Case history
There are two 250 cow herds on this farm both under identical management.
Herd A: A Spring Calving herd supplied by mains water treated Magnetically.
Herd B: A Spring Calving herd supplied by mains water untreated (Control).
Correct Magnets installed in Herd A in September 2001 supplying 80% of troughs. A second set of Magnets installed in June 2002 to treat the remaining 20% of troughs. The assessment covers a 3 year period from 2000 to 2003, 200 being the year before installation.
Feed plan
Being spring calving herd,s the majority of milk is produced from grass plus 16% cake at a flat rate of 6Kg/cow/day. The grass is either directly grazed or cut and grazed 24hrs later (New Zealand style). During winter months, grass silage is fed, supplimented by 18% cake at a flat rate of 6Kg/cow/day reducing to 2Kg in December.
| Silage Herd A | DM | ME | CrP | Dvalue | |
| 2001 | 35.9 | 11.5 | 13.1 | 72 | |
| 2002 | 29.2 | 11.9 | 15.4 | 74 |
| Silage Herd B | DM | ME | CrP | Dvalue | |
| 2001 | 24.3 | 11.6 | 15.2 | 72 | |
| 2002 | 20.5 | 11.5 | 16.1 | 72 |
Results
Milk Production
Whole Herd yearly Performance Lts/Cow/Day Comparison between Herds A and B. The average daily yields for each herd were compared, the year after magnets were fitted with the year before Magnets were installed. Secondly a comparison of the second year after installation with the year before magnets were fitted.
Summary
Sep-Aug
Sep-Aug
Incr
Sep-Aug
Incr
00/01
01/02
decr
02/03
decr
Herd A
17.9
18.4
+0.5
19.0
+0.6
Increase 1.1 Ltrs/cow/day
Herd B
19.8
19.4
-0.4
19.0
-0.4
Decrease 0.8 Ltrs/cow/day
1. During the year before treatment Herd A yielded 1.9lts/cow/day less than Herd B.
2. By the end of the 2nd year’s treatment, Herd A's average yield was 19.0lts/cow/day.
3. The Average Increase in Herd A over the two years of treatment was 1.1lts/cow/day.
4. Over the same period in Herd B, the Average yield was down by 0.8lts/cow/day.
5. During the 5 months after magnets were fitted, Sept 01 - Jan 02, Herd A yielded an Extra 2.0lts/cow/day more than in the same period without treated water, whereas in the control Herd B, the cows only yielded an Extra 0.9lts/cow/day.
Overall, the analysis of results gives a strong indication that Magnetic Treatment of water has improved the Herd A average daily yield over a period of 2 years. Young Heifers from both herds were reared together and received treated water over the last 2 winters. During these 2 winters they have been in better condition than previously. This year (Feb 2004) their concentrate ration was reduced from 2Kg to 1.5Kg per head to prevent heifers putting on too much condition.