Hi-Mag Mineral for Cattle in Spring: Preventing Grass Tetany in Oregon Pastures

In Oregon’s early spring, when lush forage often doesn’t have enough magnesium relative to potassium and nitrogen, a Hi-Mag mineral for cattle can act as important nutritional insurance against magnesium deficiency and grass tetany in grazing cattle.

Hi-Mag mineral supplements provide magnesium and other key minerals and vitamins that support cattle health during a critical time of year. These supplements often include salt and molasses to encourage consistent intake while cattle are grazing rapidly growing spring pasture.

At Burns Feed Store in Gresham, Oregon, we carry several Hi-Mag mineral products designed to help support cattle during the high risk spring grazing season.

Why Hi-Mag Mineral for Cattle Is Important in Oregon Early Spring

In early spring, new grass grows quickly and is often:

• High in potassium

• High in nitrogen

• Low in magnesium

This combination can reduce the animal’s ability to absorb magnesium from the diet, even if the grass technically contains some.

Cattle grazing these lush pastures are at risk for grass tetany, also called:

• Grass staggers

• Magnesium deficiency

Grass tetany is a potentially fatal metabolic disorder caused by low blood magnesium levels. The risk is highest during early spring pasture growth.

Benefits of Hi-Mag Mineral Supplements

Hi-Mag mineral products help support cattle health by delivering magnesium and other important nutrients that grazing cattle may not receive from spring pasture alone.

Supplemental Magnesium

Magnesium is the key ingredient that helps maintain healthy blood magnesium levels in grazing cattle.

Helps Reduce Risk of Grass Tetany

Providing magnesium before or during early spring pasture growth can help reduce the risk of tetany symptoms such as:

• Muscle trembling

• Unsteady gait

• Nervousness or excitability

• Collapse or death in severe cases

Salt and Palatability

Many Hi-Mag mineral products include salt and molasses to attract cattle and encourage consistent intake.

Trace Minerals and Vitamins

Most Hi-Mag mineral supplements also include additional nutrients such as:

• Selenium

• Zinc

• Copper

• Vitamins A, D, and E

These nutrients support overall cattle health as part of a balanced mineral program.

Hi-Mag Mineral Products Available at Burns Feed Store

Burns Feed Store carries several products designed to support cattle during the high risk spring grazing season, including:

• Mol-Mag blocks

• Hi-Mag mineral tubs

• Loose Hi-Mag minerals

Each option helps provide the supplemental magnesium cattle need when lush spring pasture increases the risk of grass tetany.

The best option often depends on your herd size, feeding setup, and pasture conditions.

Supporting Spring Cattle Health in Oregon

Spring pasture can be excellent nutrition for cattle, but it can also increase the risk of magnesium deficiency during rapid grass growth.

Using a Hi-Mag mineral for cattle during this period can help support healthy magnesium levels and reduce the risk of grass tetany in grazing herds.

If you are preparing cattle for spring pasture, stop by Burns Feed Store in Gresham, Oregon. Our team can help you choose the right Hi-Mag mineral products for your herd and pasture conditions.