Abstract
During a 2-year period mature range ewes were fed rations containing 10, 20, and 30 per cent rapeseed oil meal. These rations were compared with a control ration, to 10 and 20 per cent linseed oil meal rations, and to one consisting entirely of alfalfa hay.Data were collected on body weight of ewes and lambs, weight or clean wool produced, length of wool fibre, and diameter of the fibre.In the majority of criteria that were used to assess the value of these rations, the control, alfalfa hay, and 30 per cent rapeseed oil meal rations were inferior to the 10 and 20 per cent linseed oil meal and the 10 and 20 per cent rapeseed oil meal rations.Because the 30 per cent rapeseed meal ration lacked palatabuity, the average daily feed intake was lowest in this group. The ewes receiving this ration lost weight during pregnancy, their lambs were lighter (P <.05) at birth and at 6 weeks of age, and their wool production was less than any of the other groups.No enlarged thyroids were observed in any of the ewes as a result of feeding rapeseed oil meal.
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