In every industry there are certain things that make a difference and at times it is quite possible to overlook the obvious. In almost all types of farming one of these is the use of magnesium.
The amount of magnesium in soils has a big impact on how well a farm will perform. It is hard to think of another element (apart from calcium) that influences a farm’s profitability so much. True, every single element is important whether it is a trace element or a major element such as N.P.K.S.
In the soil, magnesium rates alongside calcium. Both are major cations, but while they are important care must be taken to apply the correct rates. Magnesium ate right rate will help keep the soil friable. Too little magnesium and soil will tend to be compacted. Too much, and the soils will be equally unworkable. Most magnesium sourced from New Zealand mines will take months to start working. Because of this soil applied magnesium will need to be applied well ahead of time.
Magnesium is an important element for rapid plant growth. Magnesium is important for photosynthesis because it forms The central atom of chlorophyll. Therefore without sufficient amounts of magnesium, plants begin to degrade the chlorophyll in the old leaves causing chlorosis, or yellowing between leaf veins, which stay green.
Magnesium is mobile in nature, the plant takes the magnesium from the older leaves and transfers it to the younger leaves which have greater photosynthetic needs.
Magnesium is an extremely important element for all stock. It is defined as a macro element, which means it is required in large quantities. Magnesium is vital for a number of different functions in the body; including relaxation of muscles and nerves, utilisation of calcium and converting sugar to energy. Magnesium is not stored well as a reserve in the body, therefore stock need their daily requirement from feed intake.
Often Farmers blood test for elements including magnesium.
However, some magnesium can be stored in limited amounts in various parts of the body. If magnesium is short in the blood, it with transfer this element from other areas to the blood. The only conclusion is if magnesium is deficient in the blood, there will be none anywhere else in that animal. Minor deficiencies in the blood will show as a sub-clinical problem. Sub-clinical deficiencies will lose10 percent production.
There are some indicators for sub-clinical symptoms that farmers should look for in cows, these include; the head down, lack of energy and flighty when shifting or in the shed.
Essential elements in Spring