The influence of protein quality on the effect of flavomycin on wool growth, liveweight change and rumen fermentation in sheep

1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 987 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Murray ◽  
JB Rowe ◽  
EM Aitchison
Keyword(s):  
Protein Quality ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Wheat Chaff

The feed additive flavomycin, a glycolipid antibiotic, was evaluated for its potential to improve wool growth in sheep fed two pelleted diets: one based on lucerne chaff and lupin grain and the other on wheat chaff and fishmeal. Seventy-eight weaner ewes, approximately 20 months of age and mean weight of 32 kg (s.e. � 0.3), were placed in individual pens and fed the pelleted diets at a level equivalent to 3.5% of the mean liveweight of the group. The experiment consisted of an initial period (8 weeks) during which all animals received their respective diets with no flavomycin, followed by an experimental period (9 weeks) during which the animals received their diets with flavomycin. Flavomycin was included at three different rates (l0, 20 and 40 ppm) in both diets (nine sheep/level) during the experimental period and twelve sheep were fed each of the unmedicated diets (no flavomycin). Feed intakes were measured daily and animals weighed weekly. Wool growth was measured for the initial and experimental periods by clipping a mid-side patch of about 100 cm2. In sheep fed the lucernellupin based diet, flavomycin increased liveweight gain ( P < 0.05) at 20 ppm but had no effect on wool production, whereas in those fed the hay/fishmeal diet, there was a linear decrease in liveweight gain (P < 0.001) (161, 151, 142, 130 g day-1) and a dose related increase in clean wool production (P<0.01) (12.9, 14.5, 15.2, 15.3 g m-2 day-1) with increasing rates of flavomycin (0, 10, 20, 40 ppm respectively). There was no significant effect of flavomycin on fibre diameter in the sheep fed either diet. The inclusion of flavomycin in both diets significantly increased the molar proportions of propionate in the rumen fluid and in sheep on the hay/fishmeal pellet it reduced the concentration of rumen ammonia. The time animals took to eat their ration was increased with the inclusion of flavomycin in the hay/fishmeal diet.

Effect of time of joining and rate of stocking on the production of Corriedale ewes in southern Victoria. 3. Wool growth and the composition and availability of pasture

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (73) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Kenney ◽  
IF Davis
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Brome Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates

A study was made during a three year period (1 968-1 970) of wool production by a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. The ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 7 1/2 and 10 ewes ha-1) and lambed between July 6 and August 20 or between September 10 and October 29 each year. Fibre diameter and length of wool samples were measured in 1968, 1969 and 1970 ; in 1970 growth of greasy wool was calculated from staples of dye-banded wool. Wool growth was reduced in all ewes during late pregnancy and early lactation but was not affected during late lactation in ewes lambing in September. The proportion of tender fleeces from all ewes was greater in 1970 and the weight of fleeces from only those ewes bearing single lambs was less in all years for ewes lambing in July than for ewes lambing in September. More ewes were barren and fewer ewes had twins in July and consequently the mean fleece weights of all ewes from both groups were similar. Fleeces from ewes stocked at 10 ha-1 were lighter, shorter and finer than fleeces from ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1, but the proportion of tender fleeces did not differ between the groups. Wool production of ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1 increased from 1968 to 1970, whereas that of ewes at 10 ha-1 did not. This was associated with differences in pasture availability and composition. At 10 ewes ha-1 less pasture was present in winter and spring in 1970 than in 1968, whereas at the other stocking rates it was greater. In 1970 the density of weeds in autumn was greater and in spring more silver grass (Vulpia spp.) and less brome grass (Bromus spp.) was available at the high stocking rate.

The effect of previous and current nutrition on wool production in southern Victoria

1962 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Sharkey ◽  
IF Davis ◽  
PA Kenney
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Autumn And Winter

The effect of different planes of nutrition on the wool production of Corriedale wethers at pasture was studied between August 1959 and December 1960. The plane of nutrition was controlled by rate of stocking. The effect of previous nutritional treatment on wool production was slight. It affected wool weight and fibre length for 160 one month and fibre diameter for two months. The differences in current nutritional treatment were accompanied by large differences in wool production except during the spring months. On the highest plane of nutrition the wool production showed little seasonal variation, apart from an initial increase in production during the autumn. On the medium and low planes of nutrition wool growth declined substantially in autumn and winter and increased again in spring. The mean fibre diameter of the wool that was clipped frequently was greater than that of fleece wool obtained from the opposite midside at shearing. Further, in the groups on medium and low planes of nutrition estimates of fleece weight based on the combined weight of periodical clippings were greater than actual fleece weights. It is concluded that, in the dry Victorian summer, wool production is influenced by the plane of nutrition in the previous spring for a short period only, and that in autumn and winter it is dependant almost entirely on the feed immediately available.

