The wool production and liveweight of wethers in relation to stocking rate and superphosphate application

Abstract

In an experiment lasting three years in the Upper Goulburn Region of Victoria, Merino wethers grazed at from 2 to 8 an acre on plots to which 50, 150, or 250 lb of superphosphate an acre was applied annually. The land had previously received about 1800 lb an acre superphosphate. Mean live weights were recorded monthly and mean clean wool production calculated annually from greasy wool weights and the yield of clean scoured wool from a mid-side sample. In the third year of the experiment, but not the earlier years, mean minimum live weight and mean clean wool production were greater where 150 and 250 lb of superphosphate an acre was applied than where 50 lb an acre was applied. Mean clean wool production per sheep was closely related to mean minimum live weight in all years.