Abstract:
An electrical system having an underlying structure having a helical shape is used to produce useful electromagnetic effects for agricultural applications, including promoting growth of animals.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to bodies structured as one or more helically wound runners around which one or more conductive wires may be wound, electrical devices and/or systems configured to include such bodies, and agricultural applications thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known that spirally wound electrical conductors exhibit certain electromagnetic properties and/or can be used, e.g., to generate particular electromagnetic fields. For example, it is known that an electromagnetic coil may act as an inductor and/or part of a transformer, and has many established useful applications in electrical circuits. Applications of an electromagnetic coil may exploit the electromagnetic field that is created when, e.g., an active current source is operatively coupled to the coil. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the invention relates to an electrical system for promoting growth of life stock, fish, and/or other animals. The system includes one or more bodies, one or more runners, one or more conductive wires, one or more current sources, and/or other components. Individual bodies may include one or more runners arranged in a helical shape having at least two complete revolutions per runner. Individual bodies may have a periphery. Individual bodies may be installed around and/or near one or more animals. Individual wires may be carried by individual runners. Individual wires may be conductive. Individual current sources may be arranged to electrically couple with one or more wires causing one or more currents through one or more wires. The one or more current sources may be configured to cause currents through wires such that one or more electromagnetic effects, e.g. electromagnetic fields, are created in and/or around individual bodies. The one or more electromagnetic effects may promote growth of the one or more animals disposed within and/or near the one or more bodies. 
     One aspect of the invention relates to a method for promoting growth of life stock, fish, and/or other animals. The method may include installing one or more bodies around and/or near one or more animals and supplying one or more currents to the one or more bodies such that one or more electromagnetic effects, e.g. electromagnetic fields, are created within and/or near the body. The one or more electromagnetic effects may promote of growth of the one or more animals within and/or near the one or more bodies. Individual bodies may include one or more runners, one or more wires, and/or other components. Individual runners may be arranged in at least two complete revolutions per runner. Individual wires may be carried by individual runners. Individual wires may be conductive. The one or more current sources may be configured to supply currents through individual wires such that one or more electromagnetic effects, e.g. electromagnetic fields, are created in and/or around one or more bodies. 
     These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related components of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the any limits. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a system for promoting growth of an animal, according to one or more implementations. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a method for promoting growth of an animal, according to one or more implementations. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a system for promoting growth of one or more animals, according to one or more implementations. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a system for promoting growth of one or more animals, according to one or more implementations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  for promoting growth of an animal  14 , according to one or more implementations. System  10  includes a body  85 , a first wire  86 , a current source  11 , and/or other components. The depiction of animal  14  as a single entity is not meant to be limiting. Animal  14  may include one or more animals and/or other organisms. As used herein, the term “animal” may refer to any organism of the kingdom Animalia except humans. In some implementations, system  10  may be configured to promote growth in livestock, fish, and/or other animals. In some implementations, system  10  may be configured to promote growth of animals that are raised, bred, grown, or produced in captivity and/or under human control. In some implementations, system  10  may be configured to promote growth of animals for a commercial purpose, including but not limited to the purpose of human consumption. In some implementations, the term animal may include genetically modified and/or synthetic organisms. In some implementations, an animal may include, by way of non-limiting example, a chicken, a cow, a pig, a lamb, a goat, a bird, a fish, a crustacean, a mollusk, a reptile, and/or other animals. 
     By way of non-limiting example, additional structures and/or features of body  85 , runners  88  and  89 , current source  11 , and/or processing component described herein, may be described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,653,925, entitled “Double Helix Conductor,” which issued Feb. 18, 2014, which is hereby incorporated into this disclosure by reference in its entirety. This patent may also be referred to as “the &#39;925 patent” herein. 
     By way of non-limiting example, additional structures and/or features of body  85 , runners  88  and  89 , current source  11 , and/or processing component described herein, may be described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,035, entitled “Agricultural Applications of a Double Helix Conductor,” which issued Dec. 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated into this disclosure by reference in its entirety. This patent may also be referred to as “the &#39;035 patent” herein. 
     By way of non-limiting example, additional structures and/or features of body  85 , runners  88  and  89 , current source  11 , and/or processing component described herein, may be described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/194,412, entitled “HEALTH APPLICATIONS FOR USING BIO-FEEDBACK TO CONTROL AN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FIELD,” which was filed Feb. 28, 2014, which is hereby incorporated into this disclosure by reference in its entirety. This patent may also be referred to as “the &#39;412 application” herein. 
