Number of Fistula Samples Needed for Determination of Sheep Diet on Sagebrush-Grass Range

Abstract

Sheep diet was examined in the spring season on sagebrush-grass range in northeastern Idaho. Balsamroot and bluegrasses were the preferred plant species. The number of esophageal fistula samples needed for estimating the botanical and chemical components was determined. Botanical samples were more variable than chemical samples indicating a greater number of botanical samples for the same precision.