{"id":12895,"date":"2024-05-20T15:41:37","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T15:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/?p=12895"},"modified":"2026-05-25T09:42:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T09:42:40","slug":"grass-staggers-in-cattle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/grass-staggers-in-cattle\/","title":{"rendered":"Grass staggers: When pasture turns deadly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Farmer Guide<\/div>\n\n

Grass staggers in cattle: what farmers need to know<\/h1>\n\n

\n Grass staggers is a serious metabolic condition caused by low blood magnesium levels.\n Although cases are relatively uncommon, it can develop quickly and may be fatal, making awareness, prevention,\n and prompt treatment essential for protecting cattle health.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Cattle health<\/span>\n Metabolic disorders<\/span>\n Medicine records<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n 1<\/span>\n Caused by low blood magnesium levels<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 2<\/span>\n Often affects pregnant and lactating cattle<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 3<\/span>\n Can develop quickly and become fatal<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 4<\/span>\n Prevention depends on consistent magnesium intake<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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What is grass staggers?<\/h2>\n\n

\n Hypomagnesaemia, more commonly known as grass staggers, is a metabolic disorder caused by low levels of magnesium in the blood.\n Magnesium is essential for energy production, muscle function, and nerve function.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Because magnesium is not easily released from body tissues when demand increases, cattle require a consistent daily intake\n through the diet. If that intake is not met, animals can quickly become deficient and develop serious clinical signs.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n While the annual incidence of grass staggers in the UK is relatively low, recently calved beef cattle make up a large proportion of cases.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n \u201cGrass staggers can progress rapidly, so prevention and early action are critical.\u201d\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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What causes grass staggers?<\/h2>\n\n

\n Grass staggers is most likely to occur when cattle do not consume enough magnesium to meet their daily needs.\n Several management and feeding factors can increase this risk.\n <\/p>\n\n