1. A study of the effects of live-weight loss and recovery on the physical and chemical composition of 4- and 5-year-old Romney ewes is described. Six treatment groups each of eight ewes were involved. The diet consisted of chaffed lucerne alfalfa) hay. The treatment groups were:
(i) control (C);
(ii) low plane of nutrition for 21 days (LPS);
(iii) as for (ii) then changed to a high plane LPS: HP);
(iv) low plane of nutrition for 42 days (LPL)
(v) as for (iv) then changed to high plane for a short period (LPL:HPS); and
(vi) as for (iv) then changed to high plane for a long period (LPL:HPL).
Because of mortalities in the LPL:HPS and LPL:HPL groups, data on the carcasses and internal organs of the animals surviving to slaughter date in these treatments were not statistically analysed.