Photoperiodic rhythm of wool growth and its contribution to seasonal wool production by the Merino, Polwarth, and their reciprocal crosses in southern Australia

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
LG Butler ◽  
GM Head
Keyword(s):  
Field Data ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Nutritional Management ◽  
Reciprocal Crosses ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Growth Difference ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Weight Yield ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Staple Strength

Twelve wethers of each of the Merino and Polwarth breeds and their reciprocal crosses were fed at1 of 2 levels in individual pens for 14 months. Periodic clean wool weight, yield, fibre diameter, and the coefficient of variation (CV%) for fibre diameter were measured from midside patches harvested every6 weeks.There was a significant effect of time of wool harvest on clean wool weight per cm2, yield, fibre diameter(all P<0.01), and its CV% (P<0.05). A trough in wool production occurred about August-September and a peak in January. The amplitude of the photoperiodic rhythm of wool growth (difference between maximum and minimum wool growth per cm2 per 42 days as a percentage of the average) was 40%. Yield also displayed a substantial photoperiodic rhythm, but that of fibre diameter was less pronounced. Mean staple strength was 32.3 N/ktex, the mean break occurring at a distance of 60% of the staple length from the tip; there was no effect of genotype or level of feeding. From comparison with published Tasmanian field data, the seasonal wool growth pattern of sheep at pasture appears similar to the photoperiodic rhythm but occurs about a month earlier. It was concluded that the photoperiodic rhythm of wool production of Tasmanian Merino-based breeds should not be a barrier to manipulation of wool quality (staple strength and fibre diameter) by nutritional management.

The effect of bentonite on wool growth, liveweight change and rumen fermentation in sheep

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Murray ◽  
JB Rowe ◽  
EM Aitchison
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Pelleted Diet ◽  
Bentonite Clays ◽  
Wheat Chaff

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the use of 3 bentonite clays in sheep. Seventy-eight Merino ewes (about 20 months of age) were housed individually and fed either a pelleted diet based on lucerne, lupins and barley or chaffed wheat-hay. The experiment consisted of an initial period (8 weeks) during which all animals received these diets without bentonite, followed by a 9-week experimental period when bentonite clays were included in the feed at a level of 25 g/kg. None of the 3 bentonite clays had any significant effect on liveweight change or wool growth in sheep fed either diet. There was also no significant effect of the clays on rumen ammonia or volatile fatty acids concentrations in sheep fed wheat chaff. In sheep fed the pelleted diet, 2 of the clay samples increased the molar proportions of acetate and decreased the molar proportion of propionate relative to the control group.

The effect of birth status on the level and efficiency of wool production by new zealand corriedale two-tooth rams and ewes

1982 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Butler
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Individual Values ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Diameter Fibre ◽  
Valid Comparison ◽  
Maintain Body Weight

ABSTRACTForty-four single- and twin-born New Zealand Corriedale two-tooth ewes and rams aged 14 months were fed individually, in pens, a pelleted ration adjusted to maintain body weight after allowing for wool growth. The sheep were fed for a 3-month settling period, followed by a 3-month experimental period, during which wool growth, fibre diameter, fibre length and net efficiency of wool growth were measured.Since the wool-growth cycles of the two sexes were found to be out of phase, a valid comparison of the sex data was not possible. Such phase differences may be important in some experimental designs. Significant sex by birth status interactions were identified for all wool production parameters except fibre length, confirming that care must be taken in assigning correction factors during selection of rams and ewes. The general trend was for single-born ewes to produce more and coarser wool more efficiently than twin-born ewes, while the differences between single- and twin-born rams were much smaller. Single-born animals were heavier than twin-born (P<0·01).Individual values for wool growth and net efficiency varied by a factor of three within sex groups, indicating a considerable scope for selection

Effect of condensed tannins on the production of wool and on its processing characteristics in sheep grazing Lotus corniculatus

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. Min ◽  
W. C. McNabb ◽  
P. D. Kemp ◽  
T. N. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Processing

