Sheep breeds
Rava - Noire du Velay - Grivette - Bizet

 Traits and performances

The Massif Central is the birthplace of several hardy sheep breeds other than the Blanche du Massif Central, all of which are overseen by the Races Ovines des Massifs Breeding Organization. The Bizet comes from a poor mid-range mountain area (Cantal, Haute Loire), the Grivette from Isère, although it has become current around its native home region, the Noire du Velay from the high volcanic plateaus of Velay and the Rava from the volcanic heights of the Auvergne.

What characterizes all of them is their adaptation to the ruggedness of the Massif Central region. They must be able to handle the alternation between dry summers and harsh winters. Ewes have the capacity to draw on their energy reserves if forage becomes scarce, then to rebuild them quickly during milder periods.

These breeds are also characterized by good maternal qualities (easy lambing, natural capacity for out-of-season lambing), which allow them to easily produce and suckle lambs resulting from crossbreeding with specialized meat-breed rams.

In addition to these common qualities, each breed has its own assets. The Rava is particularly well-adapted to out-of-season lambing, which enables an increased lambing rhythm, and its maternal qualities (easy lambing, suckling and nursing ability, acceptance of adoption) are highly appreciated.

The Bizet has a very social disposition, which facilitates flock handling, and displays a good level of hardiness, in particular through its ability to cover wide distances.

As for the Grivette, it is distinguished by the ease with which it adapts to out-of-season lambing, its productivity and easy adaptability to all farming systems.

Lastly, the Velay Black makes good use of low-productivity areas and these calm ewes with highly developed maternal instincts facilitate lambing management.

 Selection

The hardy Massif Central breeds are primarily selected for their maternal qualities (suckling abilities, prolificacy, out-of-season lambing), which are highly beneficial in F1 crossbreeding with specialized meat-breed rams.

All 6 Massif Central breeds share the same breeding program which is based on on-farm performance recording (ewe reproductive characteristics and suckling abilities), collective management of rams in breeding centers, and artificial insemination. About 40 rams of each breed are evaluated each year.