The following is a summary submitted with the application. The student’s abstract/thesis has not been received.
“Containment feeding is an important strategy that Australian producers use to maintain their ewe flocks during drought or periods of low pasture availability, yet there is inadequate information available to determine whether various feeding practices influence reproductive rates or wool production.
Specifically, the project will determine whether frequency of feeding containment-fed ewes influences reproductive rate, risk of acidosis, or wool quality. The project will therefore provide new information which will allow sheep producers to make informed choices on feeding strategies for containment-fed
ewes which will improve productivity and profitability. Importantly, the project provides the applicant with practical training in commercial ewe husbandry and exposure to sheep industry networks, as well as providing training in scientific method.”