Preparation for turnout – are you ready?
30th April 2024
With
Read MoreEstimations suggest that 1% of cattle in the UK will experience clinical grass staggers, with up to 30% of all clinical cases resulting in death and significant direct losses. A far larger percentage of animals, including ewes, will experience sub-clinical cases that may affect overall animal performance.
Grass staggers, otherwise known as grass tetany or hypomagnesaemia, is a very real threat for suckler and dairy cows at turnout as well as ewes post-lambing. However, it is easily managed by assessing and managing the on-farm risks and farmers are urged to consider options early this year, as a result of the extreme winter weather the UK has seen and the expected rapid flush in grass growth as temperatures begin to increase.
Grass staggers is defined as a deficiency of available dietary magnesium. Magnesium is a key macro-nutrient in the diet and is essential for bone growth and maintenance, nervous system function and also as an aid to fibre digestion in the rumen.
Rapidly growing spring grass typically has a low magnesium content (0.1 to 0.2% in dry matter) which, combined with its low dry matter and rapid transit through the rumen, can result in very low levels of magnesium absorption into the animal’s bloodstream. Magnesium is predominantly stored in the bones of the animal and consequently is not readily available when dietary supply is compromised. Stock therefore rely on daily magnesium supplementation to maintain adequate blood magnesium levels at times where risk is increased such as spring, and autumn.
In addition to the low magnesium content of spring grass, a number of other dietary factors can compromise magnesium absorption in ruminants, further elevating the problem of grass staggers:
To help alleviate the risk of grass staggers long fibre should always be available in the form of hay or silage, to help slow the transition of wet spring grass through the rumen. It is also essential to maintain dietary energy levels (notably starch and sugar) to help prevent excess rumen ammonia, dry matter intake, an adequate supply of minerals, trace elements and vitamins, and to also ensure a suitable supplementary sodium (salt) source is available to readdress the sodium to potassium ratio. Finally, and most importantly, it is vital to ensure stock have daily access to a suitable magnesium supplement.
Magnesium is typically an unpalatable mineral, so by presenting it in a molassed free-access lick, farmers can be assured that their stock has a reliable supplement to complement their diet. Ideally, magnesium supplements should be offered up to two weeks pre-turnout to better prepare stock for changes. Then, by turnout, they are familiar with the supplements and are not faced with a deficit.
Grass staggers is a common, well-known challenge at turnout that can be fatal, however, it’s easily avoided by predicting where the main risks are and addressing them with suitable magnesium supplements.
DOWNLOAD the NWF Feed & Mineral Bucket Leaflet.
For a quotation contact your local NWF feed specialist or call us on 0800 756 2787 or email us at sales@nwfagriculture.co.uk
Whatever your farming system we provide expert advice and solutions to help farm businesses
18th April 2024
Maize is a key part of many dairy diets, choosing the right seed is paramount to ensuring the end plant meets the dietary requirements. The maize harvest from 2023 didn’t see the best outcomes despite yielding well. The crop maturity, cob development and starch deposition were poor, likely due to the unusually high rainfall and lack of sun in August. Given this it is important to have maize silages analysed as well as grass silage to ensure diets are suitably balanced.
Read MorePre-Weaning Management: Rearing for Success with NWF
8th April 2024
When beginning to rear calves there are many elements to consider, however, supplying the correct nutrition is arguably one of the most important. This is due to the influence that pre-weaning growth has on heifers as they enter dairy herds. Correct nutrition at a time when the feed conversion ratio is at the highest in her lifetime is critical to long-term success.
Read MoreContact Us
Contact Enquiries on: 0800 756 2787
for Orders: sales@nwfagriculture.co.uk
or call: 0800 262 397
Thursday 6th June – Saturday 8th June 2024
Royal Cornwall Showground, Whitecross, PL27 7JE
Visit the NWF trade stand and meet the team at the Royal Cornwall Show 2024. The NWF Sales Team will be offering information and advice on dairy, beef & sheep compounds, blends and associated products.
http://www.royalcornwallshow.org/Tuesday 9th July – Friday 12th July 2024
Great Yorkshire Showground, Railway Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ
Visit the NWF trade stand and meet the team at the Great Yorkshire Show 2024 for information on our dairy, beef and sheep feed range and associated products.
Wednesday 31st July 2024
Reaseheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF
Visit the NWF trade stand and meet the team at Nantwich Show for information on our dairy, beef and sheep feed range and associated products.
https://www.nantwichshow.orgNational Beef Expo 2024
UK Dairy Expo 2024
NWF Women in Dairy Event
NWF Sheep Farmer Meeting
Contact Us
Contact Enquiries on: 0800 756 2787
for Orders: sales@nwfagriculture.co.uk
or call: 0800 262 397
Contact Us
Contact Enquiries on: 0800 756 2787
for Orders: sales@nwfagriculture.co.uk
or call: 0800 262 397