Drought feeding of sheep. 2. Wool growth and body weight of three types of Merinos on oat based diets supplemented with formaldehyde treated cottonseed meal

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (52) ◽  
pp. 488
Author(s):  
DG Saville ◽  
AC Gleeson ◽  
WR McManus
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Significant Response ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Body Weights

Samples of ewes from three flocks at Trangie were drought fed grain or grain plus varying levels of formaldehyde treated or untreated cottonseed meal for up to 26 weeks. Body weights and clean wool production were measured during this period. Large differences in wool growth were observed between sheep fed oat or wheat diets. Untreated cottonseed meal stimulated wool growth but at least 25 per cent was needed for a significant response. Above this level little further response in wool growth was obtained. Treatment of the cottonseed meal with formaldehyde had no significant effect on wool growth or body weight at any level of supplementation. Possible reasons for this failure in response are discussed.

Drought feeding of sheep. 1. Wool growth and body weight responses to protein supplementation of grain based diets in three strains of Merinos

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (49) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
DG Saville ◽  
AC Gleeson ◽  
WR McManus
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Peanut Meal ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth

The effect of diet and strain of sheep on wool production and body weight during drought feeding was investigated. Collinsville, Bungaree, and Peppin strains of Merino were offered either oat or wheat diets alone or supplemented with cottonseed meal or peanut meal at two levels. The Collinsville and Bungaree strains produced more wool more efficiently than Peppin Merinos. Their ranking on wool production was similar to that at pasture. Up to 30 per cent more wool was produced by sheep fed oat diets. Further responses were gained by adding either cottonseed meal or peanut meal. Sheep fed cottonseed meal produced the most wool, this being obtained at 25 per cent supplementation with oat diets and 50 per cent supplementation with wheat diets. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

Maintenance rations for Merino sheep. IV. The performance of adult Merino ewes fed daily and weekly at three levels of energy intake

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK Briggs ◽  
MC Franklin ◽  
GL McClymont
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean

Dry adult Merino ewes were fed at daily or weekly intervals on oat grain at levels which provided 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 lb starch equivalent (S.E.) per sheep per week. The experimental periods were 223, 223, and 181 days respectively. Differences between the mean body weights of the ewes a t the three levels of feeding were highly significant (P < 0.001). Body weight varied only slightly and no losses occurred in ewes fed weekly at the rate of 4.0 lb S.E. per head. Ewes fed daily a t this level had a significantly greater mean body weight (P < 0.001) a t the conclusion of the 223-day experimental period. The addition of a sodium chloride supplement did not improve the body weight or wool production of ewes fed weekly a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. The mean body weight of ewes fed at the levels of 3.0 or 2.0 lb S.E. per head declined over the first 12 and 18 respectively and thereafter remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences at these levels of feeding between groups fed daily and weekly in respect of body weight, wool production, or survival rates. Ewes fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. grew significantly more wool than those given 3.0 lb S.E. (P < 0.001). Losses were negligible in all groups except those fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. In these groups there were few deaths in the first 16 weeks, but in the subsequent 10 weeks losses totalled 17.1 per cent. Ewes fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. consumed their rations at a significantly slower rate (P < 0.01) than did those fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E.

Effect of abomasal infusions of methionine, casein, and starch plus methionine on the wool production of Merino wethers fed on lucerne or wheaten chaff

1974 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 945 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Dove ◽  
GE Robards
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Nitrogen Excretion ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Quality Diet ◽  
Urinary Nitrogen Excretion ◽  
Urinary Nitrogen

