Abstract:
(1) Six mature grazing Merino rams were given either a low (LP) or high (HP) level of supplementary feeding for 6 weeks before being subjected to a period of intensive semen collection every 15 weeks for 18 months (six collection periods). At each collection period 16 opportunities for ejaculation were given daily to each ram over two series of 5 days, separated by 2 days' rest. Each ram was exposed to three LP and three HP pre-collection periods. Ejaculates were examined for semen characteristics and the 'reaction time' was recorded at each service. (2) The average daily sperm output for the six rams was 10.8 x l0