Graduation date: 1993

Thesis (M. App. Sc.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 1995? / Copies of the author's previously published articles inserted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-159).

South American camelids are a source of fiber and meat for the inhabitants of the Andean region of Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. When camelids are well fed they efficiently convert the Andean flora into meat with high protein content. Vicuñas have a great capacity to produce wool to be used as a high quality fiber. However, the yield of vicuña meat production is generally low. There have been several studies concerning nutritional forage sources for camelids, resulting in improved nutrition, decreased morbidity and mortality, and intensified production systems. Soft straw is a source of tough forage with low protein content. Soft straw is rich in insoluble carbohydrates that are difficult to digest. However, camelids are able to easily digest these carbohydrates. For this reason, this study compared the digestibility of soft straw with alfalfa in vicuñas.

Copies of the author's previously published articles inserted. Bibliography: leaves 142-159. Provides information on the significance of pea straw as a ruminant feed and the potential of two biological techniques for improving its feeding value.

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