Drought feeding studies with cattle and sheep. 4. The use of native grass hay (bush hay) and sorghum silage as basal components of drought fodders for sheep

Abstract

Four groups of 2-4-tooth Merino wethers were group-fed basal rations of either native grass hay (bush hay) ad lib. or sorghum silage ad lib. in bare yards with shade and water. A comparison was made of the performance of sheep and cattle fed the same basal diets of bush hay and sorghum silage. Sheep lost a greater percentage of their initial bodyweight and showed a smaller response to urea supplementation.