The effect of the ingestion of urea on the rate of wool production by Merino sheep

Abstract

Urea did not increase the wool production of mature sheep when added at the rate of 15 g. daily, equivalent to 7 g. nitrogen, to a low protein ration containing a high proportion of 'fibre'. An equivalent amount of nitrogen in the form of wheat gluten, when added to a similar basal diet, however, led to increases of 35 per cent. in total wool production and 11 per cent. in fibre diameter. The addition of 15 g. urea to a low protein ration which contained a high proportion of a readily available carbohydrate (potato starch) brought about increases of 32 per cent. in total wool production and 9 per cent. in fibre diameter. An equivalent amount of nitrogen in the form of wheat gluten, when added to a similar basal diet, led to increases of 64 per cent. in total wool production and 17 per cent. in fibre diameter.