Initial observations on lacaune sheep farming in north macedonia

Daniel, SIMAKOSKI and Darko, VELJANOVSKI and Vesna, KARAPETKOVSKA-HRISTOVA and Nikola, PACINOVSKI and Elena, EFTIMOVA (2025) Initial observations on lacaune sheep farming in north macedonia. In: INTERNATIONAL SIIRT CONFERENCE ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, 28-30.2025, Turkey.

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide initial insights into the introduction and management of
Lacaune sheep in North Macedonia. The first purebred animals were imported from Austria
three years ago by the Monastery of St. Panteleimon in Nerezi, Skopje, marking the start of
organized breeding of this population in the country. Several farms in the regions of Kriva
Palanka, Skopje, and Dojran now maintain purebred flocks under intensive housing, with
feeding based exclusively on stall rations and without grazing. These farms remain small (50–
100 animals) and are still in the early stages of their production cycles, so long-term economic
outcomes cannot yet be evaluated. At the same time, crossbreeding programmes with local
autochthonous sheep populations have been introduced on farms in Debar and Bitola. Early
observations show higher milk yield and improved economic prospects compared with current
genotypes. Initial findings suggest that Lacaune sheep adapt well to local environmental and
management conditions. Reports from neighbouring countries indicate similar results and
strengthen expectations for successful acclimatization. Ongoing monitoring of milk production
traits, chemical composition, and hygienic parameters will provide further data during the next
stages of research. Overall, the results indicate that Lacaune sheep have the potential to support
more sustainable sheep farming in North Macedonia. This research direction may also improve
sector competitiveness, encourage modernization, and help renew interest among younger
farmers in sheep production as a viable agricultural activity.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
Subjects:	Scientific Fields (Frascati) > Agricultural Sciences > Animal and diary science Scientific Fields (Frascati) > Agricultural Sciences > Agricultural biotechnology
Divisions:	Faculty of Biotechnical Sciences
Depositing User:	PhD Darko Veljanovski
Date Deposited:	02 Mar 2026 17:12
Last Modified:	02 Mar 2026 17:12
URI:	https://eprints.uklo.edu.mk/id/eprint/11291

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