Wool production of Merino sheep fed daily or twice weekly on oats or lupins

Abstract

Fine wool Merino wethers 2 years old, were penned indoors in groups of ten and offered one of three rations: oat grain, lupin grain, or a mixture of oats (70%) and lupins (30%). The rations were fed at maintenance level and were offered either daily or twice a week for 21 5 d. Frequency of feeding did not significantly effect the digestibility, liveweight, wool production or fibre diameter. Liveweight, wool yield and fibre diameter did not differ with diet but sheep fed the oats and lupin ration grew more wool (P < 0.05) than those fed oats or lupins alone.