Wool production of grazing sheep supplemented with casein and formaldehyde-treated casein

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (48) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Caseinate ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Grazing Sheep

For 59 days grazing Merino wethers were given 0, 40, or 80 g of sodium caseinate each day directly into the abomasum. Clean wool production was increased by 35 and 38 per cent after giving 40 and 80 g per day respectively. In a second experiment grazing Merino wethers were given 0 or 80 g casein, or 40 or 80 g casein treated with formaldehyde (HCHO-casein) each day through cannulae inserted into the rumen. Wool production was increased by 22, 38, and 51 per cent by the 80 g casein, 40 g HCHO-casein and 80 g HCHO-casein treatments respectively. In a third experiment Merino wethers, in which rumen cannulae had been prepared, were grazed at a high and low stocking rate, and were given daily 0, 20, 40, or 60 g HCHO-casein through the rumen cannulae. Wool production and efficiency of wool production increased, and herbage intake declined as the level of supplementary feeding increased.

The summer nutrition of weaner sheep: The voluntary feed intake, body weight change, and wool production of sheep grazing the mature herbage of sown pasture in relation to the intake of dietary energy under a supplementary feeding regime

1969 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 499 ◽  
Author(s):  
WG Allden
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Body Weight Change ◽  
Digestible Energy ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Herbage Intake

The effect on herbage intake of feeding energy-rich supplements to weaner sheep during periods of summer drought was examined in two field studies in a Mediterranean environment. The total intake of digestible energy (DE) and of dry matter (DM) by each sheep was also measured, and the relation of DE intake to body weight, body weight change, and wool production was studied under these supplementary feeding regimes. In both experiments the sheep grazed sown pastures which provided low quality mature herbage (DM digestibility 45-49 %) in plentiful amounts (> 800 kg DM/acre). A new method of estimating herbage digestibility based on direct weighings of the animal before and after a period of restricted grazing, was used in one experiment. The estimate of DM intake by this method was less by 5% than the value derived from a regression equation based on faecal nitrogen concentration. The results of the two studies were in good agreement. For each 100 g supplement (up to levels of 400 g DM/day) the intake of herbage decreased by 65-69 g. The daily digestible energy intake needed to maintain wool-free body weight was 176 kcalDE/kg W0.75 (equivalent to about 144 kcal metabolizable energy/kg W0.75). This value is substantially higher than the results recorded for pen-feeding experiments but is comparable with other results recorded for the grazing sheep. The production of each additional gram of clean wool was associated with an increased intake of 52 g digestible DM (230 kcal DE). However, because herbage intake was reduced when a supplement was fed, it was in fact necessary to provide 86 g DE as a supplement (i.e. 65 % more than is indicated by the previous value) in order to produce an additional gram of clean wool.

Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 5. Observations on teeth wear and carry over effects

1966 ◽  
Vol 6 (20) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
WR McManus ◽  
IG Bush
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Stocking Rates

Merino wethers were grazed for four years on Phalaris-subterranean clover pastures at four stocking rates. Measurements over two years showed that wear of incisor teeth increased substantially with stocking rate. This wear was closely associated with intake of silica by the sheep. After the experiment marked carry-over effects in wool production and live weight were observed in adult wethers. Significantly more wool was produced by sheep previously grazing at high stocking rates. Possible reasons for this effect are discussed.

Studies on the Mitchell Grass Association in South-Western Queensland. 3. Pasture and Wool Production Under Different Rates of Stocking and Continuous or Rotational Grazing.

1993 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 302 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Roe ◽  
GH Allen
Keyword(s):  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Stocking Rates

Pasture productivity and wool production on the Warrego Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) rangeland in south-westem Queensland were studied over a period of 13 years under continuous or rotational grazing, each at three stocking rates. The stocking rates were one sheep to three, two or one hectares and the rotational grazing was a six- monthly system of summer or winter grazing. The grazing treatments were applied over two five- year terms with a nil-grazing period at the conclusion of each. The latter periods provided a means of measuring the cumulative effects of the grazing treatments. Drought conditions prevailed during the first term so that supplementary feeding was necessary, but the second experienced above average rainfall. Quarterly measurements were made of the pasture dry matter on offer and its botanical and chemical composition. Monthly sheep liveweights, annual wool production and sheep size development in each term were also measured and monetary returns from wool calculated. Rainfall had a major influence on the results recorded and tended to nullify the effects of grazing treatments. Its unpredictability precludes the reliable use of complex techniques in management planning. The overall results suggested that the optimum grazing management of this Mitchell grass rangeland would be continuous grazing at a stocking rate of one sheep to two hectares. Supplementary feeding during drought would be obligatory and should be budgeted for in long-term planning. There was a 50% higher monetary return from this grazing treatment than from the lighter stocking rate and pasture stability (maintenance of Astrebla spp.) was sustained. Pasture stability was adversely affected by the heavier stocking rate. There was no srlstained advantage from rotational grazing compared with continuous grazing.

