Abstract
Two studies, in 2 consecutive years, were conducted to determine the effects of supplementation on forage dry matter (DM) intake and nutrient retention (nutrient intake – nutrient loss in feces and urine) of gestating ewes grazing winter range. Sixteen ewes in each experiment were selected for uniformity in body weight and condition for random allotment to one of two treatments each year: no supplement (NS) and 0.15 kg head−1 d−1 pelleted barley-soybean meal supplement (S). Ewes were fitted with excreta collection bags and in year 1, four 96-h total fecal plus urine collection periods were conducted, while in year 2 three 96-h collection periods were used. Supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on forage DM or organic matter intakes in either year. Supplemented ewes retained more (P < 0.05) N and had increased (P < 0.05) differences between gross energy intakes and energy output in feces plus urine than NS ewes. Supplemented ewes retained more (P < 0.05) Mg, K, Mn, Cu and Zn in year 1 and K and Cu in year 2 than NS ewes. In summary, supplementation had no influence on forage DM intake but resulted in improved nutrient retention in gestating ewes grazing Montana winter range. Key words: Sheep, gestation, supplementation, forage intake, nutrient retention
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