Studies on the supplementary feeding of sheep consuming mulga (Acacia aneura). 4. Effect of sulphur on intake and digestibility, and growth and sulphur content of wool

Abstract

The effect of supplementing sheep fed mulga with sulphur in the form either of molasses, or calcium or sodium sulphate, was examined. Sulphur supplementation increased dry matter intake by 38 per cent without significant differences in digestibility. Liveweight changes were related to intake. Clean wool production was increased by 45 per cent with sulphur supplements (0.48 vs. 0.33 mg cm-2 day-1) but the fibre diameter and the sulphur content of the wool (mean 2.66 per cent) were not influenced by sulphur intake. The cations calcium and sodium had no effect on any responses. Molasses increased feed intake more than calcium sulphate or sodium sulphate did, but the difference was not statistically significant. The extra response in intake to molasses could be due to its contribution of cobalt, as mulga is marginal in this element (0.07 p.p.m.).