Supplementary feeding pattern and rate of liveweight gain in winter-spring affect wool production of young Merino sheep on the south coast of Western Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Doyle ◽  
TW Plaisted ◽  
RA Love
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Staple Strength ◽  
Stocking Rates

The effects of different supplementary feeding practices in summer-autumn and management strategies on green pasture on liveweight change, wool growth rate, annual wool production and wool characteristics of young Merino wethers were examined at 2 farms. The grain feeding treatments were lupins (L) or lupins and oats (LO) fed in amounts that were adjusted to try and maintain liveweight, or lupins and oats (LOG) fed at a higher rate. The objectives of liveweight maintenance or gain were not always achieved, but liveweight patterns differed between LOG compared with L or LO during summer-autumn. The sheep used at farm 1 were aged 4.5 months and liveweight 32 kg at the start of the experiment, while those at farm 2 were 6.5 months and liveweight 39 kg. The stocking rate in summer-autumn was 8 wethers/ha at both farms. During supplementation, sheep on LOG had a higher (P<0.05) liveweight change compared with those on L or LO (farm 1, 15 v. -8 g/sheep. day; farm 2, -35 v. -51 g/sheep. day) and clean wool growth rates (farm 1, 7.1 v. 6.4 g/sheep. day; farm 2, 5.1 v. 4.8 g/sheep.day). The sheep on LOG grew broader (P<0.05) wool than those on L or LO (farm 1, 19.0 v. 18.5 �m; farm 2, 21.7 v. 20.8 �m), and at farm 1 length was also greater (P<0.05) (114 v. 111 mm), while at farm 2 staple strength was greater (P<0.01) (22.9 v. 16.4 N/ktex). There were no significant differences in annual clean wool production. There were positive (P<0.01) relationships between staple strength and liveweight change to the time of minimum liveweight in summer-autumn. After green pasture on offer reached 500 kg DM/ha in autumn, different liveweight change patterns were achieved in 2 groups (LS, lower stocking rates; HS, higher stocking rates) of sheep at each farm by adjusting stocking rates. Within a farm, the LS and HS groups were comprised of equal numbers of sheep from each replicate of the supplementary feeding treatments. There were differences (P<0.05 to 0.01) in liveweight change between LS and HS (farm 1, 93 v. 72 g/day; farm 2, 127 v. 60 g/day), the differences being more pronounced at farm 2. The differential stocking rates at farm 2 resulted in differences in clean wool growth rates (P<0.01), in clean wool production (4.22 v. 4.53 kg, P<0.05), and fibre diameter (20.8 v. 21.4 �m, P<0.01), but there were no significant effects on staple length or strength. There were no significant effects of the supplementary feeding treatments imposed in summer-autumn on the responses to the stocking rate treatments on green pasture.

Wool production, ground cover and botanical composition of pastures grazed by Merino wethers in central western New South Wales. 1. Natural pasture

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 502 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Brownlee
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Annual Medics

A natural pasture consisting predominantly of Aristida, Stipa, Danthonia and Chloris was grazed by Merino wethers set-stocked at 2.04, 1.36 and 1.02 ha-1 at Condobolin in central western New South Wales. Throughout the four years 1965 to 1969, the pasture supported 1.36 wethers ha-1 without supplementary feeding. Wool production per ha increased with increase in stocking rate but wool production per head and liveweight decreased. Although there was a greater percentage of annual medics at the high compared with the low stocking rate, the high stocking rate reduced total ground cover and the density of Aristida.

Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 2. Variation in wool characteristics with season and stocking rate

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (15) ◽  
pp. 404 ◽  
Author(s):  
WR McManus ◽  
GW Arnold ◽  
JR Paynter
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Annual Growth ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Staple Length

A four-year study of the variation in wool characteristics of both periodic midside fleece samples and whole fleeces is reported. The wools are derived from an experiment (Arnold, McManus and Bush 1964) in which Merino wethers were continuously grazed on improved pastures at four widely different stocking rates. Despite very large differences in pasture availability and nutritional patterns between treatments the fleeces were essentially similar in staple length, fibre diameter, clean scoured yield, wax and suint content, in quality count and subjective characteristics of soundness, handle, colour, and character. The value of the fleeces was similar for all treatments. Staple length and fibre diameter were lowest in late summer and late winter, when feed quantity and quality, respectively, were also lowest. On all treatments over half the fleeces exhibited 'trade tenderness' attributable to undernutrition in summer. Winter shearing minimises the effects of undernutrition in winter on the soundness of the fleeces. The staple length on the tattoo midside was 21 per cent greater than annual growth on the alternate midside region. Possible reasons for this increase are discussed.

