Faichney, G. J.; Gordon, G. L. R.; Welch, R. J.; Rintoul, A. J.
Abstract:
Six 2-year-old Border Leicester Merino wethers were offered diets containing 75% mixed wheaten and lucerne hays (2:1), 10% rolled barley, and 15% unprotected and protected cottonseed kernel supplement mixed to provide 2.1, 4.0, or 5.9% free lipid in a total lipid content of 7% of the dry matter. Rumen anaerobic fungi were undetectable with 5.9% free lipid but were present at normal levels with 4 and 2.1% free lipid. In association with the absence of anaerobic fungi, protozoal numbers tended to be lower but bacterial counts increased. Lignin degradation was substantially reduced (by 45