Changing the body composition of sheep by feeding
M.R. Cropper
Animal and Veterinary Science Group, Lincoln University, P.O.
Box 84, Lincoln, Canterbury
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1989, 49: 121-126
There is a long-standing disagreement about the influence that
feeding has on body composition, particularly in ruminants, yet the
problem remains of finding ways to produce lean lambs. This paper
attempts to revive the view that feeding can alter, independently, the
rate of growth and the relative rate of fattening in sheep. A numerical
illustration is given of the relationship between a lamb's potential for
growth, its feed requirements and the rules it uses to partition feed
resources when they are scarce. For simplicity, the feed is considered
only in terms of its metabolisable energy; digestible crude protein
ratio. Published data are then review to test whether it is reasonable
to retain the proposed theory. The review closes with a discussion of
our current options and future possibilities for changing body
composition by feeding.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Sheep; growth; body composition; nutrition
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Last Updated 18-03-1997
