Metabolic disorders- hypomagnesemia

Magnesium cannot be stored efficiently in the body; therefore, cattle depend on daily dietary intake.

Primary causes:

1. Low dietary magnesium

Occurs in:

·        Rapidly growing pastures

·        Spring grass

·        Winter wheat pasture

2. Reduced magnesium absorption

Due to:

·        High potassium intake

·        High nitrogen fertilization

·        High calcium intake

·        Low sodium

3. Increased magnesium requirement

Occurs in:

·        Early lactation

·        Stress

·        Cold weather

·        Transport

3. Predisposing Factors

Risk increases with:

Animal factors:

·        Older cows

·        Lactating cows

·        High milk producers

·        Beef cows more than dairy in pasture systems

Nutritional factors:

·        Lush green pasture

·        High potassium grass

·        Heavy nitrogen fertilization

·        Low fiber diet

·        Low magnesium intake

Environmental factors:

·        Cold weather

·        Rain

·        Sudden pasture changes

·        Stress