What is Diatomaceous Earth?

 I've received this article on one of the mailing list and became interested with it as another supplement for backyard cattle raising.

According to Wikipedia - Diatomaceous Earth (pronounced /ˌdaɪ.ətəˌmeɪʃəs ˈɜrθ/) also known as diatomite orkieselgur, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micron to more than 1 millimeter, but typically 10 to 200 microns.^[1] This powder has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and is very light, due to its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of oven dried diatomaceous earth is 80 to 90% silica, with 2 to 4% alumina(attributed mostly to clay minerals) and 0.5 to 2% iron oxide.^[1]

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, as a mild abrasive, as a mechanical insecticide, as an absorbentfor liquids, as cat litter, as an activator in blood clotting studies, and as a component ofdynamite. As it is also heat-resistant, it can be used as a thermal insulator. Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Farmers hang burlap bags full of diatomic earth for the cattle to rub against and keep themselves dusted, which eliminates flies and other pests that land on them.

Food grade diatomic earth is a healthy non-toxic alternative to chemical contamination of stored grain. When the grain is to be used, food grade diatomic earth can be easily removed, but need not be. Since it is food grade, makes no difference in taste or cooking quality, and adds 15 trace minerals. Suggested grain storage use: 1 cup of DE will protect 50 lbs. of grain -- 5 cups of food grade diatomic earth will protect 300 lbs. of grain -- 7 lbs. of DE will protect 1500 lbs. of grain or seeds. One source advises only 1 to 2 lbs. of DE per ton of grain. 
Dust barns, coops, after mucking and throw on top of manure/compost piles.

Feed it daily to all dogs, cats, fowl, and livestock, so it comes out in the manure of each animal as well and prevents flies from growing in the manures.

Natural food grade diatomaceous earth contains 15 trace minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc iron, phosphorous, selenium, etc. People note shinier coats, better overall health, better production, etc. in their animals who are fed food grade diatomaceous earth regularly.
A small amount of food grade DE applied to livestock waterers keeps algae from growing on hot summer days.
Daily recommended food grade diatomaceous earth feeding rates:

Dosage for Animals:

Kittens - 1/2 teaspoon
Cats - 1 teaspoon
Puppies - 1/2 to 1 tsp.
Dogs under 35 lbs. - 1 teaspoon
Dogs over 35 lbs. - 1 tablespoon
Dogs over 100 lbs. - 2 tablespoons
Cattle, Dairy Cows, & Hogs - 2% of dry feed ration
Chickens - 5% in feed
Goats & Sheep - 2% in grain
Horses - 1/2 to 1 cup in daily ration

This is also applicable for Humans at 1 heaping tablespoon daily

Right now it's available in Davao City - Scotts Enterprises. 

I am interested in trying this out and looking for a supplier in Luzon Area.

Korea Grants DA $3-M Livestock Project

The Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will provide a $3-million grant to the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) to implement a three-year project aimed at further increasing the production and propagation of upgraded carabaos.


In a report to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, PCC director Libertado Cruz said the project — called “Enhancing livestock sector performance in the Philippines” — aims to establish an institutionalized electronic data capture system that will hasten genetic data evaluation and analysis, and create a unified web-based genetic information system. More . . .

Cattle Naming Convention

Ever since we started investing into backyard cattle raising we're into Paalaga or Paiwi system in which it allows us to help small time farmers to have the opportunity to own a cow by taking care of other people's cow.
As we all know Paalaga or Paiwi system is all about sharing the siblings. Say if a farmer takes care of your cow the first sibling would be the farmer's share then the next one will be the owner's and so on and so forth.
Now the issue that I encountered lately as a cow owner is that I lose track of whose share would it be and the naming convention of the cow on whose taking care of it. So what I did is create a spreadsheet naming the cow to the farmer or previous owner. Say for example the name of the care taker is Manuel Sales. So the name of the cow will be Manuela and the siblings of Manuela will be named as Manuela 1, Manuela 2 etc. As of now this method seems working and it's easier to track the cattle.