The Association for the Promotion and Protection of the Brogna Sheep was founded in May 2012 thanks to the involvement of breeders, industry technicians, restaurateurs, and processors, with the aim of preventing the extinction of this indigenous breed, a cultural biodiversity heritage of Lessinia.
Its intention is to promote and enhance the products obtained from this ancient animal, whose history is inextricably linked to the city of Verona and the surrounding area. It is an agile animal, with good prolificacy, and is the only indigenous breed of the Veronese mountains that has survived extinction. It produces excellent wool which, when processed into fabrics, contributed to the fortune of medieval Verona.
The Brogna sheep is now raised in Lessinia by a few shepherds and, in addition to wool, it produces meat and milk.
The meat of the Brogna sheep is characterized by a delicate flavor that distinctly differs from the typical taste of sheep that is generally found in other breeds. From its milk, which has a particularly high nutritional value, rich in omega 3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids, artisanal ice creams, cheeses, and ricotta are produced. Its wool, considered one of the best indigenous Italian wools, is appreciated for its fineness, but especially for its length and elasticity, characteristics that make it suitable for spinning. Thanks to the "Wool Project," since 2013, the association has been able to gather the fleece from the associated breeders to have it processed in wool companies in Biella. From the processing, yarns are obtained to allow for a wide range of craftsmanship.
The Association is very active, and you can find the products at various events in Lessinia: https://www.pecorabrogna.it/incontriamoci/.
