Magnesium oxide in proper nutrition of fattening and dairy cows. Combating and preventing pasture tetany.

Grass tetany in breeding cattle - both fatteners and dairy cows - is an often underestimated metabolic disorder, which is caused by nutritional errors. The basic cause of this disease syndrome is a decrease in the level of magnesium in the blood of the animal, and this process is caused by an insufficient supply of magnesium in its diet.

The symptoms of pasture tetany are:

- reduced appetite and thus lower fat intake,
- diarrhea
- in the case of dairy cows, reduced milk production,
- progressive loss of condition that can lead to the destruction of the body and even death of the animal.

Other symptoms of too low magnesium content in the feed may be:

- muscle tremors,
- numbness and muscle spasms,
- restlessness and abnormal agitation,
- anxiety.

The syndrome of reduced magnesium content in the blood of breeding cattle is wrongly associated most often with pasture tetany. Spring meadow grazing is the most common and easily identifiable cause of this metabolic disorder. Fresh, intensively growing green fodder is characterized by high palatability and after the winter break in availability is eagerly eaten by farm animals. Unfortunately, intensive plant growth results in a low content of macronutrients, especially magnesium. This means that, apart from the spring period of introducing green fodder to the animals' diet after the winter break, we lower our vigilance to the symptoms of magnesium deficiencies. Meanwhile, this problem can occur at any time of the year.

The role of magnesium in the cow's body.

Magnesium is one of the basic macronutrients. The cow's body is unable to produce it on its own and must be taken in with food. Unfortunately, most of the magnesium taken with food is excreted from the body with feces and urine, and in the case of dairy cows also with milk. Only a small part of the magnesium taken in with the feed is actually deposited in the body. About 50% of magnesium is deposited in the bone tissue. Another 45% of magnesium is contained in the muscles, and only about 5% is in the extracellular space. Magnesium is, along with calcium and phosphorus, three elements responsible for the process of building and strengthening the skeleton. It is the skeleton that is the first reservoir of magnesium when it is lacking. In addition, magnesium is essential for proper muscle function. In a duet with calcium, it harmoniously leads to muscle contraction and relaxation. Calcium is a signal for muscle contraction, and magnesium is responsible for their secondary relaxation. When magnesium ions are not properly managed, the interaction between calcium and magnesium is disturbed, so that tense muscles cannot relax again. This leads to weakness, tension and tremors and muscle spasms. How dangerous this situation is in extreme cases of magnesium deficiency concerning the heart muscle does not need to be explained to anyone. Magnesium is also a very important element for the nervous system. It is responsible for alleviating nervous arousal. Even a small deficiency can lead to increased susceptibility to stress, nervousness, anxiety, and even panic attacks. With magnesium deficiency, there is also anorexia and reduced milk production.

Feed supplementation with magnesium oxide.

In order to prevent magnesium deficiency in the diet of farm animals, it is necessary to supplement feed with magnesium oxide. About 30-50 g per cow per day is sufficient. Experts say it is good practice to give about 80% of the daily dose in the form of two TMR feeds and the rest in small portions with PMR concentrates. Magnesium oxide administered in this way together with other dietary supplements, e.g. sodium bicarbonate or soda ash, not only affects the magnesium content in the blood, but also stabilizes the pH of the rumen content. This prevents the pH of the rumen contents from falling below the acidic barrier. By using calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide at the same time, we use the synergistic effect of both supplements while counteracting acidosis and magnesium deficiency.

To sum up. Pasture tetany is a serious seasonal metabolic disorder resulting from a lack of magnesium in the diet. However, conscious and skilful supplementation of feed with magnesium oxide can effectively eliminate the symptoms and, above all, prevent their occurrence. Continuous observation of the breeding herd and continuous supplementation of the diet will protect the animals against micronutrient deficiencies also outside the pasture season.

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*This article is for informational purposes only. The presented description, in particular the use of the products, is exemplary and constitutes non-binding information about the characteristics and possibilities of their use/application. In any case, before using the product, consult a specialist whether the specific use is safe and justified. We do not bear any responsibility for the use of the proposed solutions, even in very similar situations.