Mineral Program for Cows
on Wheat Pasture
Provide mineral mix appropriate to offset grass tetany.
Many Oklahoma cow-calf producers will use wheat pasture as a major source of winter feed for beef cows. If wheat pasture is the predominant feed in the diet of mature beef cows, providing an appropriate "wheat pasture" mineral mix will be helpful in preventing grass tetany at or after the calving season begins.
Grass tetany, caused by magnesium deficiency, does not seem to be a major problem in Oklahoma, although occasional cases are reported. It typically occurs in beef cows during early lactation and is more prevalent in older cows. The reason is thought to be that older cows are less able to mobilize magnesium reserves from the bones than are younger cows.
Grass tetany most frequently occurs when cattle are grazing lush immature grasses or small-grains pastures and tends to be more prevalent during periods of cloudy weather. Symptoms of grass tetany include incoordination, salivation, excitability (aggressive behavior toward humans) and, in the final stages, tetany, convulsions and death.
It is known that factors other than simply the magnesium content of the forage can increase the probability of grass tetany. High levels of potassium in forages can decrease absorption of magnesium, and most lush, immature forages are high in potassium. High levels of nitrogen fertilization have also been shown to increase the incidence of tetany, although feeding protein supplements has not. Other factors, such as the presence of certain organic acids in tetany-causing forages have been linked with tetany. It is likely that a combination of factors, all related to characteristics of lush forage, are involved.
When conditions for occurrence of tetany are suspected, cows should be provided mineral mixes containing 12%-15% magnesium and be consumed at 3-4 ounces (oz.) per day. It is best for the mineral supplements to be started a couple of months ahead of the period of tetany danger so that proper intake can be established.
Because tetany can also occur when calcium is low, calcium supplementation (7%) should also be included. Symptoms of tetany from deficiencies of both minerals are indistinguishable without blood tests, and the treatment consists of intravenous injections of calcium and magnesium gluconate, which supplies both minerals.
Cows grazing lush small-grain pastures should be fed mineral mixes containing both calcium and magnesium. More information about mineral supplementation for grazing cattle can be found in the Oklahoma State University Extension Circular E-861, Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition of Grazing Cattle.
Editor's Note: This article is reprinted with permission from the Cow-Calf Corner newsletter provided by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
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