The effect of two different planes of nutrition from conception to four years of age on the maintenance requirements and on the efficiency of wool growth

Manika Wodzicka-Tomaszewska, M.L. Bigham, A.H. Kirton and D.M. Duganzich

Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1968, 28: 74-82

Mature sheep which had had a previous history of continuous undernutrition from conception to 4½ years of age (L) produced less wool than sheep well nourished throughout life (H), whether fed at the same level per unit liveweight ^0.73 or fed ad libitum. However, the maintenance requirements of the two groups of sheep were similar.

When feed was offered ad libitum, the L sheep, which were much smaller at the start of the experiment, had intakes similar to the H sheep, gained more weight, but produced less wool than the H sheep. Efficiencies of wool growth were similar when intakes were restricted, but in animals fed ad libitum there was a suggestion that the L sheep were less efficient than the H sheep.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 24-08-2000