Merino wethers received daily abomasal infusions of (a) 2.6 g DL-methionine, (b) 80 g casein protein or (c) 2.6 g DL-methionine plus 87 g maize starch, while consuming either lucerne chaff or wheaten chaff. Responses in wool growth, nitrogen metabolism and body weight were measured. Sheep fed on lucerne chaff had a higher urinary nitrogen excretion and nitrogen retention than those fed on wheaten chaff regardless of the presence or type of infusion. The infusion of methionine did not markedly alter these parameters from their original levels on either diet. On both diets, casein infusion led to increased urinary nitrogen excretion and nitrogen retention. Compared with sheep given starch plus methionine infusions, those given casein had higher urinary nitrogen excretion and nitrogen retention. Changes in fleece-free body weight gain followed a similar pattern. There were no pronounced differences in faecal nitrogen excretion. Regardless of the presence or type of infusion, sheep fed on lucerne grew more wool than those on wheaten chaff. On both diets, all infusions were accompanied by higher wool growths than on the basal diet alone. The effect of the casein infusion, compared with methionine infusion, was apparent only in sheep on wheaten chaff. Wool growth rates in sheep infused with starch plus methionine were not higher than the rates in the same sheep infused with methionine alone. The results suggest that the wool production of sheep will show a greater response to abomasal supplements of sulphur amino acids or casein if they are consuming a high quality diet such as lucerne chaff, compared with a low quality diet such as wheaten chaff. The apparent failure of starch infusion to stimulate wool growth above the level obtained with methionine infusions alone is discussed in relation to the interaction of protein and energy in the growth of wool.

Selection for weaning weight in Merino sheep. 3. Maintenance requirements and the efficiency of conversion of feed to wool in mature ewes

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (25) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
WA Pattie ◽  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Gross Efficiency ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Unit Body Weight ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Feed Costs ◽  
Maintenance Requirements

Net and gross efficiencies of wool growth have been estimated for ewes from three Trangie selection flocks, one selected for high weaning weight (Weight Plus), one for low weaning weight (Weight Minus), and a random control flock. Weight Plus ewes had 15 and 11 per cent heavier body weights than Weight Minus ewes at maintenance and unlimited levels of feeding respectively. At each level, feed intake was proportional to body weight both between and within flocks. In addition, the feed costs of a unit gain and loss of body weight were the same for each flock at each level of feeding. The Weight Plus ewes grew 7 and 10 per cent more wool than Weight Minus ewes at maintenance and unlimited levels of feeding. Consequently, there was only a small difference between the flocks in efficiency of conversion of feed to wool at maintenance, and there was no difference on unlimited intake. These results indicate that there is no genetic correlation between weaning weight and efficiency of conversion of feed to wool. At the three levels of controlled feeding (543, 725, 902 grams of dry matter a day) there were no differences in gross efficiency of wool growth, either between flocks or between levels within flocks, despite differing changes in body weight. During unlimited feeding, gross efficiency of wool growth was lower than that during controlled feeding. This was due to a reduced response in wool growth, as feed costs per unit body weight change were constant. As both production and feed intake changed in proportion to body weight, it is concluded that attention to weaning weight has little place in a Merino breeding program aimed at increasing wool production. However, selection for high weaning weight may be a useful tool in selecting ewes for crossbreeding because of the associated increases in milk production and lamb growth rate.

scholarly journals A Relationship Between Sulphur Content of Wool and Wool Production by Merino Sheep

1967 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Reis ◽  
DA Tunks ◽  
OB Williams ◽  
AJ Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Sulphur Content ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Index ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The Relationship

The sulphur content of wool from 66 Peppin Merino wethers maintained together at pasture was measured in midside staples representing 49 weeks growth. The distribution of sulphur values was normal with a mean of 3�43 % and a range of 3�08-3�92 %. The sulphur content of the wool was inversely related to wool production among these sheep. There were no significant differences in the relationship when wool production was expressed as fleece weight index (F.W.I.), i.e. clean fleece weight/body weight (r = -0�48), as clean fleece weight (r = -0�42), or as wool growth per unit area of skin (r = - 0�37). The mean sulphur content of wool from sheep with the 10 highest values for F.W.I. was 3�27%, compared with a mean of 3 �55% sulphur for wool from sheep with the 10 lowest values for F.W.I.

