The chemical composition, digestibility and intake of some native pasture species in central Australia during winter

Abstract

The chemical composition, digestibility, and voluntary intake of four perennial grasses, three annual grasses, two shrubs, and five forbs cut during winter in central Australia, were determined in pen feeding trials with sheep. There was no significant difference in digestible organic matter intake between the group of grasses and the shrubs and forbs. It is unlikely, however, that these grass-forb pastures become protein deficient during dry periods.