DE Direct
Jun 28, 20205 min
Updated: Mar 26, 2021
Mixing Fine Diatomaceous Earth into your cattle’s feed is a natural way to help prevent fleas and flies from making themselves at home in your cattle’s coat. DE promotes weight gain, helps support their immune and digestion systems and because Diatomaceous Earth is a form of silica it is known to give cattle strong hoofs, healthier and shinier coats. The best results are when the cattle are consistently eating the DE feed mixture.
Diatomaceous Earth is also globally known to reduce internal and external worms and parasites restoring health back to the digestive system all while binding toxins and heavy metals boosting overall health and performance of the cattle. As DE is highly absorbent, if taken internally will reduce the odour of the manure while adding nutrients back into the pastures, boosting water retention and improving feed conversion and pasture quality.
The recommended ratio for mixing Fine Diatomaceous Earth into your cattle’s feed:
We recommend adding 2% of the weight of your cow's feed that they receive either in addition to or instead of grazing. For example, each cow might eat 100 grams dry pellets and 50 grams hay, the DE to be added would be 2% of 150 grams which is 3 grams per portion. We recommend only feed Diatomaceous Earth to calves that are eating solid feeds. Please be careful not to breath in the DE as like most minerals they can be potentially harmful once inhaled.
Mixing Fine Diatomaceous Earth into dry feed or bushel of feed:
Either in a dish, simply mix the measured amount of DE into the portion of dry feed or alternatively you can when you buy a new bag of dry feed calculate 2% of the bags weight and add the correct amount of Diatomaceous Earth to the entire bag. Be sure to shake the bag well to ensure the DE is evenly spread. Repeat this with every new feed bag. By adding Diatomaceous Earth to the bag, you get the added bonus that insects like ants and weevils that can get into the feed are deterred as it is like a natural preservative, which thanks to its amazing moisture absorbing power keeps feed fresher for longer.
Every time you go to feed your cattle be sure to shake the bag as the DE will settle at the bottom of the bag with time. Please be careful not to inhale the Diatomaceous Earth as like most minerals they can be potentially harmful once inhaled. As DE is absorbent it is important that your cattle have access to plenty of water to ensure moisture in the digestive system isn’t affected.
We all know some cows can be quite picky and sceptical about the fine white power that has suddenly appeared in their feed. Don’t fear. Put the portion of feed in a bucket, either add the Diatomaceous Earth according to that potions weight or if you add it into the entire feed bag do not add more DE. Add a little water or molasses to the bucket and stir thoroughly.
Diatomaceous Earth can also be used externally as a drench against the Buffalo Fly. Try using 1 part Fine Grade DE to 1 Part salt. This mixture can also be added to the rubbing roll mixed with oil. Being highly absorbent Diatomaceous Earth sucks up moisture and oil on cattle's coat which will help to deter flies naturally.
High Performance Diatomaceous Earth Backrub for Fly Control
Heavy-Duty | High Performance | Top Quality | Australian Made
1.6m in length
Biting insects like buffalo flies, mosquitoes and midges can cause discomfort for cattle and can even lead to three-day sickness or Bovine Ephemeral Fever. Our specifically designed DE backrub is the first defence against any of these critters.
This heavy-duty backrub filled with our specifically milled fine grade
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) dusts cattle head to tail when they rub against,
play with or walk under the backrub hung in a paddock, yard, pen or between two gate posts.
The DE Backrub holds up to 20kg of our fine grade DE and can be refilled without having to move the bag from its hanging position. Simply open the heavy-duty zipper and refill the DE. No unhooking necessary, making it a convenient and no fuss solution.
Engineered, tested, and manufactured right here in Australia, the DE
Backrub is designed specifically to withstand our harsh and diverse Australian conditions.
Unlike chemical fly control, there is no withholding period when using DE.
When flies and insects come in contact with the fine DE micro shards they are cut and the DE, being super porous, deters and dehydrates them.
Our natural Australian mined Diatomaceous Earth Fine Grade is specifically milled and graded to achieve the optimum dusting result.
Dusting sulphur can also be applied using the DE Backrub, simply fill with
sulphur or mix it with DE for an easy one application solution.
DE for Livestock
Diatomaceous Earth is a totally natural and organic product which is suitable
for use on certified organic enterprises. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is used for
and offers a multitude of benefits to cattle including, internal / external
parasite and fly control, increased weight gain, greater resistance to diseases and overall healthier beasts.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) or Amorphous Silica is the fossilized remains of
Diatoms (a prehistoric phytoplankton). Diatoms extract silica from the water
to survive and when they die, they sink to the bottom of water ways leaving behind their silica rich skeletons.
Our DE isn’t commercially heat treated rather naturally dried to keep full integrity of the diatoms.
How DE works for Livestock
It is thought that DE works in ways similar to holistic medicine, benefiting the
entire animal. It is believed that the structure of the DE stimulates the digestion and aids in improving feed conversion and absorption of nutrients, essential elements and trace elements. In short, the animal can gain more of the available nutrients from the feed you are feeding them, therefore, it makes economic sense to use DE as a regular addition to your feeding routine.
Studies show a general to significant improvement in the following areas:
• Optimizes animal health
• Control of internal parasites (will not control heart or lung worm) and external parasites
• Reduced odours – particularly noticeable where intensive farming practices are in use
• Controls flies, ticks, fleas, buffalo fly on the animal, in pasture and around pens
• Reduces infant mortality
• General improvement in wellbeing
• Greater resistance to disease and parasites
• Improved appetites in picky eaters
• Healthier appearance / Improves growth and development
• DE will also provide the animal with calcium, magnesium, potassium,
phosphorus, zinc, and sulphur
Browse and buy Diatomaceous Earth from our online shop now!
Wanting to add DE to other animal's feed? Find out how here!
When using DE we recommend wearing a protective mask for your own safety and well being.