Breed: Rasa Aragonesa
Species: Sheep
Weight: it can be considered that adult rams will weigh 50-70 kg. and ewes 35-40 kg., for the Monegrina ecotype. Other strains will have rams at 65-85 kg. and ewes at 40-50 k
Description: The Rasa Aragonesa breed, which owes its name to the region where it is of most importance, as well as to the length of its wool ('rasa' = threadbare), contains sheep of a subconvex profile, mediolinear proportions, and variable size according to the areas it inhabits. It is raised mainly for its meat.
The head of the breed is free of wool and neither sex has horns. Wool-free areas are covered with fine, shiny white hair. The size is variable depending on the type and areas where raised.
Ecotypes.-Various ecotypes can be distinguished among the Rasa Aragonesa, whose names proceed from the area they inhabit: Rasa Monegrina (from Los Monegros); Turolense (province of Teruel); Ansotana (Anso Valley). It is, however, true that they do not pertain exactly to these areas. Another ecotype must be added to this group, one that is modern and that has evolved from the others, and which lives in the fertile areas of the region. This new strain, called Mejorada ('Improved') is increasing the census considerably, in some areas endangering its purity due to numerous instances of uncontrollable crossbreedings that are taking place.
The Monegrina ecotype, whose numbers are currently low, is smaller as a result of the quite harsh environment in which it is raised. On the other hand, the Turolense is bigger, with elongated shapes and greater length of extremities. The Mejorada strain is more compact. Yet the sharpest differences are to be found between the three types mentioned and the Ansotana, considering the characteristics of the fleece of this latter strain, being formed of elongated and pointed strands, with long and uneven fibers. This has led to the situation whereby the Roncales variety in Navarra, very similar to the Ansotana, is called the 'Navarran Churra'.
History: Traditionally, and as defined by certain ethnologists, Spanish sheep breeds of medium quality wool are considered to have originated from the crossbreeding of fine-wool strains (Merino) and those with coarse wool (Churra and Lacha). This viewpoint is overly simplistic. Although it is possible that with the origin of the Rasa Aragonesa there may have been a certain Merino and Churra component, it is necessary to look for the presence of other stock in its formation. Along these lines, note must be taken of primitive cirtoid sheep, of white color and medium quality wool, which gave rise to a group of French breeds who show notable coincidences with the Rasa Aragonesa (the Lacaune, Central Mountain White, Prealpine, etc.); it seems possible that this same breed, as it spread toward the south, was the originator of the breed in question.
The Rasa Aragonesa has been influenced by other breeding stock, which in times past was dedicated to improving the wool, a product that received special attention. For a good number of years, its selection was the focus of work carried out by the Regional Wool Producing Center of Aragon. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, as its meat value has increased and its wool value decreased, work with the breed has been directed toward the industrial former quality. The result is that there has been frequent industrial crossbreeding with rams of meat-producing specialty. In view of this situation, the Genealogical Register for the Rasa Aragonesa was established by Resolution of the General Office of Agricultural Production, June 30, 1981, with the goal of intensifying selection, while protecting and promoting purebred offspring. This Register is kept by the National Association of Breeders of Select Rasa Aragonesa Livestock, as a Collaborating Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Production.
Uses: meat, wool