Responses of young sheep grazing swedes, turnips, and kale to intraperitoneal and oral supplementation with DL-methionine

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Abstract
Intraperitoneal (IpMe) and oral (OrMe) supplements of DL-methionine were given to 9-month-old Romney sheep grazing swedes, turnips, or kale for two consecutive 3-week periods. Both OrMe and IpMe increased total live-weight gain of the sheep grazing kale in both periods, the increases being of similar magnitude for both methods of administration. In the unsupplemented groups grazing swedes and turnips weight gains were low in period 1 but increased significantly in period 2 (P < 0.01). IpMe had no effect on weight gains in period 2, but increased weight gains in period 1 to the same magnitude as found in period 2 thus achieving maximum weight gains earlier than was otherwise possible. OrMe tended to reduce weight gains of animals grazing swedes and turnips in period 2. Wool growth rates were high for sheep on all crops and the only increase caused by the treatments was with IpMe for sheep on the swede diet. It is suggested that for sheep grazing kale there may have been interactions in the rumen between OrMe and free S-methyl-cysteine sulphoxide (a normal constituent of kale).

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