Tan

Tan sheep, also called Tan Yang or Ningxia Tan sheep, are a Chinese landrace associated with the semi-arid grasslands and Yellow River region of Ningxia and neighboring areas. The breed is valued for lamb pelts with fine wave-like curls, while adults also provide mutton and coarse to medium wool. Most are white or light colored, sometimes with darker markings on the head or ears, and selection has long favored animals that can graze sparse steppe vegetation.

In practice, Tan sheep are tied to dryland grazing systems where pasture condition, lambing season, and supplemental feed determine both pelt and meat quality. Producers selecting for pelts look at curl pattern, brightness, skin size, and lamb age at harvest, while meat flocks emphasize growth and toughness. Stewardship of the breed is closely linked to managing fragile rangeland, preventing indiscriminate crossing, and keeping local lines adapted to Ningxia's climate.