140 sheep
80 pecore (milking)
30 pecore (nursing)
25 agnelli
5 montone
These massese are from the nearby hillside town of Masse. Their distinctive black coats are shaved (la tostatura) twice a year and the wool is thrown away because its naturally dark color has fallen out of fashion.
In the winter months the sheep eat hay and a variety of grains. When March comes the sheep are able to graze on fresh grass for the first time in months. The first cheese of the season made from this milk is called "Marzolino."
Stefano tells me that his sheep have a "boca buona" (refined palate) and refuse to eat anything that isn't natural, especially genetically modified corn.
<-- sognando (adocchi aperti)
(dreaming with eyes open)
<
-- il occhio
(the eyes)
<-- indifferente (indifferent)
<-- la corna (the horns)
<-- diffidente (diffident)
Sheep don't bite (so I'm told).
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