The Mora Romagnola is an authocthonous pig breed of the Ravenna province (Emilia Romagna, Italy); it is unknown if once it was exported to other parts of Europe.
Actually only 18 animals are surviving in one herd near Faenza (Ravenna) and no other surviving animals are known in Italy, while in 1949 there had been more than 22.000.
The name "Mora" ("blackberry", or "mulberry" or "moor") was adopted in 1942 in reference to its colouring, very dark brown with coppery hue; soars have ridge of thicker, longer bristles along the back; the skin is dark grey, with underside of a rosy colour. The young have hair of a fulvous colour, which becomes darker as they grow.
The Mora Romagnola has a typical long body with average height of 80 cm (sows are taller than boars) and average mature weight of 250-300 kg; the head is long with straight profile and forward-growing ears that cover a long, tapering snout. Nowadays the sows are not very prolific (5-6 piglets for primiparours and 9 for multiparous) and have a poor supply of milk for their litters.
There were several varieties at one time: the widespread "Forlivese", the light red "Faentina" and the darker "Riminese". Until mid '50's all varieties were crossed with local inbred strains of Large White (the "San Lazzaro" and "Bastianella"); the hybrid offspring was known as "Fumati" (smoky). Like most old-fashioned breeds, the Mora is quite prone to becoming fat, but it is vigorous and well adapted to outdoor systems of management being an excellent grazer, but a late developer.
The Dipartimento di Scienze Zootecniche of the Università di Torino (Italy) and WWF Italy have recently started an attempt to conserv the Mora Romagnola. Three sows and one boar have been bought near Faenza (Ravenna) from the owner of the last herd, Mr. Mario Lazzari.
Our initial program consists of two steps:
1) a collection of data, books, articles, pictures and other news about the Mora Romagnola;
2) the search of other animals through the world (pure or crossbreds). If you have any information please contact us at the following address.

Please help us to save the Mora Romagnola!

Thank you.

Dr. Ivo Zoccarato - Università di Torino
Dr. Riccardo Fortina - WWF Italy

Dipartimento di Scienze Zootecniche - Università di Torino
Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44. 10195 Grugliasco (TO).
ITALY Tel. 0039011 - 6708575 or 6708577 Fax 0039011 - 6708563
Email: ivo.zoccarato@agraria.unito.it or riccardo.fortina@agraria.unito.it

WWF Italia - Delegazione Piemonte e Valle d'Aosta
Via Peyron, 10. 10143 Torino.
ITALY Tel. 0039011 - 4731746 Fax 0039011 - 4373944
Email: fortina@aerre.it or mc1750@mclink.it