Effects of conventional daily magnesium supplementation, breed of ewe and continued potassium fertilizer applications on plasma magnesium and calcium levels of ewes

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Abstract
1. Muriate of potash applied at rates of 0, 1 and 2 cwt./acre to herbage which had also received similar treatments in the previous year did not influence plasma magnesium or calcium values in lactating ewes.2. 24 Cheviot ewes had slightly lower plasma calcium and magnesium levels than 24 Half-bred ewes of the same age both before and after lambing.3. 6·6 g. of magnesium oxide given as a daily drench did not increase plasma magnesium values as measured by blood samples taken 24 hr. after drenching. Values were however increased by 0·5 mg. Mg/100 ml. four hours after drenching.4. No clinical cases of hypomagnesaemic tetany occurred, even although the mean plasma magnesium level of all the ewes in the experiment was only about 1·0 mg./lOO ml.5. Plasma magnesium values of ewes before lambing were significantly (P < 0·001) correlated with post-lambing levels. Values for the ewes during 1962 were equally significantly correlated with levels for the same sheep at comparable dates in 1961.