Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 9 · column 3 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
By TOMMY WILLIAMS
Extension Ajent. Agriculture
The cold, rainy, overcast and windy days that are normal for winter and early spring combine to ensure the conditions that can trigger a deadly peril for many cows.
These “normal” weather conditions seem to trigger cases of grass tetany in many brood cows. Grass tetany is blamed on low magnesium levels in the blood of cows in an advanced stage of pregnancy or already nursing young calves.
It is mostly seen during the winter or spring, when these animals have free access to lush small grain winter grazing.
Farmers often used mixed fertilizers supplemented with nitrogen on small grains for winter grazing. It is the heavy nitrogen application for that fast, lush growth that may be harmful.
Soil pH could be a factor, too, and should be adequate. In some cases of grass tetany, cows show7 low blood calcium, along with low magnesium..- nesium..Cows
can be treated successfully for grass tetany if they are watched closely and caught in the early stages. Affected cows, in the early stages, will be staggering and stiffgaited and will have twitching muscles. If they are down, they may have trouble getting up or be unable to get up at all. Before going down, some cows will be very excitable and may aggressivlv charge anyone who approaches them.
In severe cases, a cow may be down broadside with her head flexed
78.4%