Mineral Feeding

Around this time of year, we start giving the cows an extra magnesium supplement (Nutri-Mag), to assist in the prevention of hypomagnesaemia (grass staggers) in cattle.

It is important that the cows have enough of this mineral prior to, and after calving, as without it, they can get grass staggers, which, in the worse case scenario, could mean that the cow may die.

This photo shows my son C, spreading the Nutri-Mag dust on the hay so the cows will eat it. Once the cows have calved, it then gets spread on the paddock by a mini spreader towed behind the quad bike. We usually feed it out until mid October/early November.

Nutri-Mag is horrible stuff - it makes your skin really dry, and if you get it in your hair, it makes it very stiff and thick feeling. I really don't know how the cows can eat the stuff!