     Body  85  of system  10  in  FIG. 1  may include one or more helically wound runners. As depicted in  FIG. 1  by way of non-limiting example, body  85  may include two intertwined helically wound runners—runner  88  and runner  89 —sharing the same (circular) axis. Runner  88  and runner  89  may be arranged in the shape of a double helix. Individual runners may be coupled by struts  90  to other runners. Individual ones of the runners may have one or more conductive wires spirally wound therearound. Runner  88  and runner  89  of body  85  may form cores around which wire  86  and wire  87  are spirally wound, respectively. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , body  85  includes two wires: wire  86  and wire  87 . In some implementations, system  10  includes one runner, three runners, and/or another number of runners. In some implementations, system  10  includes one wire, three wires, and/or another number of wires. In some implementations, system  10  includes one current source, three current sources, and/or another number of current sources. 
     Wire  86 , as any wire listed in any figure included in this description, may be insulated, uninsulated, or partially insulated and partially uninsulated. As used herein, any “wire” may include a set of twisted wires (which may interchangeably be referred to as a “twisted wire” or a “pair of twisted wires”), including but not limited to a set of two twisted wires. The number of turns of a set of twisted wires per inch and/or per helical revolution of a runner may be characteristic measurements/features of the system. In some implementations, the number of twists per inch of a twisted wire may be about 2, about 5, about 10, about 20, about 100, about 150, about 200, about 250, and/or another suitable number of twists. In some implementations, the number of twists per inch of a twisted wire may be 144 twists. 
     System  10  may include one or more current sources. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , system  10  may include two current sources, current source  11  and current source  12 . Individual ones of the current sources may be configured to induce one or more currents through one or more wires and/or across electrical leads, including but not limited to the electrical leads of the one or more wires wound around the one or more runners of body  85 . In some implementations, the one or more currents may include one or more alternating currents. In some implementations, one or more induced currents may correspond to one or more sensor-generated output signals. In some implementations, the one or more induced currents may correspond to one or more signals generated by a transducer, a signal generator, an (audio) amplifier, and/or other components, including but not limited to the components described in the &#39;925 patent, the &#39;035 patent, and/or the &#39;412 application. In some implementations, the one or more current sources  12  may be configured to induce two independent currents to the two (twisted) wires that are spirally wound around the first runner and the second runner, respectively. 
     Runner  88  and runner  89  of body  85  and system  10  in  FIG. 1  may be arranged in the shape of a three-dimensional curve similar to or substantially the same as a (double) helix, bend with its ends arranged together (e.g., in a toroidal shape). It is noted that the shape of body  85  resembles the general shape of DNA. The shape of the cross-section of a runner may include one or more of a circle, an oval, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, an angular shape, a polygon, and/or other shapes. The width and height of the cross-section of a runner may be limited for practical purposes. For example, for the purposes described herein, in some implementations, it may be preferred arrange body  85  such that there is available space within the periphery of body  85 , as shown, e.g., in  FIG. 1 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the shape of the cross-section of runner  88  and runner  89  is a circle. Note that implementations of this disclosure are not intended to be limited by any of the given examples. 
     In some implementations, individual wires may be arranged around individual runners such that the individual wire is arranged at a fixed and/or constant distance from the individual runner and/or the surface of the individual runner, at least for one or more individual ones of the revolutions of the helical shape of the individual runner. In some implementations, the individual wire is arranged in continuous contact with the individual runner and/or the surface of the individual runner, at least for one or more individual ones of the revolutions of the helical shape of the individual runner. 
     Runner  88 , runner  89  and/or struts  90  of system  10  in  FIG. 1  may be manufactured from one or more of plastic, plastic plated with metals including copper, nickel, iron, soft iron, nickel alloys, and/or other metals and alloys, and/or other materials. In some implementations, runner  88 , runner  89  and struts  90  may be manufactured from non-conductive material. Runner  88 , runner  89 , and struts  90  may be manufactured from different materials. Runner  88 , runner  89 , and struts  90  may be manufactured through integral construction or formed separately prior to being assembled. The preceding statement is not intended to limit the (process of) manufacture of bodies similar to or substantially the same as body  85  in any way. In some implementations, a body similar to body  85  may have no struts. 
