FARM Talk

FARMtalk: Have you got your mineral licks out?

By FARMtalk

Aug 7, 2026

Sheep licking a pink mineral salt block from a feeder on the farm, seeking nutrients. Photo by Studia72

Have you ever noticed sheep at the end of the mob that keep sitting down while you are mustering? Only taking a few steps at a time, getting down and can’t get up or sheep that are shaking/fitting and dying? Well, these signs can suggest low blood calcium (hypocal/milk fever) and/or low blood magnesium (hypomag/grass tetany).

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The risk of these metabolic diseases is often linked to diet. Cereal crops are naturally low in dietary calcium and magnesium. They can also have high levels of potassium which further decrease the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Extended time off feed and stress are also factors that can contribute to hypocal and/or hypomag, especially when yarding lambs. Other potential factors which can affect calcium levels include worm burden, oxalate containing feeds (such as soursob) and cold weather.

Heavily pregnant, lactating, and growing stock such as your weaner lambs all have higher requirements for calcium and magnesium. Making it important to keep a close watch on these at-risk groups for signs of hypocal and/or hypomag, especially if you are running your stock on cereal crops. Signs of low calcium or magnesium in stock can include recumbency (downer animals), muscle tremors, nervous signs, and death.

Replacing these minerals can be lifesaving. In sheep showing signs of hypocal and/or hypomag you can do this using an injectable solution that contains calcium, magnesium, glucose and phosphorus (such as a Flopak plus 4 in 1). So, having a few bags of 4 in 1 with you in the glove box of your ute or side-by side, so you are ready to treat any down sheep, is always a handy tool.

However, prevention is always better than a cure. Providing mineral licks to stock is an easy, effective and affordable way of preventing hypocalcaemia and/or hypomagnesemia in your livestock. You can make a home-made loose lick by mixing coarse salt, agricultural lime and causmag at a 2:2:1 ratio and provide in the paddock ad-lib. Causmag can have a bitter taste, so it can help to slowly introduce it to the mix to allow stock to get accustomed to it. Commercial mineral licks or blocks are also available, if you prefer a ready-made product.

For more information regarding minerals requirements in sheep, you can contact your District Vet by calling 1300 795 299 or drop into a nearby Local Land Services office.