Supplementation of winter grazing in the Transvaal with special reference to the maintenance protein requirement of sheep

Abstract

By means of metabolism experiments on mature and young sheep it was shown that approximately 81 grams of maize will supplement April grazing successfully in respect of protein if the energy requirements are satisfied. Due to the fact, that 150 grams maize efficiently supplement 200 grams of wheat straw with a lower nitrogen content than July grazing, it can be implied that it will also supplement July grazing successfully. Urea nitrogen has been shown to be utilized by sheep for maintenance purposes hut must not be expected to promote growth unless experiments conducted under controlled conditions prove the contrary.