Winter tetany

is a concern

The middle part of December was a wake-up call for many area cattle producers to be on the guard for tetany problems in cattle. Several local cattleman were greeted with the unwelcome surprise of finding one or more dead cows in the pasture field. The weather conditions were set-up perfectly with a few unseasonably warm days permitting a quick burst of new growth for grasses and clovers. This can cause grass tetany in cattle and result in death.

In actuality, what was attributed to grass tetany were really cases of winter tetany.

“Winter tetany” occurs in wintertime when cows are fed harvested feed. Grass hays, including wheat hay, tend to be low in magnesium and need to be properly supplemented. Supplementation of low quality hay requires an additional form of magnesium. Two of the easiest ways to provide this supplement are by feeding a high magnesium in minerals or blocks.

In reality, tetany can occur in some form at any time of the year. What’s needed is feed with low magnesium levels and high calcium and potassium levels, or levels that are out of proportion during stress situations like extreme cold weather.

Cows nursing one to three month old calves are the highest risk animals because mature animals have less ability to mobilize magnesium from their bones to meet their requirements. Heavy milking cows are the most susceptible to tetany.

The time between the first signs and death may be as short as four to eight hours. Early symptoms of tetany-afflicted cows are nervousness, muscular twitching along the face, shoulder and flank. It progresses to staggering, when cattle fall on their sides with the head thrown back, excessive salivation and grinding of the teeth. Because this all happens so quickly usually the symptom a producer notices is a dead cow.

Knowledgeable cattlemen are the best defense against tetany. It is very important to have a good, year-round mineral program in addition to having nutrient analysis done on feeds. At today’s market prices the loss of a single cow can easily be over a thousand dollars. Can you afford not to be on the defense against tetany?

Dead animal burial cost share program

Currently the Clinton Soil Conservation District is offering cost share assistance for proper burial of dead livestock weighing over 300 lbs.

For more information about the requirements of the program, contact the SCD office in Albany at 387-5196, extension 3.

Twin Lakes Cattlemen’s Association kicks off new year

The Twin Lakes Cattle Assn. kicked off its new year with a membership meeting on December 19 in Albany. CPC Commodities of Fountain Run, sponsored a ribeye steak dinner and Bill McIver, formerly of Albany, was the guest speaker and gave a very informative talk.

Our local association is looking forward to an exciting and informative 2014 and welcomes anyone who wishes to become a member. Annual dues are $15 per person. For more information contact Dr. Charles Daily at the Albany Animal Clinic or call 387-5086.

Until next time keep putting on the pounds.

Steve