Years of research have proven that silica is crucial for efficient and effective dairy farming. Silica deficiency results in five negative outcomes:

1. Lower-than-optimal milk and butterfat production
2. Higher-than-necessary expenses
3. Suboptimal animal health
4. Lower-quality pasture
5. Overuse of chemical inputs on both cows and pasture

Diatomaceous Earth has four dairy farming applications that directly impact these deficiencies:

1. Feed supplement
2. Internal parasite/worm control
3. External insect and pest control
4. On-pasture use for soil fertility and plant nutrition

Production

Research conducted by various independent organizations shows that using diatomaceous earth as a feed supplement for dairy cows can increase milk production by 20% to 33%. Moreover, butterfat content increases by up to 66% when using optimal levels of silica.

Expenditure

In addition to increased milk production, dairy farmers can experience further profit growth through reduced expenses. Silica can significantly impact farming expenditure by decreasing the required application of chemical inputs, feed requirements, and veterinary bills.

Diatomaceous earth has excellent nutritional properties and effectively controls internal parasites when used in a regular feeding routine. Applying it externally on animals and around sheds, pens, and pastures controls pests and insects.

Natural silica contains organic trace elements, reducing the need for farmers to provide these essential nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, sodium, zinc, molybdenum, sulfur, and cobalt. Research suggests that cows with optimal silica nutrition require 25% less feed without adverse effects.

Dairy Pasture

Diatomaceous earth enhances chemical fertilizer efficiency in dairy pastures by converting unavailable nutrients into available forms, retaining plant-available nutrients, and preventing soil nutrient lock-up. 

It also prevents the leaching of phosphates (30% to 90%), potassium (20% to 80%), and nitrogen (20% to 90%).

Examples of diatomaceous earth’s ability to enhance and improve chemical input efficiency include:

1. Potassium by up to 31%
2. NPK by 47% to 80%
3. Phosphate by 29% to 40%
4. Phosphate Rock by up to 100%
5. NPK+Mg by 30% to 80%
6. Lime by up to 58%

In conclusion, incorporating diatomaceous earth into dairy farming practices offers substantial benefits in terms of animal health, milk production, and cost-effectiveness. Its positive effects on soil health and fertility further contribute to long-term farming sustainability.

Soil pH Control

Diatomaceous earth offers numerous benefits for dairy farming. Besides increasing chemical fertilizer efficiency, it effectively controls soil pH levels. 

Research indicates that silica has five mechanisms for controlling pH, making it more effective than lime. However, lime and dolomite can render phosphates unavailable to plants, creating a new problem.

Silica’s ability to combat soil and plant diseases, fungal infections, and pest attacks reduces the need for insecticides, pesticides, and fungicides, further decreasing expenses. Moreover, its water retention properties can reduce pasture irrigation rates by up to 30%. 

High-quality diatomaceous earth has a residual effect in the soil and may not require reapplication for 1 to 3 years.

Consulting a qualified agronomist for a comprehensive soil and leaf analysis is recommended before reducing input applications.

Animal Health

Silica deficiency in animals has been linked to various health problems. Supplementing animal feed with optimal silica amounts can significantly improve animal health. 

Research and field trials show that even unresponsive health issues can be controlled with silica use. 

For dairy farmers, mastitis, scours, tumors, and cysts can be addressed.

Silica plays a crucial role in bone, cartilage, and collagen formation, potentially increasing collagen in growing bones by up to 100%. It also accelerates calf growth and contributes to weight gain in cows. 

Tests comparing weight gain in animals using silica in their feed generally follow two patterns:

1. Animals fed with silica and a 10% to 25% reduced feed ration experience similar weight gain to the control group.
2. Animals fed with silica and the same feed amount as the control group show superior weight gain.

DE can stimulate metabolism, improve protein digestion, and increase feed exposure to digestive processes, ultimately enhancing feed utilization by the animal.

Pest and Insect Control

Diatomaceous earth is an effective non-chemical method to control internal parasites when used regularly in animal feeding programs. 

Applying it externally on animals and around sheds, pens, and pastures controls pests and insects. Its sharp microscopic edges cut parasites in the digestive tract, causing them to die and pass harmlessly through the system. 

Since control is mechanical, parasites cannot develop resistance or immunity (excluding heartworm and lungworm).

DE controls flies, buffalo flies, ticks, cutworms, and armyworms on pastures without contributing to milk residue or requiring withholding periods.

Documented Benefits

Specific benefits documented in dairy farming include:

After feeding 100 dairy cows with silica for one year:+ Butterfat content increased from 503 lbs [228 kg] to 513 lbs [232 kg] per cow+ Warbles became nonexistent

• • Fly nuisance almost completely disappeared
  • Odors were almost completely eliminated+ Cows exhibited better hair and coat conditions
  • No desire to lick soil was observed
  • Veterinary bills were significantly reduced (J. S. Bunker, Bunker Farms, Mesa, Arizona)
  • Feeding 5 to 6 ounces [142 to 170 grams] of food-grade silica to a dairy herd for five weeks resulted in:
  • Increased butterfat content from 3.7 to 3.9+ No new mastitis cases (previously a severe problem)
  • Brighter and healthier cow appearances+ Increased milk production without appreciable increase in feed (Daniel M. Brandt, McFarland, Wisconsin)
  • A 2% silica ration for dairy cattle showed no residue in milk (University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine)

Overall, these documented cases demonstrate the numerous benefits of using diatomaceous earth in dairy farming, including improved animal health, increased milk production, and reduced expenses.

Additional research highlights the benefits of using diatomaceous earth in dairy farming:

• • Jersey Dairy Cows:  Silica was provided to purebred Jersey dairy cows with an average intake of three ounces [85 grams] per cow per day. After six months, the following results were observed:+ Milk production increased by over 20%, with butterfat content remaining unchanged+ Warbles problems were eliminated
  • Improved feed assimilation
  • Fly problems were controlled (Dairy Herd Association Improvement Program, Hussey Farms, Litchfield Park, Arizona)
  • Hereford/Angus Crosses and Other Breeds: Four cattle groups (over 300 animals each) comprised of Hereford/Angus crosses, Hereford, Angus, and exotic breeds were studied. Test groups received a silica feed supplement at 3% of their daily ration. Midway through the study, the heifer ration was adjusted to 1.5% due to reduced feed consumption. Key findings include:+ Lower mortality rates: Silica-fed calves had lower pen mortalities, with no deaths attributed to lactic acidosis, a common issue when switching from pasture to feedlot
  • Reduced feed cost: Test animals showed similar daily weight gain as control animals while consuming less feed
  • Increased profit: Silica-fed steers generated $9.10 more profit per head, and heifers produced $8.30 more per head (Dr. Jack Martin, Sterling Nutritional Services)

These findings further emphasize the positive impact of diatomaceous earth on dairy farming, including improved animal health, milk production, and profit margins.