Datasets of shotgun metagenomics evaluation of rumen microbiota of South African mutton merino sheep.

The rumen microbial consortium plays a crucial role in the production performance and health of the ruminant animal. They are responsible for breaking down complex plant materials such as cellulose and hemicellulose to release usable energy by the host animal. Rumen microbial diversity manipulation through dietary strategies can be used to achieve several goals such as improved feed efficiency, reduced environmental impact or better utilization of low-quality forages.