Mag deficiency.

jemski

Member
Location
Dorset
I have 120 ewes and lambs in a field and they are dropping like flies with mag deficiency (and yes @bovine I've had pms done). I've put mag in the water, they've got mag blocks, maxx blocks and I started feeding them yesterday but still lost 2 overnight. Ive got no grass anywhere else and just don't know what to do.
 

jemski

Member
Location
Dorset
It's a mole valley salt mag block. They won't touch anything else and trust me I've tried everything in previous years. Normally the mole valley ones and mag in the water do the trick.
 

jemski

Member
Location
Dorset
Do the rumenco DUP blocks have any mag in them? Their website has no analysis on it which is frustrating.

I was told that the maxx blocks had a small amount of mag in them and they are the only things they are touching. So I figured better than nothing.
 

milkloss

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
They will avoid the mag as it tastes horrible. Give them no choice if you’re not doing that already (I’m not familiar with trade names)
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
Can you not buy a stronger mag in loose salt form and mix with feed like the dairy boys do for quicker results. Lick buckets are a preventative measure not a cure
 

Bury the Trash

Member
Mixed Farmer
Do the rumenco DUP blocks have any mag in them? Their website has no analysis on it which is frustrating.

I was told that the maxx blocks had a small amount of mag in them and they are the only things they are touching. So I figured better than nothing.
mol lyx super energy elite blocks have but it doesnt say how much on the bag....no urea tho with the lambs in mind.

any chance of moving them to other fields?
 

jemski

Member
Location
Dorset
mol lyx super energy elite blocks have but it doesnt say how much on the bag....no urea tho with the lambs in mind.

any chance of moving them to other fields?

I've got no grass at all anywhere else. Except the meadows which are waterlogged.

I could split my other turnout field with electric but then will have no grass for anything in a few weeks as it's still not growing.
 

GTB

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
Forget mag buckets the sheep really hate the taste. Give them something like general purpose mollasses based mineral licks with lower levels of mag and they will eat them like sweets and your problems will be solved. Feeding cake should stop them getting staggers too, I'm sure they'll be ok in a day or two.
 

Green farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Think I’ve seen fertilisers with added mg in it ? Anyone knows if they make any difference ? Always used 18 6 12 here, but switching to a 27 2.5 5 for the spring as it’s reported high levels k’s in the fert can block the take up of mg causing grass tetany in spring.
 
Last edited:

Sharpy

Member
Livestock Farmer
Think I’ve seen fertilisers with added mg in it ? Anyone knows if they make any difference ? Always used 18 6 12 here, but switching to a 27 2.5 5 for the spring as it’s reported high levels k’s in the fert can block the take up of mg causing grass tetany in spring.
Take that as gospel. Luxury uptake of potassium at the expense of mag is the problem. Also watch putting susceptible stock on to recently dunged or even worse slurryed ground. Was told a long time ago that latest slurry application for spring grazing was 6 weeks before turnout.
 

Kiwi Pete

Member
Livestock Farmer
Calving dairy cows on grass you get the same issues especially if fresh off forage crops, about the only way is to dust the pasture and move them onto it in daily or twice daily rations, they have no option then but to have it.
Even thirsty cattle don't drink enough sometimes to get their requirement from water, if you ramp it up they won't drink it :(
That would be my best solution, causmag, mag oxide, whatever you call it; fill a bucket and put a glove on, if you have no other way :unsure:
Hope you get them sorted @jemski
 

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