Study on the Diversity of Products Obtained from Sheep in the Current Bioeconomy Context

A concern for the growth and utilization of sheep is raised since ancient times in Romania. The development of livestock sector is determined by the climate and the geographical configuration with the availability of grasslands maintained by transhumants. The pastoralism founded a domestic processing of milk, wool and leather products with positive socio-economic implications on material and spiritual life of local people. The sheep breeds prevailed until the 20th century were ‘Tucana’ and ‘Stogose’ and, to a lesser extent, ‘Tisigai’. These breeds, generally unimproved, have a profound fitness and resistance to harsh weather conditions. These breeds were also fit for traveling long routes in search of food. The utilization of a sheep breed is determined by the national economic demand, productivity potential of the breed, available, technology, improvement and utilization methods of the breed. The said sheep breeds were appreciated because they produce a diversity of products having superior nutritional or economic values. It is known especially for its white wool, which is used in domestic industry for making clothes and other products including artifacts, textiles, Persian carpets, etc. Considering the local natural conditions and the national economic demands, the sheep husbandry was assisted continuously to support intensive and multilateral development producing the necessary raw materials for the textile, fur, leather and food industry. Both research and the technical developments have contributed to the zootechnical field geared to resolve the problems appeared in the development of sheep. The scientific knowledge and expertise need to be combined with application skills leading to the development and modernization of complex technologies helping growth of sheep products.