Magnesium Deficiency – Grass Tetany

Posted September 28, 2016
 

Cattle store very little magnesium in their body and rely on a daily supply of magnesium in their feed. If pasture levels are low in this mineral, cattle can develop a magnesium deficiency.

Symptoms include:

• Sudden death
• Early signs - facial & ear twitching
• Agitation towards sounds or movement e.g. being handled, birds flying overhead
• Staggering - this manifests in severe cases
• Lying on side with convulsions, muscle spasms, thrashing

Treatment

A veterinarian will inject animals but if symptoms are recurring farmers may need to do so themselves, as once cattle go down they are very likely to die from the disease.

Triggers

• Pasture flush after good rains/spring pastures with low mineral content
• Any reduction in feed intake e.g. restriction from pasture, being kept too long in the yards, bad weather preventing access to feed
• Pastures fertilised with high nitrogen or potash
• Lush winter pastures e.g. rye & oats.
• Cows in early lactation

Prevention

• Riverina's Dairy Feeds contain extra magnesium for winter months, which works on most farms.
• If an outbreak occurs, additional magnesium can be added to your dairy or beef feed.
• Contact your Riverina sales representative or nutritionist for advice on feeding levels.
• If your cattle are showing signs of magnesium deficiency, call your local veterinarian straight away.