The conference will be held at the Southwestern Community College campus in Creston, and runs from 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, to noon on Wednesday, June 26. In addition to breakout sessions and a producer panel, the event also has a pasture walk and barbeque meal on the evening of June 25.  More details…

Cows with nursing calves that are under 4 months of age are at greatest risk for grass tetany when they are grazing lush, rapidly growing grass pastures. Early signs of grass tetany are restlessness, nervousness and flighty behavior, twitching of the skin and muscles that progress to muscle spasms and convulsions, loss of coordination and staggering. Eventually the animal will collapse, lie on her side and paddle with her front legs. However many producers find a dead animal before observing symptoms because the interval between the first symptoms and death can be as short as 4 to 8 hours. If symptoms are detected treatment involves administering supplemental magnesium.

The best way of dealing with grass tetany is through prevention. Dr. Rick Rasby from Nebraska recommends providing mineral mixes containing 12 – 15% magnesium consumed at 3- 4 ounces per day. It is best for the supplements to be started a couple of months ahead of the period of tetany danger so that proper intake can be established. Because tetany can also occur when calcium is low, calcium supplementation should also be included. Symptoms of tetany from deficiencies of both minerals are indistinguishable without blood tests and the treatment consists of intravenous injections of calcium and magnesium gluconate, which supplies both minerals.

Other methods to reduce the risk of grass tetany is to include legumes in the pasture, avoid nitrogen and potassium fertilizer applications in the spring of the year, and manage grazing so that animals are grazing plants greater than 6 inches in height.

My counterpart, John Dhuyvetter from North Dakota State University, has a nice article on forage value which directly impacts the cost of producing beef. He has some good suggestions and thought provoking questions on how producers can enhance yields through management, reduce loses and minimize needs. Which of these may work for your operation? Remember, as our costs go up we need to think outside our conventional production system and explore new opportunities!

“These projects are a partnership between federal, state and local organizations that are committed to improving Iowa’s water quality,” said Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “By supporting projects that address runoff and drainage, sedimentation, urban stormwater, groundwater pollution, flooding, and a number of other issues, these projects are focused on issues that directly impact the state’s waterways and water quality.”  read more

Managing Through Stress: A Livestock Information Event Is Feb. 4 | Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.