FOSSIL SHELL FLOUR
[Pure Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth]

Why the name Fossil Shell Flour? It was important to differentiate our product from all other diatomaceous earth products in the marketplace. Our DE is milled at a consistency much like flour and is a fossilized shell (diatom) hence the name Fossil Shell Flour.

All diatomaceous earth is not the same. Diatomaceous earth packaged under our Fossil Shell Flour label comes from an extremely pure water deposit of the diatom Melosira Preicelanica. Why is this diatom so special? It's shell is made of amorphous silica. It's shape and hardness are important to how it works. It's hardness keeps it from dissolving in liquid. The holes along the diatom's wall allow it to absorb moisture, hence it's use as an anti-caking agent. It's shape is key to it's action in our insecticide products, discussed on those product pages.

Why fresh water vs. salt water DE? Fresh water deposits like ours have a consistent diatom presence. Their fossilized shells have maintained their tubular shape. This shape and strength of the fossil shell is critical to it's effectiveness. Our deposit has 89 - 95 percent amorphous silica content. This deposit is also more consistent in it's purity of other elements that have settled in it. A fresh water deposit is confined to the run off water of it's surrounding environment. A fresh water deposit in the mountains, such as ours, formed when snow was pure and it's run off provided the water source these diatoms lived in. Salt water deposits contain a mix of types of diatoms of different shapes. Their fossilized shells are fragile and break easily. This renders them ineffective for our purposes. The salt water deposits are less predictable in their sediments.

What's the difference between amorphous and crystalline silica? Amorphous silica is silica in it's natural occurring state. It is a trace mineral every mammal on the planet needs to live. It becomes crystalline when it is exposed to extreme heat through volcanic activity or commercial manufacturing means. The type of diatomaceous earth used in swimming pool, and other, filtration systems is crystalline silica. Crystalline silica is extremely dangerous when inhaled or ingested. It is not biodegradable.

Perma-Guard Fossil Shell Flour [Pure Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth] has been reviewed and is now listed with the Organic Materials Review Institute.

In the course of marketing our Fossil Shell Flour as an anti-caking agent, we have been astonished by the benefits claimed by long-term users. They are as follows:

• Completely safe and nontoxic
• Stimulates basic metabolism
• Converts feed better
• Reduces odor and moisture in barns and stalls
• Results in better coat and/or hoof condition
• Cost effective
• Reduces annual vet bills
• Reduces overall animal stress

Suggested feeding instructions:

Add 2% of the weight of the feed rations. It doesn't have to be exact. University tests have shown that more will not be harmful, but less may not give you the results expected.

Our customers have built our business by recommending our products to their friends. A customer who has used the product for years is Frank Zimmerman of Tucson, Arizona - there is no way of guessing how many people use Fossil Shell Flour because he recommended it to them. Over 35 years ago, in Kansas, he fed it to his dairy cows and all other animals one would find around a farm. After selling out and moving to Arizona, he fed it to the Quarter horses he raised on his A to Z Farm. Frank freely recommends Perma-Guard Fossil Shell Flour to all his contacts. Anyone wishing to talk to Frank is free to call.

The next longest use we know of is James Hussey (deceased). Mr. Hussey used the Fossil Shell Flour over 28 years on his dairy herd. He wrote us two testimonial letters 25 years apart, detailing the benefits from adding Fossil Shell Flour to his rations. Mr. Hussey was President of the Arizona Dairyman's Association for many years and exhibited his stock at the Arizona State Fair for 70 years. The City of Phoenix grew up around his dairy, but he had no fly or odor problems and the benefits to his animals and his business was very positive. Anyone wanting copies of his letters is welcome to request them from us.

Dr. Phillip Schaible, while heading the Department of Poultry Sciences at Michigan State University, made a study of European literature regarding adding Diatomaceous Earth to dairy cows' feed. [Please contact us for a copy of the report]

Dr. C.S. Hansen, D.V.M., with some 8,000 chickens, kept half on regular diet, added Fossil Shell Flour to the other group. The Fossil Shell Flour group immediately had a lower death rate, egg production went up, and egg breakage went way down. His profitability went way up.

Dr. H.D. Johnson, D.V.M., Saskatchewan Vet Clinic, Canada, worked with 2,000 calves for two years without a single case of scours, using Fossil Shell Flour. He says, "using Fossil Shell Flour, we have been able to eliminate vaccines and antibiotics."

Dr. M.F. Petty, D.V.M.: "The use of Fossil Shell Flour stopped pigs from rooting and chewing feeder boxes, reduced manure odor and increased feed efficiency. Really improved profitability."

Capitol South Syndicate by Dan Miller, manager: "Feeding Fossil Shell Flour to my show and race horses, stallions, mares, foals and horses in training, we have seen improvements in their hair coat and their attitude. Flies and parasites are less of a problem."

Leslie "Shorty" Thomas, Trainer, L Frank Roper Stables, Winter Garden, Florida: "I have been actively engaged in training some of the finest walking horses in the country for the past 15 years. I take pride in the appearance and health of the horses under my care, which have won many national awards against stiff competition. I am constantly on the alert for products I feel can improve their health and condition. I am grateful to have found Fossil Shell Flour and here is why: It increased appetites, better feed conversion, and created a healthier appearance. I would definitely recommend this product to other horsemen."

Johnnie Firestone on sheep: "We were losing one sheep every three days. We started feeding the animals Fossil Shell Flour, mixed with salt and cotton seed meal. Within two weeks the dying stopped. Since that time we have lost two sheep. To say that I am sold on Fossil Shell Flour is a rank understatement. I suggest to anyone, 'just try it. It does not cost much!'"

Michigan Department of Agriculture made a laboratory study of internal organs from a cow using Fossil Shell Flour five years and found no visible evidence of abnormalities.

University of Illinois, referring to tests run on dairy cattle fed 2% of Fossil Shell Flour in their rations, stated there was no apparent harmful effect and that there was no evidence of the DE in the milk.

Frank Mead of Nevada, using Fossil Shell Flour on a variety of animals has done some tests, keeping excellent records and with detailed pictures that show the benefits that can be expected from the use of the products. Frank welcomes inquiries. Please call us to obtain contact information.