Stable isotope analyses were conducted on faunal remains from the site of Măgura-Boldul lui Moş Ivănuş with the objective of characterizing the environments and seasonality of husbandry in the earliest Neolithic (Gura Baciului-Cârcea/Starčevo-Criş I) of southern Romania. Results from bone collagen analysis indicate extensive herding strategies for cattle and pigs. However, sequential analysis in tooth enamel also provides evidence for winter leaf foddering in one bovine, potentially kept by the settlement over winter. In some instances, sheep were fed a 13C-enriched resource in late winter, which may have also coincided with lactation. It could not be determined whether this contribution was from C3 or C4 plants. Although isolated, these findings may be important in evaluating how early agricultural communities dealt with environmental constraints. These results are also interpreted with reference to the models of intensive mixed farming systems recently proposed by Bogaard (2004) and Halstead (2006).

Navajo-Churro sheep have been part of the subsistence of three cultures in the Southwest of the United States for over 400 years. These cultures include Navajo (a Native American nation), Hispanic and Anglo. The Navajo-Churro breed nearly became extinct in the 1950s to 1970s, but farsighted conservation programmes were then begun which involved all three cultures in saving this unique breed. Navajo-Churro sheep are a distinctive double-coated Criollo breed. The fleece type is superbly suited to the textiles produced in the local region and which are famous throughout the United States for their unique qualities and cultural relevance. A registry system involving ongoing inspection of each generation assures that the type remains traditional. Census numbers are now close to 3000 head as the breed moves beyond its original homeland to become more widely established throughout the United States.

A research carried out in the research station for several years on the reproduction of Burundese sheep and goats showed that these two species reached an interesting productivity estimated at, respectively, 25 and 33 kg of live weight/year for females. The figures in rural environment are lower, ranging between 9 and 27 kg. The wide heterogeneity of the individual performances suggests the possibility to consider a breeding programme based on selection milk production and growth rate in the two species in addition to prolificity in sheep.