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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #59864
Title: EXPERIMENTAL HIGH MAGNESIUM TALL FESCUE

Author
item SLEPER, D - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item Mayland, Henry

Submitted to: Missouri Agricultural Station Special Report
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/31/1994
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Cattle grazing lush grass pastures may develop grass tetany. The problem occurs when the animals do not eat enough readily available magnesium. HiMag tall fescue was selected to reduce this risk. Animals grazing HiMag absorbed more magnesium and calcium than when grazing other varieties. This variety may be an answer to those livestock men who currently experience large economic losses because of this number one nutritional problem.

Technical Abstract: HiMag is a tall fescue grass species that was selected because of its elevated concentrations of magnesium and calcium. Cattle grazing this variety, absorbed more magnesium and calcium than those grazing four other varieties of tall fescue. HiMag may greatly reduce the risk of tetany in animals grazing this forage.