Bergamasca

Bergamasca is a large Italian sheep breed from the Bergamo area and Alpine foothill systems, recognized by a heavy frame, white fleece, and long drooping ears. It has been used for meat and milk in its home region and has influenced Italian meat-sheep improvement programs. The breed is not a finewool specialist; its importance lies in body size, maternal capacity, and adaptation to transhumant or semi-intensive systems.

Flock managers value Bergamasca sheep for lamb growth and ewe milk, but the size of the breed means nutrition, lambing supervision, and sound legs deserve attention. Ewes may fit commercial lamb production or local dairy-meat systems, while rams can add scale to crossbred lambs where markets reward frame. Wool is usually secondary. Breeders should preserve regional type and background because Bergamasca influence can appear in composites even when purebred records are thin.