The feed intake of sheep supplemented with varying quantities of wheat while grazing pastures differing in herbage availability

1969 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 919 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Regression Coefficient ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Partial Regression Coefficient ◽  
Faecal Output ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Daily Intakes ◽  
Stocking Rates

Diets containing various quantities of lucerne chaff and wheat grain were given to three sheep in a digestibility trial. Daily faecal output was related to daily intakes of chaff and wheat by regression analysis. The partial regression coefficient for wheat was used to estimate the faecal output attributable to wheat in a grazing trial in which flocks of five sheep grazed at five stocking rates and received either 0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 g wheat per day. The sheep were allocated to treatments and periods at each stocking rate in a Latin square design. Herbage intake was estimated in each period. Herbage intake decreased when supplementary feeding or stocking rate was increased. Supplementary feeding increased the nutrient intake of grazing sheep by an average of 54% of the nutrient content of the wheat given. This percentage was greater when pasture availability was low. At high stocking rates the decline in herbage intake was less than at low stocking rates in absolute terms although greater when expressed as a percentage of the herbage intake of the unsupplemented sheep

Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 1. Seasonal variation in feed intake, liveweight and wool production

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (15) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
WR McManus ◽  
IG Bush
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Stocking Rates

A four year experiment is described in which Merino wethers were continuously grazed on Phalaris- subterranean clover pasture containing some annual grasses, at three rates for a year and at four rates in subsequent years. For the first year of the experiment a pasture of annual grasses and subterranean clover was also studied at three stocking rates. From the time that the eco-systems that were established reached an equilibrium there was rarely less than 2500 lb of herbage dry-matter an acre available on the lowest stocking rate and rarely more than 1000 lb an acre on the highest stocking rate. There was a significant difference in wool cut per head only in the first year ; over the last three years of the experiment it was slightly lower on the highest and lowest stocking rates than on the intermediate stocking rate. Wool production per acre was proportional to stocking rate. Large seasonal fluctuations were recorded in estimated digestible organic matter intake, liveweight, and wool production. Peaks of intake, liveweight gain, and wool production occurred in autumn and spring but at different dates at different stocking rates. At all but the highest stocking rate, wool production per unit time was lower in summer than in winter. Estimated herbage intake increased with decreasing availability of pasture. Digestibility of the diet, availability of pasture, and body condition of the sheep appeared to affect intake. Despite a higher estimated herbage intake on the higher stocking rate treatments, wool production was no higher.

The intake and production of lactating Merino ewes and their lambs grazed at different stocking rates

1977 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Milk Consumption ◽  
Total Organic Matter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Maintenance Requirement ◽  
Stocking Rates

Grass and milk consumption and liveweight changes of lambs grazed at stocking rates ranging from 9 to 35 sheep/ha were measured during a 105 day lactation. Grass consumption and wool production of their mothers and of similar ewes without lambs were also determined. The forage and total organic matter intakes of the lamb increased with time while milk consumption declined; all three variables were negatively correlated with stocking rate. The intake of the ewe and its liveweight gain were not sensitive to increasing stocking rate, but wool production declined at higher stocking rates. The maintenance requirement of the ewes was estimated to be 218 kJ metabolizable energy/kg liveweight, and the efficiency with which metabolizable energy was utilized for milk production was 66%. Lactation increased the intake of the ewe but reduced its wool production.

Supplementary feeding of Merino wethers grazing weed-free stubble pastures

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (110) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
LG Butler
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Field Trial ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Wheat Stubble

A field trial was conducted in the Wimmera region of Victoria to investigate the effect of several supplements on 4-year-old Merino wethers grazing a weed-free wheat stubble for 3 months, The four treatments were: a control (no supplement), urea/molasses block, 100 g/head day-1 of lupin grain, and 2 g urea plus 0.5 g Na2SO4 l-1 in the drinking water. Twenty sheep per treatment were used, and liveweight change and wool growth were measured. Although all groups lost weight, the lupin group lost only 0.5 kg per head over the 3 months of the trial, and was 3.8 kg heavier (P <0.01) than the control group, while the urea/molasses group was 2.2 kg heavier (P <0.01) than the control group. There was no effect of the urea plus sulfur supplement in the drinking water on liveweight or wool production. The urea/molasses block did not affect wool production but lupin grain stimulated wool production by 0.08 kg (P <0.05). The sheep were weighed and shorn four and a half months after the trial (August), during which time all groups grazed together on green feed. The experimental liveweight differences had disappeared, apparently due to compensatory growth. In addition, a digestibility trial was conducted in an attempt to explain some of the field results. The treatments were designed to simulate those used in the field. Lupin grain stimulated intake by 129 g day-1 (P <0.05) but had no effect on apparent digestibility of straw. The treatment simulating the urea/ molasses block (urea plus sulfur plus sucrose in the drinking water) stimulated intake by 159 g day-l (P <0.05) and tended to increase digestibility (P > 0.05). It was concluded that supplementary feeding of Merino wethers grazing weed-free stubble is unlikely to be an economic farm practice.

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