Sheep and goat production in the Slovak Republic

Sheep and goat farming in Slovakia has changed over the last 10 years. The number of sheep has decreased and the structure of sheep production has changed. Several foreign breeds have been imported for the improvement of prolificacy, milk and meat production. Meat and milk production play major roles in the incomes of farmers today. Improved Valaschian sheep, most Tsigai sheep and some Merino sheep are milked in Slovakia. Most ewes are milked by hand and milk is processed into different kinds of cheese. Special meat breeds of sheep and crossbreds are tested for meat quality. Currently several breeds of goats are bred in Slovakia: the White Shorthaired, the Alpine, the Cashmere and the Angora. Most goats are milked. The Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders and The State Breeding Institute play important roles in small ruminant breeding.