Extension
Date of this Version
8-1-1984
Abstract
Grass tetany is a nutritional or metabolic disorder in cattle characterized by low blood magnesium, yet it is not just a simple magnesium deficiency. It is also called grass staggers, wheat pasture poisoning and hypomagnesemia. It primarily affects older cows nursing calves under 8 weeks of age, but may also occur in young or dry cows and growing calves. It happens most frequently when cattle are grazing lush, immature grass, but occasionally occurs when cattle are fed dry forages (winter tetany).
Comments
© 1973-1984, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. All rights reserved. NebGuide G73-32-A (Revised August 1984), published by Cooperative Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln