Magnesium supplementation of lactating ewes and lamb growth

Authors: Cox BT, Bray AR, Burton RN
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 35, Issue 4, pp 55-57, Apr 1987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Animal production/wastage, Diet/rations/food, Nutrition/metabolism, Growth/development, Lactation, Milk, Minerals/elememts, Mammary gland/udder
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Ewes rearing twin lambs on a restricted ration of irrigated pasture were either supplemented daily with 12.5 mg magnesium chloride or not. Serum magnesium levels measured 24 hours after the previous day`s dose did not differ between treatments. They averaged 0.74 mmol/l during the period of supplementation with 36% of values below 0.7 mmol/l, the lower limit of the “normal” range. Milk consumption by and liveweight gains of lambs were not increased by magnesium supplementation indicating that ewe magnesium levels below 0.7 mmol/l serum did not limit production in this instance.

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