The perfect grass tetany storm is brewing on spring-calving suckler farms. We’ve had an exceptionally varied few days weather-wise, with temperatures plummeting; add in the rain and we get the first tetany stressor – weather.
In many cases, cows and calves will be in fields close to the yard – likely the go-to fields for slurry. These often have a high potassium concentration in their grass. Ingesting big amounts of potassium can tie up magnesium in the rumen – the second tetany stressor.
On early-calving farms, bulling activity should be getting going too. Bulling cows won’t eat and can wear themselves out – the third tetany stressor.
ADVERTISEMENT
For me, these are the big three that could affect suckler farmers this week, along with the obvious unavoidable one of a calf to rear!
A suckler cow needs 30g to 40g of magnesium daily. There are a number of ways that we can get this into her (see table). For me, meal supplementation will be most effective at this point and should be considered at least for a few weeks.
We are killing two birds with one stone by getting the magnesium in and infusing the diet with energy. Don’t forget how important it is to prevent too much body condition loss between calving and breeding.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
The perfect grass tetany storm is brewing on spring-calving suckler farms. We’ve had an exceptionally varied few days weather-wise, with temperatures plummeting; add in the rain and we get the first tetany stressor – weather.
In many cases, cows and calves will be in fields close to the yard – likely the go-to fields for slurry. These often have a high potassium concentration in their grass. Ingesting big amounts of potassium can tie up magnesium in the rumen – the second tetany stressor.
On early-calving farms, bulling activity should be getting going too. Bulling cows won’t eat and can wear themselves out – the third tetany stressor.
For me, these are the big three that could affect suckler farmers this week, along with the obvious unavoidable one of a calf to rear!
A suckler cow needs 30g to 40g of magnesium daily. There are a number of ways that we can get this into her (see table). For me, meal supplementation will be most effective at this point and should be considered at least for a few weeks.
We are killing two birds with one stone by getting the magnesium in and infusing the diet with energy. Don’t forget how important it is to prevent too much body condition loss between calving and breeding.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS