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

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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.