Relative efficiencies of conversion of feed to wool at three levels of nutrition in flocks genetically different in wool production

1965 ◽  
Vol 5 (19) ◽  
pp. 390 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Williams ◽  
RJ Winston
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Differential Response ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
High Level ◽  
Average Body

The efficiency of conversion of feed to wool was measured with adult ewes at three levels of nutrition. During the period at which each level was fed, changes in body weight and feed intake were minimized. These ewes were chosen as representative of the total drops of three flocks, one of which had been selected for high clean fleece weight (Fleece Plus), one for low clean fleece weight (Fleece Minus) and a control flock selected at random (Random). The intermediate and high levels of nutrition were intended to maintain 20 per cent and 44 per cent higher body weights than at the low level of nutrition. The average intakes of lucerne pellets at the low, .intermediate, and high levels of nutrition were approximately 500, 800, and 950 grams a day respectively. The average body weights at these intakes were 30, 36, and 45 kg and the average gains in body weight were -11, +7, and +16 grams a day during the 18 weeks of measurement at each level. There were no differences between the flocks in these measurements. The relative wool production of the Fleece Plus, Random, and Fleece Minus flocks changed between levels of nutrition, being 101 : 100 : 96 at the low level, 120 : 100 : 88 at the intermediate and 121 : 100 : 96 at the high level of nutrition. Part of this differential response could be attributed to different feed intakes between the flocks and part to a smaller decrease in the efficiency of the Fleece Plus flock with increasing level of nutrition. The relative net efficiencies measured at the intermediate level were 116 : 100 : 86.5 for the Fleece Plus, Random, and Fleece Minus flocks respectively.

Effects of defaunation of the rumen and supplementation with amino acids on the wool production of housed Saxon Merinos. 4. Cottonseed meal, analogues of methionine and avoparcin

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Cottle
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Ciliate Protozoa

Ten groups, each of 6 superfine Merino wethers were individually penned indoors and hand-fed at maintenance level a ration of 70% oats and 30% chopped lucerne hay (w/w). The groups of sheep were fed 3 different supplementary pellets rotationally during three 9-week periods. Each group received 3 of the following 7 pellets: (1) control, (2) cottonseed meal (CSM), (3) CSM plus hydroxymethyl-methionine (MEP), (4) CSM plus methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA), (5) CSM plus avoparcin (AV), (6) CSM plus MEP plus AV, and (7) CSM plus MHA plus AV. The rations were offered 3 times a week. Half of the sheep had no rumen ciliate protozoa. Wool production was measured during the 7-month period. Defaunation resulted in a 6.9% increase in greasy fleece weight and a 7.7% increase in clean wool production. Average wool fibre diameter increased by 0.6 pm in defaunated sheep. The clean wool growth responses compared with sheep fed the control pellets were 4, 5, 12, 0, 3 and 9% respectively for sheep fed pellets 2-7. The most cost-effective supplement was the CSM plus MHA pellet, which increased clean wool production by 0.5 glday compared with sheep fed the CSM pellet but did not significantly affect wool quality. It was concluded that supplements containing MHA could be economically fed to housed superfine Merino wethers ('Sharlea'), but MHA appears to be relatively inefficient in supplying methionine to the intestines.

Effects of defaunation of the rumen and supplementation with amino acids on the wool production of housed Saxon Merinos. 3. Cottonseed meal and hydroxymethyl-methionine

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 699 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Cottle
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Diameter Ratio ◽  
Design Experiment ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Ciliate Protozoa

