The dynamics of forage supply and nutrition requirements of sheep were monitored for a whole year under alpine grassland conditions in Sunan County, Gansu Province. The digestion and metabolism of grazed sheep were determined in different seasons. The results showed that the DE(9.76 MJ), CP(21.53%) and the ratio of crude protein to digestible energy (22.06 g.MJ-1) of forage were the highest in Spring, while the herbage dry matter yield and dry matter intake (60.51 +/- 3.42 g.W0.75kg-1.d-1) by grazed sheep were the lowest. Supplementary DM especially in energy should be provided. The ratio of crude protein to digestible energy was 17.62 g.MJ-1 in Summer, and was somewhat higher. The nitrogen utility of the forage would be improved, if energy feed was supplemented. Both the quality and quantity of forage produced in grasslands in Autumn could meet the sheep requirement. Whereas during Winter, neither forage yield nor nutritive value was sufficient for sheep, and the contents of the DE and CP of forage were the lowest in the year, which were 4.30 MJ and 4.63%, respectively. The nitrogen metabolism of sheep was negative. Therefore, DM, especially DE and CP, should be supplemented. To improve the conditions, it was necessary to develop seasonal animal husbandry, and combine the subsystems into coupling systems.