Magnetic Water Treatment & Animals

In-Vivo Bioeffects Of Magnetically Treated Water — Lin

I.J. Lin, J. Yotvat, S. Nadiv

Department of Minerals Engineering

Technion Israel Institute of Technology

Haifa 32000, Israel

ABSTRACT

The report deals with a new topic, namely magnetic treatment of drinking water and its effect on farm animals - ruminants, poultry and pigs. Initial field findings are presented, mainly concerning milk-, meat-, and egg-yields, as well as reproduction.

Positive results were obtained, with important economic implications for food production.

Although the study is largely experimental, and. although considerable further work - both experimental and theoretical - will be needed, findings to-date represent a major breakthrough with potentialities in other areas, such as algae, fishponds, and vegetable farming.

1.             INTRODUCTION

Physical treatment, electrical or magnetic of water is currently resorted to in industry as a means of reducing scale formation and removing deposited scale.(1-4) A local water-and heat-economy survey(5) which covered industrial enterprises, public facilities, kibbutzim, etc, indicated 65-70% success in solving technological problems in heat exchangers, steam boilers, cooling towers, solar heating installations, refrigeration and air-conditioning plants, etc.

Data on magnetic treatment of irrigation water(10,11) reported on a limited scale in Russia and China - indicate (without any attempt at explanation) accelerated ripening of crops and improved yields.

The theoretical background of the effect in question is still imperfectly clear, and a wide spectrum of attitudes is reflected in literature(1,6,7) In spite of the considerable and variously-oriented research efforts, and of the documented findings regarding the biological(8,9) and medical effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields- science is still in the dark here. (In this context it is important to rote that whereas the biological and medical effect are studied under conditions of direct exposure of the object, water treatment takes place “upstream" of the point of consumption.)

2.             GENERAL BACKGROUND

Israel can boast a modern agriculture whose innovations have won world-wide recognition. With regard to crops, efforts are directed at development of new strains with a view to improved yields and superior sturdiness; of pesticides and pest-control techniques; of improved fertilization and irrigation techniques and regimes; of intensive cultivation methods, vegetative reproduction processes, and technological innovations such as propagation houses, mechanized harvest­ing, etc. With regard to animal husbandry, emphasis is on race improve­ment, new veterinary remedies, improved forage and feeding techniques, specific it feed additives, computerized management, etc. Against the background of these diverse activities; it is perhaps characteristic that the water factor (both its drinking and irrigation varieties) has throughout been regarded as “immutable”, and no attempt was made to modify its specific universal properties - polarity, surface tension, solvent action, etc.

A joint research team of the Technion and Kibbutz Gevat (Valley of Jezreel) worked for 9 years on the aspect of scale formation and removal. The study covered 15 sites - industrial plants, kibbutzim, and public facilities (shopping centers, hospitals, office buildings) -and a demonstration pilot plant at Gevat. Experiments were conducted on heat exchangers, membrane units, solar installations and cooling towers; operating regimes, types of apparatus (four different manufacturers) and relevant heat- and mass-transfer data(2-4) were examined.

Three years ago the decision was taken to extend the study to the areas of biology and botany, with a view to evaluating the beneficial effect of magnetic pretreatment on drinking- and irrigation water in terms of improved fertility and yields. The experimental treatment involved orientation-controlled magnetic fields of constant intensity (generated by “Superior” apparatus (U.S.A.) - in several sizes and models, as specified below and a laminar flow regime. The first cycle of experiments took place at a dairy farm, with follow-up on milk yield, milk fat content, percentage of fertilizations, open days and the general health aspect of the herd, etc. On the strength of positive findings, the study was extended to include:

·         Beef calves and sucklings, one week to three months.

·         Goats (milk and meat).

·         Figs.

·         Poultry (heavy breeding - fertility, eggs and meat)

·          Turkeys (fattening and breeding).

·         Geese (fattening)

The report presents partial findings obtained in regular follow-up over two years at least, with ±5% reproducibility.

3.             LIVESTOCK

(a)           Dairy farm, Gevat

1” RT-1000 apparatus, with magnetic circuit suitably modified, installed in Jan 1986 in the pipeline supplying the cowpen troughs. A herd of 150 milk cows was subdivided into a test group and a control group (the latter given untreated water). The groups were kept separate in close proximity, under identical climatic conditions and diet (composi­tion, dosage, schedule), and milked separately three times daily. The milk yield was determined daily; the fat content - once a month; routine veterinary inspections and the general follow-up were also conducted on a monthly basis. Results were stored in a data bank with provision for processing. Cumulative milking days after the calving, veterinary events, calvings, etc. were likewise recorded.

