How to protect cattle from grass tetany this spring
September marks the start of spring across Australia, and with it comes the heightened risk of grass tetany in many grazing regions. While this metabolic condition is often associated with autumn, the lush, fast-growing pastures of spring can be just as dangerous, particularly for mature, lactating spring calving cows.
Prevention is vital. Waiting until conditions are at their highest risk can be too late, as grass tetany often strikes suddenly and without warning. Putting proactive measures in place now ensures your herd is better protected before the season’s growth flush places extra pressure on magnesium absorption.
Why grass tetany risk is high this spring
Grass tetany (hypomagnesaemia) occurs when cattle cannot absorb enough magnesium from their diet. The condition is most common in mature, lactating cows grazing lush, rapidly growing forage, which is often high in potassium and nitrogen which causes poor magnesium availability.
Contributing factors include:
- Rapid pasture growth → reduces magnesium uptake.
- High potassium levels in spring feed → interfere with magnesium absorption.
- Cold, wet, or windy conditions → lower feed intake and increase animal stress.
- Physiological demand → older cows, particularly those in milk, have increased magnesium requirements, especially with younger calves that are 100% reliant on milk.
Left unchecked, grass tetany can cause sudden death, making prevention and monitoring essential at this time of year.
How Yellow Cap supports in high-risk periods
Yellow Cap has been specifically formulated to help producers combat grass tetany and milk fever during these high-risk times. Its formulation works by:
- Supporting magnesium absorption in cattle.
- Helping neutralise high nitrate levels in green feed.
- Providing reassurance during seasonal spikes when the risk of sudden loss is at its highest.
For effective prevention, the recommended dose is 25ml for adult cattle once every 3 weeks, delivered through the Beachport Dispenser over a 3-day period. At just $0.62 per dose, it’s a small price to pay to protect your herd and save valuable livestock lives, while ensuring a steady supply of magnesium and other essential nutrients at the times when animals need it most.
Beyond grass tetany: year-round benefits of Yellow Cap
While spring grass tetany prevention is front of mind now, many producers continue to use Yellow Cap as part of a broader herd nutrition program throughout the year. The benefits extend well beyond magnesium support:
- Pregnancy nutrition: Yellow Cap provides vital trace elements and amino acids that support the health of both mother and developing foetus. This contributes to stronger pregnancies, healthier calves at birth, and better overall reproductive performance.
- Newborn survivability: By supporting maternal nutrition, Yellow Cap helps improve colostrum quality and immune transfer, which plays a key role in the survivability and vitality of newborn calves.
- General herd resilience: The balance of trace elements and electrolytes also supports overall animal health and productivity, making Yellow Cap a versatile supplement across multiple stages of production, not just during tetany-prone seasons.
Take action this spring
Don’t wait until grass tetany risk peaks, protect your herd before it strikes. Call Scott Colbert on 0418 833 857 today to learn more about how Yellow Cap can help safeguard your cattle this spring and deliver ongoing benefits for herd health year-round.