• Welcome to The Farming Forum!

    As part of this update, we have made a change to the login and registration process. If you are experiences any problems, please email [email protected] with the details so we can resolve any issues.

Don’t get caught out by grass tetany

agrilanduk.JPG


Written by Agriland Team

If it slips under the radar, grass tetany/hypomagnesaemia can suddenly prove very costly to farmers. The transition period post-calving is when animals are most susceptible to metabolic disorders such as this.

Also Read: A good transition cow management plan is crucial for a successful dairy operation
In severe cases – just like any metabolic disorder – it can have adverse affects on an animal’s future reproductive performance. Any disorder that might compromise an animal’s performance should not be overlooked.

This year, due to the exceptional growth rates over the winter, there is an abundance of heavy covers ready to be grazed across the country.

Grass tetany often occurs when cows are let out to graze lush, green, low-fibre pastures; so it is something to be conscious of over the coming months.

Additionally, application of potash before early spring grazing increases the chances of a magnesium (Mg) deficiency so this should be avoided if possible.

Symptoms


The symptoms of grass tetany can occur rapidly and mainly impact the animal’s nervous system.

Symptoms include:

  • Severe muscle contractions;
  • Hyperness;
  • Frothing at the mouth;
  • Staggering while walking or standing;
  • Body tremors;
  • Visual distress;
  • Irregular and loud heartbeat.

If you are suspicious of a cow having grass tetany, you must act promptly. She should be treated as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration or possible death.

Treatment involves administering an intravenous injection of a combined Mg and calcium (Ca) solution. In some serious cases the treatment may need to be repeated.

Prevention


The best, and most effective way to prevent grass tetany, is to supplement the animals’ diet with Mg.

Mg can be added to the diet through:

  • Pasture dusting with Cal/Mag at a rate of 15-17kg/ha;
  • Feeding a high Mg concentrate;
  • Adding a soluble Mg solution to water troughs;
  • Administering a bolus (although this is very labour intensive);
  • High Mg licks.

It is important to note that if you are supplementing your cows’ diet with Mg via a nut, more than 1kg must be fed to receive the 50-60g of CalMag needed per day.

The post Don’t get caught out by grass tetany appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

Continue reading on the Agriland Website...
 

How is your SFI 24 application progressing?

  • havn't been invited to apply

    Votes: 30 34.1%
  • have been invited to apply

    Votes: 17 19.3%
  • applied but not yet accepted

    Votes: 29 33.0%
  • agreement up and running

    Votes: 12 13.6%

Webinar: Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer 2024 -26th Sept

  • 2,716
  • 50
On Thursday 26th September, we’re holding a webinar for farmers to go through the guidance, actions and detail for the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer. This was planned for end of May, but had to be delayed due to the general election. We apologise about that.

Farming and Countryside Programme Director, Janet Hughes will be joined by policy leads working on SFI, and colleagues from the Rural Payment Agency and Catchment Sensitive Farming.

This webinar will be...
Back
Top