Selection of diet by sheep grazing semi-arid pastures on the Riverine Plain. 2. A cotton bush (Kochia aphylla) - grassland (Stipa variabilis-Danthonia caespitosa) community

Abstract

The diet selected by Merino sheep grazing a cotton bush (Kochia aphylla)-grassland community was determined by analysing extrusa from wethers fitted with oesophageal fistula. Visual assessments were combined with hand clipped samples to determine the amount of forage available. In winter and spring the major constituents of the diet were the grasses Danthonia caespitosa and Lolium rigidum Gaudich., and the herbs Hypochaeris spp. and Hedypnois cretica (L.) Willd. In summer the grasses Sporobolus caroli Mez and Chloris truncata R. Br. were selected. The various species of Chenopodiaceae were largely ignored. A practical application of this information is presented in which it is suggested that the more acceptable, but short-lived spring forage can be fully utilized and the relatively unacceptable, but drought resistant, species of Chenopodiaceae be conserved for use during stress periods.