How to identify grass tetany, and signs to look out for. The veterinary diagnosis for grass tetany is plasma magnesium less than 0.8mmol/l indicates subclinical hypomagnesaemia and an increased risk of developing acute hypomagnesaemia. Remember prevention is key and magnesium must be given daily to animals […]

Poor growth and increased susceptibility to infection are common features of copper deprivation in cattle (Thornton et al., 1972a,b; Whitelaw et al., 1984). Discolouration of the coat (black coat looks rusty) in an Aberdeen Angus, a brownish tinge can be given to the coat and the skin becomes mottled (Hansen et al., 2009) Diarrhoea is […]

Copper is an essential trace element as it is involved in many processes including the structure & function of skeletal, cardiovascular, nervous & immune system and normal cellular homeostasis Despite its importance, Bovine Cu deficiency is endemic in regions worldwide. A UK study (Kendall et al., 2015) showed that 16.3 per cent of cattle surveyed […]

We will be at The Dairy Show on the 4th October in the Royal Bath and West Showground, come to see us there and get a free beanie hat!

Cattle – Grass TetanyPotassium, magnesium and sodium content of herbage Magnesium and sodium levels on average across the 10 samples is relatively low. The risk of grass staggers may increase with lower levels of magnesium in the herbage; however, it is not a reliable measure on its own. Sodium levels are also important when considering […]

Historic data results from our grass samples collected across Ireland in October are quite different from what we see in July. Average Nitrogen levels in the grass are somewhat higher in October (3.5%) compared to grass sampled in July (2.8%). We have also seen an increase in levels of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, […]

December/January grass mineral values and the best products to use for out-grazing ewes. Uniblock’s latest grass testing is to help inform farmers’ decisions on supplementing grazing pregnant ewes with trace elements and minerals this winter to protect flock productivity, fertility and health and to ensure the viability of their unborn lambs. It can be difficult […]

The historic data for this sample was taken in 2020 which was an exceptionally stormy and wet month with prolonged periods of heavy rainfall which resulted in extensive flooding across the country. It was recorded that certain places had 1.5 to 3.3 times the normal monthly rainfall for February. However this is part of an […]

Grass samples were collected across Ireland in mid-June 2020. During this period, we saw much more rainfall compared to the drought conditions in places during the month of May. We experienced average temperatures in the region of 12-15 °C. However, according to GrassCheck for the commencing 8th June, grass growth remained below average (see figure […]

Grass samples were collected across the country week commencing 21st September 2020. On a whole, September has been quite a good month weather-wise across the country. However, with ups and downs in temperatures we are experiencing colder nights and frosty mornings going forward into October. There was significantly more rainfall in the week leading up […]