Raw material and nutrient lexicon

Magnesium is a building block for bones, cartilage and teeth. Magnesium is also found in the muscles, body fluids and brain. In combination with calcium, magnesium is necessary for the functions of the nerves and muscles. It is a component of various ferments and is involved in calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Since the body cannot build up large magnesium reserves, a daily supply is necessary with the food. Sucking young animals in the first weeks of life have a very high absorption capacity for magnesium (50-80 %). This decreases as the animals grow older (adult animals eight to 30 %). On average, the magnesium utilisation of the rations is 20-30 %, but drops to ten to 15 % with pasture grass and other green forage. Since magnesium and calcium are antagonistic in absorption, a high calcium content in the feed increases the need for magnesium and vice versa. Animals with a hollow stomach (e.g. pigs, poultry) generally receive a magnesium supply that meets their needs from the plant components used in a complete feed ration. However, if in extreme situations there is a magnesium deficiency, restlessness, stress symptoms, loss of appetite or muscle cramps can be the result. In ruminants, very poor utilisation of the feed magnesium from pasture grass can lead to so-called "pasture or grass tetany". This disease can lead to the death of the animal if an injection or infusion of magnesium is not given immediately. To prevent this, supplementary feeds for dairy cows are therefore equipped with a higher magnesium content, especially during the grazing season in spring. Meadow and pasture grass as well as maize silage contain low and poorly available amounts of magnesium. The other plant feeds, especially the by-products of grain processing for human consumption (e.g. wheat bran, wheat gluten feed) are rich in magnesium. Mineral supplementation of feed is carried out via magnesium compound in the form of oxide, sulphate, lactate, phosphate or also fumarate if the animal's requirements are appropriate.