The effect of three factors on the incidence of tender wool in deferred grazing management

Abstract

The effects of three factors on the incidence of tender wool were studied in a deferred autumn grazing management system with Merino wethers. The factors were age of wethers, level of hand feeding during the deferment period, and rate of release to saved pasture at the end of the deferment period. Sudden release to saved pasture resulted in a higher incidence of tenderness than did gradual release. The incidence of tenderness also increased as the level of hand feeding was reduced. Age had no significant effect.