What is one negative consequence of not managing calcium levels in sheep?

Not managing calcium levels in sheep can lead to urinary calculi formation. Calcium plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including the maintenance of proper urinary tract health. An imbalance in calcium, particularly if there is a deficiency or an inappropriate ratio with phosphorus, can lead to the precipitation of minerals in the urinary tract. This results in the formation of stones, or calculi, which can cause significant health issues in sheep, such as pain, urinary obstruction, and potentially life-threatening conditions if not addressed.

Proper calcium management is essential not only for reproductive performance and wool production but also for preventing urinary issues. The other choices do not represent the negative impacts of poor calcium management in sheep as directly related to health. For instance, increased wool quality and higher feed conversion are generally positive outcomes, while decreased fertility rates may also occur due to a range of factors but are not specific to calcium levels alone. Thus, urinary calculi formation stands out as a direct and significant consequence of improper calcium management in sheep.