In experiment 1 six groups, each of 10 superfine Merino wethers were individually penned indoors and hand-fed chopped lucerne hay with either control pellets, cottonseed meal pellets (CSM) or cottonseed meal plus hydroxymethyl-methionine pellets (CSMEP). Following their shearing, the 6 groups in experiment 2 were hand-fed 1 of 3 chopped lucerne hay:oat rations [75: 25,50: 50,25: 75% (w/w)]. Each sheep was also fed either control pellets (25 g/day) or CSMEP pellets (75 g/day) in a cross-over design experiment. In both experiments, the rations were fed at maintenance level and were offered 3 times a week. Half of the sheep had no rumen ciliate protozoa. In experiments 1 and 2, wool production was measured during a 4 and 6 month period respectively. In experiment 1, defaunation resulted in a 6% increase in clean wool production on the unsupplemented chopped lucerne hay ration. Inclusion of CSM and CSMEP pellets resulted in clean wool growth responses of 16% and 19% respectively. Unacceptable increases in fibre diameter were associated with the increased wool production. In experiment 2, the clean wool response to defaunation was highest (12%) on the 75% chopped lucerne hay ration, when the control pellet was fed. Inclusion of the CSMEP pellet resulted in clean wool growth responses of 0.73, 0.98 and 0.99 g/day in sheep fed on the 75,50 and 25% chopped lucerne hay rations respectively. The wool production responses due to the CSMEP pellet were associated with increases in fibre diameter (0.3 �m), length (4 mm/year) and length/diameter ratio (0.4 �m/day.�m) of the wool grown. It was concluded that CSMEP pellets are best fed with a mixed ration containing more grain than chopped lucerne hay. The wool growth response to feeding hydroxymethyl-methionine was considered uneconomic.

Seasonal fluctuations in wool growth in south Western Australia.

1961 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Stewart ◽  
RJ Moir ◽  
PG Schinckel
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Climatic Environment

The growth rate of wool was measured at monthly intervals for a period of two years in four groups totalling forty Merino sheep, maintained under typical farm conditions in a Mediterranean climatic environment. Marked seasonal fluctuation in wool growth was found in all sheep. The highest level of clean wool production, 85 attained in the spring months, was nearly three times that of the lowest level, which occurred in the autumn. The rate of wool growth fluctuated independently of body weight. Wool growth fell steep4 while bob weight was maintained; wool growth subsequently rose sharply while body weight increased relatively slowly. The factors responsible for the observed fluctuation in the rate of wool growth are discussed and the conclusion reached that lack of useful energy and protein, in the summer and autumn grazing is probably the principal cause of the decline in rate of wool growth in these months.

Sheep production on a Danthonia caespitosa-Stipa variabilis grassland in response to fertilizers and deferred grazing

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (91) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
GJ Tupper
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Palatable Species ◽  
Stocking Rates

The effects of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers and deferred spring grazing were assessed over five years on the body weight and wool production of Merino wether weaners grazing a Danthonia caespitosa-Stipa variabilis grassland at three stocking rates. Seasonal forage availability, botanical composition of forage, body weight and wool growth of sheep, were measured. Two years after grazing treatments ceased, and three years after the final addition of fertilizer, further measurements were made on the vegetation. There were very few differences in plant and animal response between the continuously and deferred grazing systems. Forage availability increased on fertilized grassland at all stocking rates by up to 50 per cent. Danthonia caespitosa, Stipa variabilis, perennial chenopods, and annual herbs contributed to the increase in forage present. Medicago polymorpha became prominent on all fertilized grassland. At 2.0 and 2.7 sheep ha-' without fertilizer, and 2.7 sheep ha-1 with fertilizer, the relative contribution by the more palatable species decreased and Eriochlamys behrii increased greatly. After grazing treatments ceased, this trend was reversed. Sheep body weight and wool growth rates were increased on fertilized grassland. In September 1971, at 2.0 sheep ha-1, the body weights of sheep on unfertilized and fertilized grassland were 35.0 and 45.2 kg, respectively, and the clean fleece weights were 3.2 and 4.3 kg per sheep, respectively. Animal production from this grassland can be increased with the addition of fertilizer to the grassland and by increasing the stocking rate by about 50 per cent above the district average of 1.2 sheep per hectare.

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