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.