KEEPING PASTURES SAFE

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

It is surprising how both
cattle and sheep will
leave nice green pasture
to chew on dry hay.

To prevent grass tetany, spray pasture with a 2% magnesium sulphate solution (epsom salts, 2 pounds to 12 1/2 gallons of water) just before turning animals out. Liming with high magnesium lime during the fall is another solution. Remember that young, fast-growing green plants are low on magnesium.

You might be able to prevent grass tetany on wheat this spring by turning only non-milking animals out to chew it down first. Or turn the milking animals out for only a few hours at a time, making sure their bellies are full of dry hay first. With a small herd, try throwing piles of dry hay around the pasture for the first week. It is surprising how both cattle and sheep will leave nice green pasture to chew on dry hay. As I think back on cases of grass tetany I've seen, most occurred during wet, cold springs when cattle were suddenly put on pasture both day and night from barn feeding.

Looking ahead, sow winter rye instead of wheat next fall. Rye makes good pasture in spring too, and the incidence of grass tetany is less than on wheat. It is important to know that grass tetany can occur in cattle and sheep even on good pasture, particularly those in full milk production during cold, wet springs. Watch animals closely for such early symptoms as staggering or weakness before they go down. If they do go down, get veterinary help immediately. Ordinary milk-fever treatment won't help, and mixtures containing potassium and/or phosphorous can kill.

Q. Last fall we were given Cocoa, a beautiful Shetland pony mare to keep for the winter. At the time, the owner gave us instructions on care and feeding. Although he intended to pick Cocoa up in the spring, a letter came in January saying he would not return. The pony was ours to keep. A postscript on the letter said "Don't turn Cocoa out to pasture until the cows have chewed it down a bit." What is he referring to?

A. Most ponies and many heavy draft-type horses, will founder (develop acute laminitis) with the sudden change to lush green pasture. The condition also occurs if they are over-fed grain or have unlimited access to fermented feeds, such as silage.

Founder is a condition in which the space between the sensitive and the insensitive part of the hoof becomes engorged with blood. The reason why is not completely understood. The affected animal will appear to be "glued to the ground" or severely lame, carrying its weight around on its rear legs. At first glance, one might think the rear feet are affected, but it's usually the front feet. The hooves will feel hot, and one can detect a definite pulse on the rear outside of the pastern bone. If not properly cared for, permanent lameness will develop. Such animal grow long narrow hooves, curved up in front like sled runners.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print