Magnesium chloride in cattle nutrition: healthier animals, lower emissions
Grass tetany – or hypomagnesaemia, as it’s formally known – poses a serious economic challenge for livestock farmers. It brings an immediate risk of muscle cramps, downer cows, and in severe cases, animal loss. What’s often overlooked: a significant share of the magnesium added to feed isn’t actually absorbed by the animal. In fact, studies show that up to 60% of supplemented magnesium may be lost.
In this article, we explore how an innovative magnesium source can improve animal health, help prevent losses, and contribute to environmental protection. Discover why magnesium chloride is a future-proof solution for modern agriculture, and how you can optimise magnesium intake in your herd.
Magnesium: an essential nutrient for animal health
Magnesium is a vital macronutrient that supports various biological processes in animals:
- Nerve and muscle function: Magnesium enables effective signal transmission between nerve cells and supports healthy muscle function.
- Bone health: It contributes to skeletal development and strength.
- Immune system: Magnesium supports immune defences and promotes overall well-being.
A magnesium deficiency can have serious consequences, such as grass tetany (hypomagnesaemia) in cattle. This metabolic disorder causes severe muscle cramps and can be fatal without timely intervention.
Magnesium for different animal species – with a focus on cattle
Several magnesium compounds are available in animal nutrition. Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) is particularly valuable for dairy cows, calves, sheep and goats thanks to its high solubility and fast availability. Other species, such as horses, may also benefit from alternatives like magnesium sulphate.
| Animal | Recommended magnesium source | Reason |
| Dairy cows | Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) | Constant demand – fast availability improves supply security |
| Dry and transition cows | Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) | Fast-acting magnesium helps prevent milk fever and tetany |
| Beef cattle | MgCl₂ or traditional sources, depending on need | MgCl₂ ensures a stable supply during stressful periods |
| Calves, young animals | Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) | High solubility supports sensitive digestive systems |
| Sheep, goats | Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) | Rapid absorption helps mitigate deficiency risk in sensitive animals |
In short: magnesium chloride offers a flexible solution suitable for a wide range of livestock systems, ensuring targeted and reliable magnesium intake.
Magnesium chloride: key benefits
- High bioavailability: 50–60% of the magnesium is effectively absorbed.
- Fast-acting: Crucial in acute deficiencies or high-stress periods like springtime.
- Well tolerated: Gentle on the digestive system and easy to absorb.
- Flexible use: Can be added to feed, drinking water, or used as a targeted supplement.
- Sustainable impact: Promotes struvite formation in manure – reducing ammonia losses by up to 25%.
- Long-term effect: Struvite is a valuable slow-release fertiliser that improves nutrient efficiency.
Dairy cows rely on a continuous magnesium intake, as they are unable to store significant reserves. A deficiency can quickly lead to grass tetany. That’s why a reliable and well-absorbed source like magnesium chloride is so important.
Cost-effectiveness: Efficient magnesium supplementation with magnesium chloride
Magnesium chloride stands out due to its high bioavailability and rapid effectiveness. To meet the same magnesium requirements, approximately 1.5 kg of magnesium chloride is needed to match the magnesium uptake from 1 kg of magnesium oxide.
Thanks to its superior solubility, magnesium from magnesium chloride is absorbed much more efficiently in the animal’s body. This results in:
- Reduced nutrient losses through faster and more direct absorption.
- Greater flexibility in designing feeding strategies.
- Improved nutritional security during periods of increased demand, such as in spring or during the transition period.
Note: Optimal magnesium supply not only supports animal health but also improves feed intake and digestive stability.
Sustainability with magnesium chloride: lower emissions, better resource use
Magnesium chloride does more than support animal health – it also benefits the environment. When used in manure, magnesium chloride encourages the formation of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate); a stable, low-solubility compound.
Benefits of struvite formation:
- Up to 25% reduction in ammonia emissions.
- Long-term nutrient retention: Struvite acts as an efficient, slow-release fertiliser.
- Reduced leaching: Helps prevent the loss of valuable nutrients.
- Improved soil fertility and more reliable yields.
By using magnesium chloride, farmers invest in the health of their animals while actively contributing to more sustainable agriculture and efficient resource use.
Conclusion: magnesium chloride, a smart choice for livestock and the planet
Magnesium chloride offers clear advantages for livestock operations: it ensures efficient magnesium supplementation, enhances animal welfare, and contributes to reduced emissions.
With its high bioavailability, fast-acting effect, and positive environmental impact, magnesium chloride is a future-proof solution for farmers aiming to combine cost-efficiency with sustainability.
Comparative studies on bioavailability show that magnesium chloride is absorbed more efficiently than magnesium oxide – both in human nutrition and in animal applications such as pig feeding. These properties make magnesium chloride a compelling choice for promoting animal health and supporting sustainable agriculture.
