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

Abstract

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.