The effect of condensed tannins (CT) in Lotus corniculatus upon voluntary feed intake (VFI), concentration of rumen and plasma metabolites, production of wool, and wool processing characteristics was measured in grazing ewes restricted to maintenance feeding for 125 days during summer. A rotational grazing system with restricted feed allowance with 40 mixed aged dry ewes (54±1·0 kg) was used. Half of the ewes were selected randomly for twice-daily oral polyethylene glycol (PEG; MW 3500) supplementation (CT-inactivated), with the remainder being CT-acting animals. Measurements of the diet selected, VFI, wool production, and wool processing characteristics were made. The concentration of ammonia in rumen fluid and the concentrations of methionine, cysteine, and urea in blood plasma were also measured. The diet selected contained 32 g total nitrogen (N) and 28 g total CT/kg dry matter (DM) and had an in vitro organic matter digestibility of 0·70. Action of CT reduced rumen ammonia concentration (256 v. 302 mg N/L), reduced blood plasma urea concentration (7·3 v. 8·9 µM), and increased blood plasma cysteine concentration (30 v. 27 µM) compared with sheep receiving PEG supplementation. CT had no effect on VFI but increased clean fleece weight (2·53 v. 2·28 kg/ewe) and staple length (7·7 v. 6·9 cm), but did not affect liveweight gain (54 v 67 g/day). The CT reduced dag weight and tended to reduce wool yellowness relative to sheep receiving PEG. There were no signifiant effects of CT on fibre diameter, staple strength, bulk density, and wool resilience. It was concluded that action of CT in sheep fed L. corniculatus reduced the degradation of forage protein in the rumen and the principal effect of this was to increase the efficiency of wool production, with more wool being produced at the same feed intake and the wool being of reduced yellowness.

Maintenance rations for Merino sheep. IV. The performance of adult Merino ewes fed daily and weekly at three levels of energy intake

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
PK Briggs ◽  
MC Franklin ◽  
GL McClymont
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean

Dry adult Merino ewes were fed at daily or weekly intervals on oat grain at levels which provided 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 lb starch equivalent (S.E.) per sheep per week. The experimental periods were 223, 223, and 181 days respectively. Differences between the mean body weights of the ewes a t the three levels of feeding were highly significant (P < 0.001). Body weight varied only slightly and no losses occurred in ewes fed weekly at the rate of 4.0 lb S.E. per head. Ewes fed daily a t this level had a significantly greater mean body weight (P < 0.001) a t the conclusion of the 223-day experimental period. The addition of a sodium chloride supplement did not improve the body weight or wool production of ewes fed weekly a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. The mean body weight of ewes fed at the levels of 3.0 or 2.0 lb S.E. per head declined over the first 12 and 18 respectively and thereafter remained relatively constant. There were no significant differences at these levels of feeding between groups fed daily and weekly in respect of body weight, wool production, or survival rates. Ewes fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E. grew significantly more wool than those given 3.0 lb S.E. (P < 0.001). Losses were negligible in all groups except those fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. In these groups there were few deaths in the first 16 weeks, but in the subsequent 10 weeks losses totalled 17.1 per cent. Ewes fed a t the level of 2.0 lb S.E. consumed their rations at a significantly slower rate (P < 0.01) than did those fed a t the level of 4.0 lb S.E.

Effects of defaunation of the rumen and supplementation with amino acids on the wool production of housed Saxon Merinos. 2. Methionine and protected methionine

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Cottle
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Previous Trial ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Protein Diets ◽  
Ciliate Protozoa

