Palatability
African sheepbush has a variable and, on average, a relative low palatability for livestock depending on the place where it is grown (Le Roux et al., 1994 cited by Hulley et al., 2018). In 3 different types of Karoo veld, African sheepbush was not listed among the preferred species of Merino and Dorper sheep (du Toit, 2011). Despite this low palatability, the development of Pentzia incana (volume and flowering capacity) was impaired by heavy grazing in the Nama karoo (Todd et al., 1999). However, it was found to persist even in case of overgrazing (Hulley et al., 2018).
Digestibility
In vitro and in vivo digestibility in wethers were found to be quite low (respectively 42% for in vitro DMD and 46% for in vivo DMD) (Zeeman et al., 1981). Earlier results reported higher values: 67 % OMD and 75 % protein digestibility although the crude protein content was of medium value with 79 g/kg DM (Henrici, 1945).
Sheep
In South Africa, early trials fond that sheep consuming Pentzia incana had good growth but were too fat. This could be due to the unbalanced protein/energy ratio (too low protein content compared to the energy) which can be related to the digestibility results (Henrici, 1945). It has a negative effect on wool production due to its low protein content. However, though it makes fleece greasy, the low potassium content of the shrub results in less suint and in a better quality wool (Buttner, 1963).
It was suggested that the lipophilic volatiles content of African sheepbush could contribute to the meat flavor of the lamb due to bioaccumulation in the adipose tissue (Hulley et al., 2018). Because of its magnesium deficiency, it was recommended to supplement animals fed on Pentzia incana (Buttner, 1963).
