Selection of diet by sheep grazing semi-arid pastures on the Riverine Plain. 1. A bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria)-cotton bush (Kochia aphylla) community

Abstract

The diet selected by Merino sheep grazing a bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria Hew. ex Benth.)- cottonbush (Kochia aphylla R.Br.) community was determined by analysing extrusa from wethers fitted with oesophageal fistulas. Visual assessments were combined with hand clipped samples to determine the amount of forage available. The results showed that the dominant constituent of the pasture, bladder saltbush, was sparingly grazed, whereas many of the associated species, which often constituted only a minor portion of the total available forage, were heavily grazed.