Page 30 - MWC 04-22-2021s
P. 30
The Midwest Cattleman · April 22, 2021 · P30
GRASS TETANY
continued from page 28
uct and make sure they are
consuming it at the expected
level. Remember a 50-pound
bag of hi-mag mineral to be
fed at 4 ounces per head per
day will only last 4 days in a
50-cow herd. If the cows have
calves that also eat mineral,
a bag may only last 3 days.
Mineral feeders should not
be allowed to be empty be-
cause consistent intake is
important for clinical dis-
ease prevention. Provide ad-
equate access for cows and
calves, for example 1 mineral
feeder per 15 cow/calf pairs.
Do not offer additional loose
salt, salt blocks, or sources of
salt at the same time! High
magnesium mineral may be
discontinued in late spring
once the grass is more ma-
ture, the water content of
the forage is decreased, and reduced to 12% from the consumption. For example, with good quality forage or
daily temperatures reach at previous recommendation of with approximately 60% Mg supplemental feed are neces-
or above 60°F. in MagOx and if feeding 2 lbs sary to prevent development
Does the form of magne- 14%. UK Beef Integrated Re- grain / cow, then adding 50 of grass tetany. Both are ex-
sium used in the mineral source Management (IRM) lbs MagOx / ton of feed will ceptionally important when
matter? Absolutely. The feed mineral recommendations provide about 14 g Mg to the moving from winter rations
industry utilizes magnesium for free choice supplements cow. to young spring grass pas-
oxide (MgO) to supply mag- for grazing beef cattle now Are there management ture, especially in early lac-
nesium but there is tremen- include 15% salt and 12% changes that reduce the tation cows. Grass tetany is
dous variation in quality and magnesium in the complete risk of grass tetany? Yes. considered a true veterinary
bioavailability. Magnesium mineral mix and all magne- These include: 1) Soil test and emergency requiring prompt
oxide is bitter and unpalat- sium from magnesium oxide apply fertilizer based on soil treatment with magnesium
able to beef cattle. Recently (no dolomitic limestone or test results and use no more to prevent death. Response
the UK Beef IRM mineral magnesium mica). These potassium than recommend- to therapy is not always good
recommendations were up- complete mineral mixtures
also supply the necessary ed since grasses are “luxury” and depends largely on the
dated to reflect current mar- sodium in the form of salt to consumers of potassium; 2) length of time between onset
ket conditions. The more pal- Legumes are high in mag- of symptoms and treatment.
atable form of magnesium aid in combating high potas- nesium and will help offset Cattle that do recover take
known as “prilled MagOx” sium intakes. Consumption the problem although their at least an hour which is
has been removed from the should be monitored because growth is slow in late winter; the time it takes for magne-
Beef IRM mineral guidelines cattle will not eat enough 3) Offer hay to cattle on lush sium levels to return to nor-
because it is unavailable at trace mineral if using poor pasture during susceptible mal. Many of these cows will
the present time. The gran- quality products or if any periods or limit grazing time relapse and require more
ular or powder magnesium additional free-choice salt is to 2-3 hours per day to slow treatment within 12 hours.
oxide has a greater sur- available. Only put out 1-2 the rate of passage through Administering oral magne-
weeks’ worth of mineral at a
face area resulting in the the digestive tract and allow sium gel once the animal
potential for a decrease in time. If feeding grain to cat- more time for magnesium has regained good swallow-
palatability, therefore the tle, MagOx can be added to absorption; 4) Graze the less ing reflexes, drenching with
magnesium oxide level was grain to ensure magnesium susceptible or non-lactating magnesium oxide or magne-
animals (heifers, dry cows, sium sulfate, or administer-
stocker cattle) on the highest ing a Mg enema will reduce
risk pastures. Be aware that the rate of relapse. If grass
the use of poultry litter as a tetany has occurred with-
feed supplement or fertilizer in a herd, an effort should
has frequently been associ- be made to immediately in-
ated with an increased inci- crease the intake of magne-
dence of grass tetany. sium to other herd members
In summary, increasing to prevent further losses.
magnesium intake by provid-
ing a free choice, high magne-
sium trace mineral mix and
no alternative forms of salt,
and meeting energy needs
