WHY DO MY COWS EAT DIRT?
Well, that’s a good question! And it’s one that we hear by times from astute dairy managers as they observe the daily, changing behavior of their herd.
Why do they chew on lumber in the barn till the 6x6 post has only half its ‘muscle’ left? Why do they lick the cement from between the pebbles in the concrete floor or curb till they look and feel like a cobblestone street? Or why do they lick and chew the pipe gates till they shine? Why do they drink urine from other cows, or from barnyard puddles? These ‘bizarre’ antics and others crop up by times in many herds, and it’s best if we take notice and try to ‘get a taste’ of what they’re craving.
First, I’ll suggest that neither science, nor gritty, hands-on experience will be able to produce solid answers to these questions in all situations. There are far too many unmeasured dietary and environmental factors affecting our cows, along with the symbiotic relationships of soil and forage microelements interacting with the microorganisms within a cow’s biological system that we simply don’t understand. I believe we’ve only observed the ‘tip of the iceberg’ relating to these marvelous systems.
However, this does not give us the license to prop up our feet and ignore the obvious needs within our herds. The caring animal husbandman will do his utmost to read the subtle, or maybe not so subtle, signals that his animals are sending him, asking for his help.
So, are the cows simply inquisitive and exploring their surroundings? Have they fallen into a groove of ‘bad habits’? Perhaps they’re just plain bored… Well, you’ll hardly settle for these suggestions if you take note to the intensity that drives them, and the seeming discomfort to a sensitive mouth, that must accompany some of this behavior.
Following are some observations that we’ve gathered over the years.
Mineral deficiencies in the body on a cellular level can be caused by improperly balanced rations, poorly mineralized feedstuffs, hard or high nitrate water, stray current stress, and more. The cow’s biological system has an amazing ability to bring balance to her body, or ‘die trying’, as they say.
Acidosis, (low rumen PH), or other maladies of the GI tract may cause a cow to crave buffering material to remedy the burning discomfort of acid-stomach. Many of these ‘gut-aches’ result from improperly balanced rations…think effective fiber, for example. It may be a too-finely chopped, or very wet, (high moisture) ration not allowing for the proper function of a fibrous mat within the rumen. This can be especially critical for herds that are grazing very lush, (washy), spring and fall pastures. It can also happen in the mid-summer months when the grasses become lignified and the cows only nip the tips/tops of the plants.
Yeasts and pathogenic toxins, caused by poorly cured, fermented, or stored forages can also be the sinister culprit of many a stomach upset, causing a cow to seek buffering/binding material.
So, what to do?
First, look for the underlying causes, or seek the help of qualified nutrition or veterinary personnel to look at the ration feedstuffs, to ascertain that they are ‘sound’. Check the drinking water supply for key elements like bacteria, nitrates, and excessive hardness. Quoting the late Dr. Paul Detloff, water hardness in excess of 17 grains will reduce mineral absorption into the cells of the cow’s body by 50%. This can create strong cravings for the cow. And when the feed, water, and other environmental bases are covered, and problems still persist, consider the stray current question.
In the meantime, while you check off the above lists…give the cows some ‘instant’ relief by offering some ‘quality’ free-choice products to satisfy their cravings:
Redmond Salt will address the osmotic needs of the animal on a cellular level while providing immune-building trace minerals in the process. It is superior to white salt in this regard.
Redmond Conditioner serves effectively as both a buffer and a toxin binder, also providing a vast array of trace minerals. Again, superior to refined sodium bicarb or sodium bentonite in trace mineral content.
Thorvin Kelp, (dried seaweed), contains more than sixty plant-based vitamins and trace minerals to satisfy cravings stemming from nutrient imbalances within the cow on a cellular level.
Humates will also serve as another toxin binder source when needed in addition to the Redmond Conditioner. It does not have the strong micronutrient profile of the Conditioner, but offers another binding mode of action with its charcoal-like qualities. Both Humates and Conditioner also feed the good microbes in the GI tract.
Fertrell can provide these items to you, and offering them individually on a full-time, free-choice basis is a great way to reduce some of the strange behaviors discussed earlier. We also carry some blends of these products if more simplicity is needed:
Redmond’s SR-50 is a blend of Salt and Conditioner and is available in 1-ton totes only.
Fertrell’s Grazier’s Choice mineral blend combines high inclusion rates of Redmond Salt and Thorvin Kelp with a few lesser ingredients to produce a nicely rounded free-choice mineral pack.
So back to our question, why do my cows eat dirt? We do well to be observant and seek to remedy the problem. Because, quoting one prominent grass farmer… “FOLKS, THIS AIN’T NORMAL!”