Preventing traumatic reticuloperitonitis through oral magnet therapy

Abstract

The Farmer FIRST Programme is a flagship initiative that has successfully facilitated the dissemination and adoption of essential technologies among stakeholders in need. One such vital technology for safeguarding animal health and welfare is oral magnet therapy, which involves administering oral magnets to large dairy animals, such as cattle and buffaloes, to prevent traumatic
reticuloperitonitis (TRP), or 'Hardware Disease.' Oral magnets are standardized and recommended for TRP prevention, and in this project, magnets were administered to a total of 162 animals, including 102 buffaloes and 60 cows, from 2016 to 2024. The intervention was conducted in three villages of Barnala district—Kalala, Chananwal, and Moom—benefiting a total of 60 farmers. None of the beneficiaries in these villages have reported any cases of TRP to date. An economic analysis of TRP prevention demonstrated the substantial economic benefits of oral magnet therapy, highlighting its effectiveness in preventing significant financial losses.