Chia Seed & Cattle Feed

Chia seed is a member of the mint family and its genus name is Salvia Hispanica. It comes from a desert plant native to the southwest US, Central and South America. It was a staple for the Aztecs and the Mayans in those regions. Chia seed has been used for over 3000 years as a super food.

Then ancient Aztecs and Mayans knew the power of this nutrient-packed seed. They would bake it in bread and eat it before battles. It is called a runner's food because they would put it in their water and drink it on a long day's journey.

Aztecs used it to treat skin sores and to encourage saliva production. It was also used as a famine food as it curbed hunger for an entire day. It was used as a poultice to treat wound infections by Native Americans.

The ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations would also feed Chia seed to their cattle, poultry and other livestock. They knew that feeding them Chia seed kept their animals healthy, strong and thriving. By keeping their livestock healthy, they kept themselves healthy, should they need to consume the livestock for survival.

It is rich in fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 and omega-6 oils. Chia seed is rich in B-vitamins, zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, iron and niacin. It has a binding ability that makes it a good substitute for eggs when baking. When submersed in water, it binds with water to create a gelatin and when in the stomach, separates carbohydrates from digestive enzymes, slowing sugar absorption and aiding human dieters and diabetics.

Too many reports of cow's milk tainted with hormones flood the hot presses of newspapers and the desks of television anchors. Abnormal amounts of hormones and abnormal chemical ingredients of hormones do damage to the animals and inhibit normal and healthy growth. The solution to this problem is to find a healthy alternative to feed the animal so it can remain healthy and in turn its by-products can be nutritious to people.

Today the concept of feeding cattle Chia seed is only minimally gaining acceptance as sound doctrine. Most cattle are injected with harmful hormones, so that they can grow big enough to slaughter and market to the masses, and in turn, make the farmers and ranchers more money. This practice is motivated by greed and not by the concern for the health of the animals nor the consumers.

Chia is similar to flax seed, being small and packed with similar nutritional value. Flax seed is used to feed cattle. Chia is also a natural feed for cattle. It is fed to poultry as well when mixed with other seed. It is good for the animal because it helps the animal grow strong. It can be grown alongside regular grass so that cattle can consume it. The Chia seed can also be placed in fodder for cattle. They can eat the seed among other seeds, like flax seeds. Organic farmers regularly feed their cattle flax seed. Adding Chia seed will only fortify the meal that they give the livestock.

Chia seed can also be placed in their water troughs. The water mixes with the Chia seed to create a well-hydrating and nutritious drink for the cattle.It can also be added to their daily water consumption. This will keep cattle hydrated for long periods of time.

A benefit of Chia seed is that it doesn't go rancid quickly. Chia seed has a shelf life of several years. This means that it is cost effective. It pays for itself. Also, the plant does not require the use of pesticides to promote growth. The oils that it produces is a natural repellent to insects. No insecticides for it mean no insecticides for cattle, which, in turn, means no insecticides for humans.