Spring weather might feel like a distant dream right now, but it’s just around the corner. Before long, the ice and snow will melt away (if you get any), and your pastures will come alive with lush green forages. This seasonal shift is a welcome sight for many, signaling new growth and fresh grazing opportunities for your herd. But lurking behind all that greenery is a hidden danger. This silent threat can strike quickly and severely impact your cows’ health and production. This threat is called grass tetany.
As winter fades and spring takes over, the moisture left behind combines with rising temperatures to kickstart your grasses into their “Spring Greenup.” It’s an exciting time when dormant pastures burst into rapid growth, painting your fields in vibrant shades of green. While this transformation may seem like a farmer’s dream come true, it’s not without its risks. This rapid growth brings unique challenges, and one of the most concerning is the risk of grass tetany. This condition can wreak havoc on your herd if you’re not prepared.
If you’ve never heard of grass tetany, you might wonder, “What exactly is it?” “How could it affect my operation?” and most importantly, “What can I do to prevent it?” These are essential questions every cattle producer should ask. Grass tetany is a metabolic disorder linked to low magnesium levels in your cows’ blood, often triggered by grazing on lush, rapidly growing pastures. To help you understand the risks and solutions, let’s break it down so you can keep your herd safe this spring.
Wheat pastures are a treasure trove for cattle operations, particularly in regions like Texas, where the climate allows producers to extend grazing seasons and optimize land use. Wheat, with its high-quality forage and dual purpose as a grain crop, is a boon for profitability, supporting both grazing and grain production. This versatile crop is a smart strategy to maximize your pasture, keeping costs in check while providing cattle with essential nutrition.
When people hear ‘grass tetany,’ they usually think of spring – lush grasses, green pastures, and cows grazing happily. But tetany can sneak up on you even in winter when you feed your cows hay or silage. However, it can also happen when cattle are fed harvested forages like silage or hay.
Winter grazing management can 
Nutrition significantly affects your herd’s health during the cold winter months. Producers should plan ahead for their fall and winter forages to meet this need. There are many factors to consider when figuring out how much hay will be needed.
Nutrition is essential year-round. Everything hinges on the cow’s nutritional needs being met, from putting on weight for the market to reentering the reproduction cycle. However, meeting these demands can be complicated.
Drought can be devastating. Forages stop producing, making it difficult for ranchers to make food. Drought can make things seem bleak.
