The Santa Inês breed is the result of a cross between the Bergamácia breed (of Italian origin) and the Morada Nova breed, an animal bred in northeastern Brazil.

Raised on native pastures, the breed can reach 38 kg in 360 days during the puberty period. The recorded ovulation rate is 1.04. Average mating rates are 97%, lambing rates are 84%, and birth weight 42 kg.

In native pastures, the average lambs reach 3.5 kg at birth, 19 kg at 112 days (weaning) and 25 kg at 196 days of age. The mortality rate during weaning is minimal. In natural pasture, animals from 2 to 7 years old, have an average proliferation of 1.25 lambs per lambing. An adult Santa Inês sheep can quickly reach the 85 kg mark (in natural pasture) and, in some cases, 100 kg.

Santa Inês has a low fat content and high quality skin, being widely used in the clothing industry. They are rustic and precocious animals, adaptable to any breeding and pasture system, they integrate easily with the most diverse regions of the country. Females are prolific and with good maternal ability.