Fraser, TJRowarth, JS2012-06-192012-06-191996Fraser, T. J. & Rowarth, J. S. (1996). Legumes, herbs or grass for lamb performance? Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association, 58, 49–52.https://hdl.handle.net/10182/4557Paper presented at the 58th New Zealand Grassland Association Conference, 21-24 October 1996, Oamaru.Lamb performance was evaluated for three consecutive summer–early autumn periods on ryegrass (Lolium perenne), white clover (Trifolium repens), chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata) or lotus (Lotus corniculatus). Lamb liveweight gains, fasted liveweights at slaughter and hot carcass weights tended to be highest on legumes and chicory and lowest on plantain and ryegrass. Greasy wool weights were significantly higher on lotus and white clover than on chicory, plantain and ryegrass. Greasy wool weight was significantly related to fasted liveweight (R²=0.94–0.99). Protein (%) in herbage accounted for 83–92% of the variability in animal performance; food intake accounted for 57–69% of the variability and was negatively correlated with hemicellulose and cellulose (R²=97.2 and 80.9%, respectively). Thus quality of feed was more important than intake alone in determining animal performance.enCopyright © The Authors and New Zealand Grassland Association.carcass weightCichorium intybusgreasy wool weightintakelamb performanceLotus corniculatusLolium perennePlantago lanceolataTrifolium repensConference Contribution - publishedANZSRC::070202 Animal Growth and DevelopmentANZSRC::070204 Animal Nutrition