In experiment 1, 6 groups, each of 10 superfine Merino wethers, were individually penned indoors and hand-fed oats, wheat straw and whole lupins, either alone or with 2 g/day of DL-methionine or 6.6 g/day of fatty acid coated methionine (Ketionin) for 23 weeks. Following shearing the 6 groups were hand-fed lucerne-chopped hay in experiment 2 either alone or with hydroxymethyl-methionine (Mepron) or Ketionin for 23 weeks. In both experiments the rations were fed at maintenance level and were offered 3 times a week. Half of the sheep had no rumen ciliate protozoa following treatment in a previous trial. In experiment 1, defaunated sheep produced an additional 6.5%clean wool on the supplemented oats plus lupins rations. Inclusion of Ketionin in the ration of defaunated sheep resulted in an 11% increase in clean wool growth, without affecting wool quality. In experiment 2 defaunated sheep produced an additional 6% clean wool on the lucerne-chopped hay ration. No responses to defaunation occurred on the supplemented rations. Inclusion of both forms of protected methionine in the ration (providing 2 g methionine/sheep.day) resulted in 23% and 13% higher clean wool production in the faunated and defaunated sheep respectively. Fibre diameter of wool was increased by 0.7 pm in sheep receiving Mepron and 0-5 pm in sheep receiving Ketionin. The wool grown by suppiemented sheep remained suitable for the 'Sharlea' trade (< 17.5 �m). It is concluded that wool growth responds more to defaunation on high energy-low protein diets. Wool growth responses to supplementation with protected methionine were greater on 100% roughage diets than on high grain diets. Further study is needed before an optimal ration for superfine wool production is formulated.

Influence of liveweight, liveweight change, and diet on wool growth, staple strength, and fibre diameter in young sheep

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Masters ◽  
A. D. Peterson ◽  
G. Mata ◽  
S. M. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategy ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Canola Meal ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Lupin Seed ◽  
Staple Strength ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Fleece Weight

The effects of initial liveweight, liveweight change, and composition of the diet on wool growth and staple strength in weaner sheep were investigated. Weaner wethers (64) were allocated to treatments in a factorial design (23). The factors were initial liveweight (heavy, 33 kg; light, 25 kg), liveweight change (fed at maintenance for 56 days, or 28 days at 0 ·6×maintenance then 28 days at 1·6×maintenance), and diet (lupin seed based diet or canola meal based diet). The heavier weaners grew approximately 1·9 g/day more wool than the light sheep during the experimental period and this resulted in a higher clean fleece weight (1·8 v. 1·4 kg), staple strength (37 v. 27·4 N/ktex), and fibre diameter (18·0 v. 17·4 µm). Substituting canola meal for lupin seed increased wool growth during the experiment and clean wool yield, but did not affect clean fleece weight or staple strength. The weaners fed to lose and then gain weight grew wool with a lower staple strength than the weaners fed to maintain weight through the experiment (28·6 v. 35·8 N/ktex), but there were no differences in any of the other fleece characteristics. The ratio of wool growth to dry matter intake (DMI) was higher in the sheep fed canola meal than those fed lupins (by approximately 1·5 g/kg DMI) and higher in weaners losing weight than those fed to maintain weight (by approximately 4·5 g/kg DMI). From a practical perspective, these results indicate that initial liveweight and liveweight change both influence staple strength and wool growth and need to be included in any management strategy to improve wool quality of young sheep.

Wool production and heterosis by the Merino, the Polwarth, and their reciprocal crosses

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
LG Butler ◽  
BJ Horton ◽  
PM Williams ◽  
RG Banks
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Effect ◽  
Reciprocal Cross ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Lower Production

Tasmanian Merinos and Polwarths were mated in each of 2 years to produce 2 drops of Merino, Polwarth, and F1 reciprocal cross progeny. Polwarths had weaning weights similar to Merinos but were 14% heavier as hoggets. Polwarths grew a similar amount of wool of 11% greater (P<0.001) fibre diameter; however, wool production was 9% less efficient based on metabolic weight. Polwarths displayed an advantage in resistance to footrot. There was a marked Polwarth maternal effect of about 16% on weaning weight but no elfect on hogget weight. The Polwarth maternal effect on fleece weight and efficiency was 9% (P<0.001). In a comparison with a single-born male, ewes weighed 5% less at weaning and 7% less at hogget shearing and produced about 6% less wool (P<0.001), although of comparable fibre diameter. Twins weighed 17% less at weaning, but only 3% less at hogget shearing (P<0.001). They grew about 5% less wool, which was of 2% greater fibre diameter (P<0.001) and 5% higher wool score, but efficiency was 2.5% lower. Production was generally lower (except for yield and wool score) in the 1988 drop than the 1987 drop by 3-10%. Differences in productivity between ram sources were of only slightly lesser magnitude than differences between breeds. The number of feet affected by footrot was reduced by 17% in the 1988 drop. Severe footrot affecting more than 1 foot reduced liveweight but did not significantly reduce fleece weight. There appeared to be some heterosis for weaning weight (10%) and hogget weight (6%), but little heterosis in wool growth (2-3%) or efficiency (-2%).

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