Kay Dee offers three livestock supplements that contain high levels of magnesium to help prevent grass tetany. Start feeding a Kay Dee magnesium supplement one month before grass starts growing rapidly in early spring.

Grass tetany is a deficiency of magnesium in the blood. It is most common among lactating cows grazing on early spring grasses. Grass tetany can lower weight gain, reduce milk production, and decrease weaning weights. Feeding a Kay Dee high-magnesium supplement will help prevent grass tetany.

What causes grass tetany?
Most cases of grass tetany occur in the spring when grass is young and lush. Availability of magnesium is reduced in early grass due to the accumulation of ammonium, which interferes with magnesium absorption. Absorption of magnesium is further reduced when greater amounts of ammonia are released in the rumen following rapid ingestion of large quantities of lush green pasture.

What are the symptoms of grass tetany?
Common symptoms of grass tetany are solo grazing away from the herd, irritability, muscular twitching in the flank, wide-eyed staring, muscular incoordination, goose-stepping, staggering, collapse, head in the back position, thrashing, coma, and death.

How is grass tetany prevented?
Cattle grazing on lush, early spring grasses should be fed supplemental magnesium. Feeding should start at least one month prior to the tetany season. Since magnesium is very unpalatable, it should be fed with other, more palatable supplements.