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

Abstract

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.