The nutritional values of native plants in the arid shrublands of Western Australia were compared to the nutrition (dietary) profile of Merino sheep estimated from faecal samples. Plant profiles had generally high CP content, but low OMD and ME content. However, faecal profiling indicated that the dietary levels of CP, OMD and ME were all of adequate levels to maintain sheep. Therefore the sheep were able to select a diet that met their maintenance nutritional requirements despite the generally low nutritive values of the plants species sampled.
Anderson, L., van Klinken, R. D., and Shepherd, D. (2008). Aerially surveying Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) in the Pilbara. In: 'A Climate of Change in the Rangelands. Proceedings of the 15th Australian Rangeland Society Biennial Conference'. (Ed. D. Orr) 4 pages. (Australian Rangeland Society: Australia).
Full-text publications from the Australian Rangelands Society (ARS) Biennial Conference Proceedings (1997-), Rangeland Journal (ARS/CSIRO; 1976-), plus videos and other resources about the rangelands of Australia.