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A reconnaissance survey of farmers’ awareness of hypomagnesaemic tetany in UK cattle and sheep farms

Kumssa, Diriba B.; Penrose, Beth; Bone, Peter A.; Lovatt, Alan; Broadley, Martin R.; Kendall, Nigel R.; Ander, Louise

A reconnaissance survey of farmers’ awareness of hypomagnesaemic tetany in UK cattle and sheep farms Thumbnail


Authors

Beth Penrose

Peter A. Bone

Alan Lovatt

Louise Ander



Abstract

Hypomagnesaemic tetany (HypoMgT) in ruminants is a physiological disorder caused by inadequate intake or impaired absorption of magnesium (Mg) in the gut. If it is not detected and treated in time, HypoMgT can cause the death of the affected animal. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted from July 2016-2017 to assess farmers' awareness of HypoMgT in cattle and sheep in the UK. The questionnaire was distributed to farmers at farm business events and agricultural shows, and through a collaborative group of independent veterinary practices to their clients. Farmers were asked about (i) the incidence of presumed HypoMgT (PHT); (ii) their strategies to treat or prevent HypoMgT; (iii) mineral tests on animals, forage and soil, and (iv) farm enterprise type. A total of 285 responses were received from 82 cattle, 157 mixed cattle and sheep, and 46 sheep farmers, of whom 39% reported HypoMgT in their livestock, affecting 1-30 animals. Treatment and/or prevention against HypoMgT was reported by 96% respondents with PHT and 79% of those without. Mineral tests on animal, forage, and soil was conducted by 24%, 53%, and 66% of the respondents, respectively, regardless of PHT. There was a highly significant association between the use of interventions to tackle HypoMgT and the incidence of PHT (p < 0.01). The top three treatment/prevention strategies used were reported as being free access supplementation (149), in feed supplementation (59) and direct to animal treatments (drenches, boluses and injections) (45) although these did vary by farm type. Although some (9) reported using Mg-lime, no other pasture management interventions were reported (e.g., Mg-fertilisation or sward composition). Generally, the results indicate that UK farmers are aware of the risks of HypoMgT. A more integrated soil-forage-animal assessment may improve the effectiveness of tackling HypoMgT and help highlight the root causes of the problem.

Citation

Kumssa, D. B., Penrose, B., Bone, P. A., Lovatt, A., Broadley, M. R., Kendall, N. R., & Ander, L. (2019). A reconnaissance survey of farmers’ awareness of hypomagnesaemic tetany in UK cattle and sheep farms. PLoS ONE, 14(10), Article e022386. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223868

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 4, 2019
Online Publication Date Oct 11, 2019
Publication Date Oct 11, 2019
Deposit Date Oct 11, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal PLoS ONE
Electronic ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher Public Library of Science
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 14
Issue 10
Article Number e022386
DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223868
Keywords 42 Beef; dairy; grass tetany; magnesium; mineral; ruminant 43 44 45
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2806207
Publisher URL https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223868

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