Role of sodium deficiency and excess nitrates in grass tetany

Grass tetany is a complex disease that causes significant economic losses for livestock producers every year. Like putting together a puzzle, more and more of the pieces are coming together so that we can understand the true causes of this disease. What we once thought was primarily a magnesium deficiency, is now recognized to be a combination of excess nitrates and potassium in combination with inadequate salt consumption. Increasing sodium consumption improves magnesium absorption and nitrate excretion, both keys to preventing grass tetany.