Tolerance Almost all climates
Color Mainly white
