Effect on wool growth in N.Z. Romney of dietary supplements

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of chemically treated casein supplements on winter wool growth. All sheep were housed in individual pens and fed a basic diet of chopped hay and oat grain at two levels-half the sheep received a maintenance ration calculated on body weight, and the other half received a half-maintenance ration. Within each of these two groups, a further subdivision was effected. One group received 30 g of untreated casein, one group 60 g of untreated casein, a third group was fed 30 g of treated casein and the fourth group received 60 g of treated casein per day. This situation was similar at both levels of basic diet.
All sheep were weighed each week and their weights were recorded. Small but positive increases in body weight were noted, and the relationship between casein and this increase is discussed.
A comparison of treated versus untreated casein was made each month for five months, commencing in April 1968, and concluding in September 1968, and this comparison was considered in terms of wool weight, fibre length and fibre diameter.
Similarly, a study of energy levels and treatment of casein was made and the significance of these results are discussed.