The Effect of Limestone Added to Oat Grain on the Growth of Young Sheep Grazing Wheat Stubble

Fifty Merino weaner sheep grazing on a wheat stubble at Wongan Hills were fed ad lib. either oat grain mixed with limestone (2% w/w) or just oat grain during the summer and autumn of 1985. The addition of limestone to the oat supplement increased the growth of the sheep from 39 g/day to 83 g/day (P<O.OOl) during the first 70 days of feeding. A summer thunderstorm resulted in a brief germination of pasture which preceded an increase in the consumption and utilization of the oats by the sheep not receiving limestone. In a trial conducted concurrently at Merredin, in which the sheep were fed a restricted amount of oats, there was no beneficial effect of adding limestone.