Also once a month the magnet was dismantled for inspection and cleaning, and reinstalled. The ball-type drain cock was opened once a week for routine cleaning.

The findings of the first test cycle (Table 1) indicate a higher milk yield in the test groups. considerable improvement with regard to open days, increased fertilization values (by up to 10%) and improved health in  general.

Parallel to the above series, a 1¼” RT-1250 apparatus was used from Jan 1986 for two other groups in a neighboring pen – one consisting of heifers and the other of drying-off cows. Results (Table 2) were excellent, with a daily yield increase of over 2 liters compared with the preceding year. There was also general improvement in the health of the herd, especially with regard to mastitis (complete disappearance of udder edema - a common disease in the herds of the region, the cause of premature dropping-out of choice animals).

TABLE 2 —Comparison data — milk yield and fat content; Groups A (heifers) vs. D (drying—off) and Herd Average (untreated water in 1985, treated water in 1986).

*July through December 1986 protein ration reduced by 15%.

Calves are transferred, at the age of one week, to separate cages where they are kept up to the age of about two months. During this period they are fed sour milk, and after weaning are introduced to the regular diet. Weights on admission and discharge, as well as the dates of weaning, are recorded. Results are given in Table 3 (see also Appendix A). The test pen comprises two rows of 45 cages each, one row housing the control group and the other the test group (water treated with 3/4” RT-750 apparatus). Weight gain, general health, response on introduction to roughage, and special events are recorded.

TABLE 3 — Calving pen report, test••vs. control group

After two to three months, the calves are transferred to the fattening pen (3/4” RT-75O apparatus installed in Oct. 1986) until the age of 11-12 months. Because of budget and manpower limitations, as well as an overcrowding problem, separation into test and control groups was dispensed with. Weight gains, beef quality (lean-to-fat proportion) and general health data are recorded. There is also qualitative inspection, for comparison n available past data and with information provided by neighbouring settlements practising the same husbandry methods.

A population of 150 calves, separated by partitions in age groups (an open yard provided for each) is observed over a period of a year and a half, with the following findings:

-The youngest group achieved an average daily weight gain of 1400 g per head; overall average for all groups throughout the observation period - 1200 to .1300 g per head.

General state of health - excellent.

Beef quality (as established after slaughtering)-likewise excellent, hence the specific demand for these calves by cattle buyers and good prices for the beef.

The above encouraging results were achieved in spite of unsatisfact­ory accommodation and a relatively inexpensive diet compared with neighboring settlements

(c)           Milk Goats and Meat  Kids (Moshav Kefar Yehezkel)

A flock of milk goats (250 heads) grazes for half a day and is given ensilage and forage in the feed, with untreated drinking water until noon, and from noon until next morning - water treated with a 1/2” RT-500 K apparatus. The treated water is also supplied for the kids and to the local dairy plant (cheese and milk production). Kids (150-200 head per year) are fattened until the age of 8 months and marketed for meat (average weight - 50-60 kg per head). Milk yield, weight gain of the kids, fertility and health are observed. Results are favorable throughout.

(d) Sheep - Milk and Mutton (Zaid farm, near Kiryat Tivon)

RT-750 k, 3/4” apparatus installed in December 1987, in pipeline supplying drinking water for the whole farm except for a control group of lambs. Highly favorable preliminary findings.

(e) Pork Pigs (Nazareth)

Herd of 1500 head, separated in age groups, given granulated mixed feed, yellow cheese waste and biscuit waste. Monthly meat yield - about 30 tons. 1”, RT-l000 apparatus installed in Jan. 1988, in pipeline for selected groups. Weight gain, general health, fertility of farrowing sows, development of litters (kept with dams for two months prior to separation).

Findings: improved rate of growth and pork quality (higher lean-to-fat proportion), higher rate of fertilization, reduced mortality).

4.             POULTRY

This section deals with chickens (fattening and breeding), geese (fattening) , and turkeys (breeding).

(a)           Laying Chickens, Heavy Breeding (Gevat)

1/2” RT-500 apparatus installed in April 1987 in drinking-water system, with continuous treatment throughout the season provided by means of a circulation pump. The experiment covered three pens (about 4500 birds each) equipped with sophisticated microclimate control instrumentation and with automatic feeding and egg-harvesting equipment. One pen represents the test group, the other two - the control group. Onset and volume of laying, shell quality (breakage rate), fertility of eggs, hatching rate, general health, mortality are observed.

The flock in the three pens had to be disposed of in mid-September 1987 because of respiratory disorders, but available findings indicate a highly favorable effect in the test group:

·         Early laying.

·         Significant superiority in egg yield throughout the laying period.

·         3-5% superiority in egg fertility.

·         Reduced mortality.

No difference was observed with regard to breakage and to shell thickness.