     The shape of body  85  of system  10  in  FIG. 1  may be generally toroidal. In some implementations, the body of system  10  may be arranged in any planar shape, including circular, polygonal, and/or other shapes. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, a body such as body  85  may be arranged in a three-dimensional curve (a.k.a. space curve). Runner  88  and runner  89  of body  85  may form cores around which wire  86  and wire  87  are spirally wound, respectively. As such, wire  86  and wire  87  may be arranged in a helical shape having axes that coincide with runner  88  and runner  89 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1 , wire  86  and  87  may be wound such that they go around any of struts  90  of body  85  and/or around any points of engagement between one of struts  90  and one of runners  88  and  89 . The number of wire turns per complete revolution of a runner and/or the number of wire turns between adjacent struts may be characteristic measurements/features of body  85 . In  FIG. 1 , wire  86  and wire  87  are arranged to make approximately three to five turns between adjacent struts associated with runner  88  and runner  89 , respectively, and/or some other number of turns. The depiction of  FIG. 1  is intended to be exemplary, and in no way limiting. 
     Wire  86  may include two or more leads—as depicted, lead  86   a  and lead  86   b . Wire  87  may include two or more leads—as depicted, lead  87   a  and lead  87   b . By way of non-limiting example, a twisted wire may have four leads. In system  10 , body  85  is electrically coupled with one or more power sources and/or current sources, such as, e.g., current source  11  and/or a current source  12 , arranged such that electrical coupling with one or both of wire  86  and wire  87  may be established, e.g. through coupling of current source  11  with lead  86   a  and  86   b  of wire  86  and through coupling of current source  12  with lead  87   a  and  87   b  of wire  87 . The current supplied to wire  86  may be a direct current or an alternating current. The current supplied to wire  87  may be a direct current or an alternating current. The currents supplied to wire  86  and wire  87  may flow in the same direction or the opposite direction. 
     For alternating currents, operating frequencies ranging from 0 Hz to 100 GHz are contemplated. Operating currents ranging from 1 pA to 10 A are contemplated. Operating voltages ranging from 1 mV to 20 kV are contemplated. In some implementations, a root mean square voltage of about 12 V is supplied to wire  86  and/or wire  87 . In a preferred implementation, the frequency of the alternating current supplied to wire  86  and/or wire  87  may be between 0 Hz and 20 kHz. In some implementations, the current is less than about 1 pA, 1 nA, 1 mA, 100 mA, 250 mA, 500 mA, and/or other amounts of current. The operating frequencies for wire  86  and wire  87  may be the same or different. Other electrical operating characteristics of current supplied to wire  86  and wire  87 , such as phase, may be the same or different. System  10  may be used to exploit the electromagnetic effect and/or field that may be created in and/or around body  85  when electrical power is supplied to one or more wires of body  85 . The electromagnetic effect may promote growth of animal  14  disposed within and/or near body  85  and/or the periphery of body  85 . 
     Some implementations of a system including a body similar to or substantially the same as body  85  in  FIG. 1 , thus including wire  86  and wire  87 , may be configured to have a current in wire  86  flowing in the opposite direction as the current in wire  87 . In some implementations the current supplied to one wire may be a direct current, whereas the current supplied to another wire may be an alternating current. 
     In some implementations, one or more currents flowing through a body similar to body  85  may be controlled to correspond to one or more signals. By way of non-limiting example,  FIG. 3  illustrates a system  10 A for promoting growth of one or more animals. System  10 A may be the same as or similar to system  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 . System  10 A may include a body  85 A, a current source  11 , one or more processors  110 , a processing component  113 , a playback component  112 , an input component  111 , a user interface  120 , electronic storage  130 , and/or other components. In some implementations, one or more components of system  10 A may correspond to one or more processors, computer program components, user interfaces, electronic storage, and/or other components, including but not limited to the components described in the &#39;925 patent, the &#39;035 patent, and/or the &#39;412 application. 
     System  10 A may include a body  85 A that is the same as or similar to body  85  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Body  85 A may be suspended above the one or more animals  14 , placed around the one or more animals  14 , placed underneath an area for the one or more animals  14  (e.g. underneath a pen or other enclosure), and/or otherwise arranged in proximity of the one or more animals  14 . In some implementations, body  85 A may be installed around an area having a width between 10 and 500 feet, and having a length between 10 and 500 feet. In some implementations, the width may be about 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet, 20 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet, 200 feet, 250 feet, 300 feet, 400 feet, 500 feet, and/or another appropriate length that is suitable for the number and kind of animals disposed within and/or near body  85 A. In some implementations, the length may be about 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet, 20 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet, 200 feet, 250 feet, 300 feet, 400 feet, 500 feet, and/or another appropriate length that is suitable for the number and kind of animals disposed within and/or near body  85 A. 
