How to Feed Kelp Meal to Livestock

Modern farming methods have depleted the soil of many minerals and trace elements, leaving livestock feed grown in the soil deficient. Many of these necessary minerals are found in seaweed, the main ingredient in kelp meal. Kelp meal contains valuable vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, and alginates and when used as a supplement to regular livestock feed promotes better health, prevents disease and increases performance of farm animals. The health benefits are passed on to consumers. Seaweed fed to cattle has been found to reduce the deadly E-coli bacteria in beef by 300 percent. (Ref. 2)

Things You'll Need

  • Kelp meal
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Instructions

    • 1

      Add kelp meal at a rate of 1 percent to 2 percent of the feed ration for dairy and beef cattle. This is two to four ounces of kelp meal a day per cow. Dairy cows fed kelp meal have increased milk production and butterfat content, longer lactation periods and improved levels of iodine and vitamin A in their milk. All cattle will benefit from reductions in pink eye and improved hemoglobin levels in blood. Breeding cows will have less instances of infertility, mastitis, retained placenta, milk fever and abortion.

    • 2

      Feed poultry the supplement at a rate of 1 percent of feed. When kelp meal is fed to chickens it increases egg production and strengths shells and iodine content in eggs. Turkeys should get kelp meal as 2 percent of their feed.

    • 3

      Offer pigs the kelp meal free choice, or at a ratio of 50 pounds of kelp meal to 2,000 pounds of complete food ration. The supplement reduces internal parasites in pigs.

    • 4

      Feed horses one-half ounce of kelp meal a day. The supplement enhances the flexibility and sheen of the skin and coat in horses. It minimizes stable vices and strengthens hooves.

    • 5

      Use kelp meal to improve the wool quality and prevent shedding in sheep. Sheep should get the supplement as 2 percent of their feed ration.

    • 6

      Allow any livestock to free-feed on kelp meal. There is no fear of overfeeding kelp meal. Animals will only eat it when their bodies are depleted of minerals and nutrients contained the kelp meal. They will leave it alone when they don't need it.