There are times of the year when producers get nervous and start implementing management strategies to reduce what might be around the corner.

At this time of year it can be grass tetany.

Grass tetany has an ugly head, and it’s starting to show again. It’s ugly because it kills a cow very quickly, often with little notice.

I have heard reports from producers in the Tumbarumba district that they are seeing what they believe to be grass tetany.

Grass tetany is principally a magnesium deficiency in cattle that causes nervousness, excitement, staggering and often death.

It occurs more on grass pastures, as these have lower magnesium levels than legume-based pastures.

Cattle with high magnesium requirements are the most affected. Generally these are cows with calves at foot, pumping out heaps of magnesium in their milk.

Often it’s the older, fatter cows that are most at risk.

However, it can also kill cows that are heavily pregnant, and it can be a difficult condition to manage. 

In this district there are many cattle grazing dual-purpose cereal crops.

Cereal crops can be low in magnesium as they are a ‘grass’ rather than a legume.

They are also very high in water content at the moment, diluting what magnesium they have even more so.

The combination of lactating cows on grazing cereals is a cause for sleepless nights.

While spring calving herds won’t start calving for a few more weeks, cows with late autumn calves are highly susceptible right now.

Stress is a contributing factor to getting grass tetany.