April 04, 2003
Adding Magnesium to Cattle, Sheep Diets Can Help Prevent Grass Tetany
LINCOLN, Neb. — Producers who will graze rye, wheat or triticale this spring need to take precautions to prevent grass tetany in their cattle or sheep, a University of Nebraska forage specialist said.
The drought has depleted grazing and rangeland, leaving many producers searching for alternative forages. Producers unfamiliar with grazing rye, wheat or triticale need to be aware of the effect the forages may have on their animals' performance or health, said Bruce Anderson, NU forage specialist.
"Grass tetany is a serious condition caused by low blood magnesium," Anderson said. "When severe, infected animals could lapse into a coma and die."
Grass tetany primarily affects older, heavy milking cows or sheep, but young stock also can be affected.
Cattle or sheep that are affected by tetany often graze away from the herd, are irritable, show muscle twitching, awkwardness and staggering and are somewhat wide-eyed and staring, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources specialist said.
Low blood magnesium can be caused by low levels of magnesium in lush spring grass or by mineral imbalances such as high potassium and nitrogen or low calcium in the diet, Anderson said.
There are many things producers can do to prevent grass tetany.
"The first thing to do is wait until grass or small grain pasture is four to six inches tall before grazing," he said.
"It's also a good idea to feed or graze legumes such as clover or alfalfa when starting on pasture because they have high magnesium levels," he said.
Producers can add about 10 to 20 grams of commercial or homemade supplemental magnesium to livestock diets to prevent grass tetany. Magnesium oxide is one of the best and cheapest magnesium sources, Anderson said.
To make a simple homemade supplement, mix equal parts of magnesium oxide with dical, salt and ground corn. This mixture will provide adequate magnesium if cows eat about one pound of it per day, he said.
4/4/03-AF
Bruce Anderson - Ph.D
Agronomy
Professor
(402) 472-6237
Sandi Alswager Karstens IANR News and Photography (402) 472-3030
Department: Agronomy & Horticulture
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