Awang sheep [Xizang Gongjue specialty]

What is Awang sheep? Authentic Xizang Gongjue specialty: Awang sheep? This article is a special article that introduces in detail the special product of Xizang Gongjue, Awang Sheep. It was compiled by the editorial team of China Specialty Website after consulting and collecting relevant information about Awang Sheep. The reading time of the full text is about 7 minutes, mainly including the basic introduction of Awang Sheep and what nutritional value does Awang Sheep have? What are the product features of Awang Sheep? Awang Sheep's awards and honors

Basic introduction of Awang sheep

Awang sheep is a local primitive breed with characteristics of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. After long-term closed breeding and folk natural selection, it is a local sheep group with strong survival ability and tolerance to rough and cold. On the vast grasslands in the southeastern part of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, there lives a unique breed of sheep. Their back hair is mainly white, and their head, neck, and abdomen are all brown. The horns of the sheep are twisted outward, and local herdsmen affectionately call these sheep "Awang"

Awang sheep is a characteristic breed of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and one of China's precious livestock resources. Awang sheep have the characteristics of adapting to living in environments with high altitude, low temperature, large temperature difference between day and night, short grass growth period, and low oxygen pressure. Due to the long-term selection of this special ecological environment, Awang sheep have extremely strong survival ability and are tolerant to rough and cold weather. Awang sheep are produced on high-altitude grasslands without modern industrial pollution and are authentic "green food". At the same time, sheep farming is also the economic foundation and pillar industry of high-altitude pastoral areas. The sustainable development of its production is of great significance for improving the living standards of herdsmen

Awang sheep are mainly distributed in and around Gongjue County, with a total of 150800 in stock. In the closed breeding area consisting of 12 townships including Awang, Haga, Molo, and Lato in Gongjue County, a population size of 113618 Awang sheep has been formed, and a three-level "pyramid shaped" breeding fertilizer system has been established with 4 core groups as the backbone, 24 basic groups as the hub, and 649 expanded breeding groups of breeders and sheep herds as the basis. Awang sheep are a unique genetic resource in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and adjacent areas, which can adapt to the special ecological environment of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and make full use of the grassland resources for animal production. They are closely related to the production, life, culture, and other aspects of the Tibetan people, and will play a very important role in increasing production and income for the masses. The sheep raised by the herdsmen in Gongjue County are called "Awang sheep" by the locals. This type of sheep has a tall and sturdy physique, with white fur as the main coat. The head, neck, and abdomen of the sheep are all brown, and the horns are curved backwards. Due to its good leather, tender meat, and no gamey taste, Awang sheep are deeply loved by the locals. The Awang sheep, which have been bred for thousands of years, are now not only a characteristic brand of Changdu City, but also a backbone industry that drives the masses to lift themselves out of poverty and become prosperous

The average protein content of lamb is 19.6-25.4g/100g, the glutamic acid content is 2.9-4.0%, the average calcium content is 69.5-110mg/kg, the average selenium content is 0.077mg/kg, and the cholesterol content is not higher than 65mg/100g

(1) Physical appearance: Awang sheep have a tall and sturdy physique, with well proportioned body parts and a rectangular body. The hindquarters are more developed, and the fur is mainly white. Most of the sheep have brown heads, necks, and underbelly, with a few being black. There are corresponding brown or black spots on the inner back of the thighs, and corresponding brown or black spots on the limbs. The head is of medium size, the neck is of moderate length, and both male and female sheep have horns. The male sheep's horns are bent and twisted backwards or outwards, and the female sheep's horns are bent and twisted diagonally, extending downwards and upwards on both sides, forming an inverted "eight" shape. The nose bridge is slightly raised, and some sheep have meat whiskers under their jaws. The back and waist are straight, and the limbs are long with solid hooves. Strong grazing ability, thin and flexible lips, and gentle temperament. Adult male sheep have a body height of about 69-72 centimeters, a body length of about 79-85 centimeters, a body weight of about 73.65 ± 1.12 kilograms, and a carcass weight of 31.27 ± 0.87 kilograms. Adult female sheep have a body height of about 65-68 centimeters, a body length of about 69-72 centimeters, a body weight of about 44.9 ± 2.01 kilograms, and a carcass weight of 29.54 ± 0.63 kilograms; Newborn male lambs weigh about 3.72-4.06 kilograms, while female lambs weigh about 3.54-3.92 kilograms

(2) Lamb: Net meat yield is about 41.08 ± 0.36%, 41.28 ± 0.59%; The color of lamb is dark red, with obvious layering of fat and muscle. The fat is milky white to light yellow, the muscle is plump and compact, the meat is fresh and tender, and the gamey taste is small

Awards and honors of Awang Sheep

In the first batch of registered agricultural products with geographical indications in 2019, Awang Sheep was listed