Comparison of Body Condition, Milk Production and Animal Movements Between Sopravissana and Comisana Sheep: An Approach to Evaluating Breed Suitability for Sustainable Farming in Central Italy

Knowledge of farmed animals’ behavior and productive traits is essential to ensure the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of pastoral activities in a climate change scenario. However, limited information is available on breed differences under semiextensive farming conditions. This study aimed to assess differences between Comisana and Sopravissana sheep in animal movement, body condition, and milk production. From June to October 2023, 40 female sheep were equipped with GPS-dataloggers to monitor movement patterns during free grazing. During the same season, Body Condition Score (BCS) was repeatedly assessed, while milk production was monitored at the breed-group level in 60 lactating ewes. The two groups showed similar movement patterns during free-grazing times. Milk production differed between the two groups and changed over time, with different temporal trajectories between groups; the Sopravissana group showed lower milk production than the Comisana group but a smaller overall reduction over time. Differences in body condition also emerged, with Sopravissana sheep maintaining a significantly higher BCS than Comisana sheep (p < 0.001). Post hoc tests confirmed significant breed differences in both physiological states (lactation/dry) and showed that lactating Sopravissana ewes maintained a higher BCS than dry Comisana ewes (p = 0.0002). These findings suggest that the differences observed in body condition and milk-production dynamics may be relevant when considering breed choice in Mediterranean pastoral systems and could contribute to improving sustainable farm management under increasing environmental challenges.