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Increase magnesium before calving, cattle farmers advised
Farmers are being advised to increase magnesium in suckler cow pre-calving minerals.
Study suggests cows absorb less magnesium than previously thought

SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College, is advising farmers to increase the level of magnesium in minerals given to suckler cows before calving.

The advice comes after a study by the National Research Council (NRC) in the United States found that magnesium from rock sources has about half the absorption levels than previously thought.

Karen Stewart from SAC Consulting said: “The current guideline is 10 per cent magnesium in a pre-calving mineral for normal silage rations and I think the revised absorption coefficients would justify an increase to 15 per cent magnesium to take account of the reduced absorption.”

Low levels of magnesium can lead to staggers - a condition that causes cows to lose their balance. It is also critical for cows to mobilise their calcium reserves and to minimise the risk of slow calving.

The NRC and Bill Weiss, a professor of dairy cattle nutrition at Ohio State University, have given some indications of changes they are making to availability for magnesium. They suggest that cows absorb less magnesium than previously thought.

In the UK, magnesium oxide is the most common form used in mineral supplements. SAC Consulting says that given the recent information, and depending on diet, it would be advisable to increase magnesium levels in suckler cow pre-calving minerals.

Ms Stewart added: “Magnesium plays a vital role in helping cows mobilise their own reserves of calcium to help with muscle contractions. Low magnesium is associated with slow calvings. If staggers is considered a particular risk or the silage has particularly high potassium levels as a result of slurry applications, further supplementation may be considered.

She continued “This spring the risk of slow calvings will be higher as a result of cows being high body condition score.Getting a full silage analysis including minerals, and planning pre-calving rations with nutritional advice, will be particularly important ahead of spring calving 2020.”

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.