Topic: Effect of diets (pasture with supplements or conserved forage with supplements) on blood metabolites (intermediary metabolism) and liver gene expression in lambs

Profitable lamb production is dependent on the use of cost effective feeding systems to optimise returns. The use of perennial pastures or conserved forages in conjunction with supplementary feeds may be an option to improve feed intake, subsequent performance and muscle composition in year round finishing systems.

The aim of this project is to identify the dietary effects on blood metabolites and liver gene expression in lambs fed pasture with supplements (study 1) and conserved forage with supplements (study 2). And to relate these outcomes (blood metabolites and liver gene expression) to lamb carcass traits and nutritional value of meat.