Efficiency of conversion of food to wool. V. Comparison of the apparent digestive ability of sheep selected for high clean wool weight with that of sheep from a random control group

Abstract

Two groups of sheep genetically different in clean wool production have been compared for their apparent ability to digest the dry matter, organic matter, energy, nitrogen, and sulphur of a range of pelleted and chaffed diets.

Differences between groups were small, variable. and in no instance significant. It is concluded that the enhanced efficiency of conversion of food to wool of the high producers is probably related to improved metabolism of nutrients after absorption from the alimentary tract.