Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Evaluation of diatomaceous earth as an adjunct to sheep parasite control in organic farming

Project ID: 1995-34

Abstract

Diatomaceous earth (DE) has been touted as a natural and effective way to control gastrointestinal (Gl) parasites in sheep. In this study, grazing lambs were fed DE at 5 and 10 percent of a supplemental ration for periods from 66 to 117 days. Weight gains, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, fecal egg/gram counts, and abomasal Gl larval counts were not different in controls vs. DE-fed lambs, although there was a trend toward lower fecal egg/gram counts in DE-treated lambs. DE by itself was not shown to be an effective parasite control agent, but could be used as part of a parasite control program.

Lead investigator: Gary D. Osweiler, ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, et al

Year of grant completion: 1997

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Initiative.

Topics: Organic production practices and comparisons