(b)           Breeding Pen (Kibbutz Ginegar)

Also a three-pen farm of the same size as that of Gevat. Similar apparatus (RT-500, 1/2”) installed Sept. 1987, for an existing three-weeks-old flock. Here one pen represents the test group, another the control group, and the third is given untreated water and a boosted diet compared with the test group. Results - Tables 7 through 9. Main findings:

·         Laying in test group improved by 5-10%, production of brood eggs -by 5%.

·         In the third pen - identical results with the test group, indicating that treatment of the water is equivalent to boosting the diet, with the obvious economic implications.

Remark:                The test pens in the above two experiments were chosen in the light of their inferior laying rates, due to location and to climatic conditions.

(c)           Brood Turkeys (Moshav Nahalal)

Methodology, location of apparatus, water circulation and supply, objects of test as under (b) . Apparatus - 1/2” RT-500 K, with a pump for continuous treatment. No control group - treated water given throughout. Owner acting as observer, on the basis of his previous experience. Improved results - compared with the preceding laying season - in terms of egg yield, shape, breakage, fertility and hatching rate.

(4)           Green Geese (Moshav 1-layogev)

Goslings kept in the pen until the age of two months, then transferred to another pen for fattening (production of “foie gras” for export), 3/4” RT-750 K apparatus with circulation pump installed in December 1987.

Improvement after two seasons in terms of daily weight gain, general health, mortality. Owner’s return increased.

5.             DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

(1) Positive results of paramount significance in livestock and poultry husbandry were obtained. The economic advantage both in terms of cost-benefit and relative to the investment in the apparatus is unambiguous. Findings indicate a breakthrough of major impact.

(2) This is a unique pioneering study conducted under field conditions. Further comparative experimentation is recommended under close control by specialists.

(3) In the light of the possibilities implied by the findings, allocation of resources is recommended for extension to the following areas:

·         Algae and fishponds.

·         Membrane processes (organic and inorganic).

·         Plants relevant to agriculture.

(4) Attention should be paid to important parameters such as water quality and throughput, mode of supply, operation and maintenance (technique and schedule) of magnetic apparatus. The latter should also be optimized with regard to the magnetic circuit, geometry, capacity and field gradient - with a view to peak performance.

(5) The mechanism underlying the magnetic effect should be identified, in the light of the findings.

(6) Following the present in-vivo study, an in-vitro counterpart is emphatically recommended.

(7) Considering the observed wide variability of the water throughput due to diurnal and seasonal fluctuations, to the size of the test population, to the quality of the water and diet - the magnetic apparatus is incapable, in principle, of optimal performance at all times. Accordingly, it is recommended that the magnet be designed for a range of throughputs, and/or combined with a permanent circulation system.

(8) A considerable nationwide effort is in progress in Israel with regard to improved animal nutrition. Should this effort be augmented with a parallel one with regard to the drinking water, a major contribution would result to the standard of the country’s agriculture.

(9) The commercial potentialities of the topic presented in this report are inexhaustible.

Dairy Herd Case Report

Mike Denny was introduced to magnets when we suggested trying a Bioflow for his shoulder. He had suffered ligament damage when he fell through the calf house roof that he was mending. Physiotherapy had not eased the pain and he was unable to sleep on his bad shoulder or raise his arm above his head. Three weeks after wearing a Bioflow magnetic wristband he could do both. We then told him about good results we had had on farms putting magnets on the water supply and he agreed to try H2Flows in the parlour and on the water trough for the milking cows. In summer he put them on the outside supply.

He is convinced that the cows are much healthier since fitting the H2Flows. There has been less respiratory disease, less stomach bacteria, less foot problems and milk fever has gone down dramatically this year. He had had to have the vet less times than he had ever known. Two years ago he had 8 cases of e-coli mastitis but this year there has been only four and he has been able to treat it - the cows recover more quickly and don’t lose the quarter. “I’m convinced the magnets have helped this” said Mike. He also added that cell counts have gone down by 100% and taking the pH out of the water has dropped the rumen pH level enabling the cows to convert grass into milk more efficiently. He has also had no instance of acetonaemia this year.

Fertility in the country has not been good this year but Mike feels the magnets have improved his herd’s fertility.

Out of  59 cows served 71% held to the first service. 21 cows served 75% held to the second service.

Last summer Mike had a cow down with bad milk fever for 48 hours. The vet came and diagnosed damaged ligaments and said the only solution was to put it down. Mike decided to try a pair of the magnetic horse boots. The cow got up, hobbled for three weeks but is now back in the herd walking normally.

‘Healthwise” Mike said “I think the magnets are a big benefit”. To top it all milk yield is up, 7% over projection, and if this carries on it will surpass last year’s production