Zeolite Farming Minerals

Zeolite Farming Minerals is a clinoptilolite zeolite of volcanic origin. It can be used as bedding and as a high-quality feed additive (binder), and it has a positive effect on the barn climate and the environment.

Key facts

Use: Feed additive and bedding
Approval: Clinoptilolite of volcanic origin, Reg. (EU) No 651/2013, identification no. 1g568 – approved for all animal species in the EU
Organic farming: Listed in the FiBL list of inputs
Packaging: 1,000 kg, in 25 kg bags or in one 1,000 kg big bag
Delivery: By freight forwarder, usually within about one week

Use as a feed additive

Stabilises pH
Binding capacity, for example for ammonia
Supports the uptake of nutrients (vitamins, trace elements, minerals, fats and amino acids)
Better feed conversion
Provides natural minerals such as calcium and magnesium
Helps limit mould and secondary heating of feed

Positive effect on the environment

Less ammonia in slurry and barns
Drier slurry and drier manure
Reduced phosphate and nitrogen excretion
Much less nitrate leaching in the soil: more nutrients stay available to plants in spring, and less nitrate ends up in the water

Dosage recommendation

Animal	Dosage
Cows	100 g/day
Young cattle	50–100 g/day
Sheep and goats	20 g/day
Pigs	6–10 g/kg feed
Poultry	7 g/kg feed
Lambs	10 g/day

Technical data: composition, trace elements and ion exchange

Chemical composition

Component	Share
SiO₂	68–72 %
Al₂O₃	10–13 %
TiO₂	0.1–0.4 %
Fe₂O₃	1–2.5 %
FeO	0.05–0.1 %
MgO	0.3–0.8 %
CaO	1.1–2.4 %
Na₂O	0.5–2.0 %
K₂O	2.7–4.3 %

Mineralogical composition

Component	Share
Clinoptilolite (EU no. 1g598)	84 %
Mordenite	3–10 %
Quartz	10–15 %
Amorphous silica	4–5 %
Volcanic glass	8–10 %
Montmorillonite	6–8 %
Illite	4–7 %
Feldspar	3–5 %
Loss on ignition	7–8 %

The proportion of minerals in the rock varies with the distance from the centre of the eruption, its intensity and the degree of dissolution. Clinoptilolite and mordenite play a special role; of the accompanying minerals, volcanic glass in particular enhances their properties, as do montmorillonite and illite. Quartz, amorphous silica and feldspar behave neutrally.

Average content of trace elements

Symbol	Element	Content (mg/kg)
Ni	Nickel	8–10
Co	Cobalt	0.5–1.0
Pb	Lead	12–17
Cu	Copper	2.5–4.0
Sb	Antimony	55–60
Te	Tellurium	80–110
Ga	Gallium	14–18
Sc	Scandium	8–12
Ti	Titanium	7000–9000
V	Vanadium	25–35
Cr	Chromium	8–10
Mn	Manganese	90–110
Li	Lithium	55–65
Cs	Caesium	8–12
Ba	Barium	700–900
Rb	Rubidium	70–90
Y	Yttrium	20–30
Yb	Ytterbium	20–30
Nb	Niobium	14–18
In	Indium	0.5–1.5
Sn	Tin	3–5
Zn	Zinc	8–11
B	Boron	3–4
Hg	Mercury	0.02–0.03
As	Arsenic	1.2–2.3
Be	Beryllium	3.5–4.5

The special properties of aluminium allow trace elements to be released to plant and animal organisms (also in the soil); they act as catalysts for the exchange of trace elements.

Average ion exchange and adsorption capacity

		Value
NH₄⁺	Ion exchange capacity	1.2–1.5 meq/g
Ag⁺	Ion exchange capacity	1.7–1.8 meq/g
NH₃	Absorption	90–95 ml/g
CO₂	Absorption	58–60 ml/g
H₂O	Dynamic water adsorption	26–30 mg/g

Average content of toxic metals

Element	Limit (mg/kg)	Measured (mg/kg)
Pb – Lead	max. 30	12–17
Hg – Mercury	max. 0.05	0.02–0.03
As – Arsenic	max. 10	1.2–2.3
Cu – Copper	max. 6	2.5–4.0
F – Fluorine	max. 50	30–35
Cd – Cadmium	max. 0.075	0.02–0.05

The experiences above come from dairy farmers in practice. They are general information and cannot replace an individual diagnosis or the advice of a vet.