     In some implementations, the one or more processors  110  may be configured to provide information-processing capabilities and/or execute computer program components, including but not limited to input component  111 , playback component  112 , processing component  113 , and/or other components. Processor  110  may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, an analog circuit designed to process information, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor  110  is shown in  FIG. 3  as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor  110  may include a plurality of processing units. 
     In some implementations, an alternating current supplied to body  85 A may include a carrier signal and a modulating signal. In some implementations, carrier signals used for the alternating current may be radio-frequency signals. As used herein, radio frequency may refer to frequencies between about 30 kHz and about 30 GHz. In some implementations, the modulating signal for the alternating current may be modulated through one or more of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, digital modulation, and/or other types of modulation. 
     In some implementations, the one or more frequencies included in the alternating current may be based on audio recordings of a note, tone, or chord, generated by a frequency generator, a function generator, and/or a (musical) instrument. In some implementations, a first frequency may be used for the first runner, and a second frequency may be used for the second runner. For example, a first frequency may be based on the sound of an instrument, e.g. a piano, playing an A above middle C (also referred to as A 4 , which may include sound having a frequency of about 432 Hz, depending on the tuning system used). For example, a second frequency may be based on the sound of some instrument, e.g. a piano, playing a note forming a harmonious interval with A 4 , e.g. E 5 , which may include sound having a frequency of about 648 Hz. For example, a third frequency, if used, may be based on the sound of some instrument, e.g. a piano, playing a note forming a harmonious interval with A 4 , e.g. A 5 , which may include sound having a frequency of about 864 Hz. The particular tuning used in some implementations may be referred to as Pythagorean tuning. Mathematically perfect tuning may combine notes having a 3:2 ratio. Different types of tuning (or tuning systems), including but not limited to equal tempered tuning, may be used and considered within the scope of this disclosure. 
     It should be appreciated that although components  111 - 113  are illustrated in  FIG. 3  as being co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor  110  includes multiple processing units, one or more of components  111 - 113  may be located remotely from the other components. The description of the functionality provided by the different components  111 - 113  described herein is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of components  111 - 113  may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of components  111 - 113  may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be incorporated, shared, integrated into, and/or otherwise provided by other ones of components  111 - 113 . Note that processor  110  may be configured to execute one or more additional components that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one of components  111 - 113 . 
     Input component  111  may be configured to obtain information, e.g. from one or more digital audio files, or, alternatively and/or simultaneously, based on sensor-generate output signals. In some implementations, the information may be obtained from storage, e.g. from electronic storage. Information obtained from storage may include electronic audio files in any format, including but not limited to MP3, WMA, WAV, AIFF, and/or other audio formats. In some implementations, information may be obtained from sound sources including frequency generators, function generators, phonographs, CD-players, DVD players, AM radio, FM radio, and/or other sound sources. In some implementations, the information obtained by input component  111  may be streaming data (e.g. streaming audio) from a particular website. 
     Processing component  113  may be configured to process the obtained information from input component  111 . In some implementations, processing component  113  may be configured to generate a processed signal based on the obtained information from input component  111 . For example, processing component  113  may convert, filter, modify, and/or otherwise transform information or signals from input component  111  to generate the processed signal. 
     Playback component  112  may be configured to produce sound signals based on one or more of the obtained information from input component  111  and/or the processed signal from processing component  113 . The sound signals produced by playback component  112  may be coupled electrically to the leads of one or more conductive wires wound around one or more runners of body  85 A such that the induced current may correspond to and/or be based on the sound signals. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, the induced current may be controlled by and/or based on the sound signals produced by playback component  112 . In some implementations, the sound signals produced by playback component  112  may be amplified by an amplifier (not shown) before being electrically coupled to the leads of one or more conductive wires. In some preferred implementations, the amplifier may be an audio amplifier ranging between 100 W and 400 W. Other types of amplifiers and/or amplifiers having a different power range are also contemplated. 
     Electronic storage  130  of system  10 A in  FIG. 3  may include electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage  130  may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with its electrical system and/or removable storage that is connectable to its electrical system via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a Firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage  130  may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage  130  may store software algorithms, information determined by processor  110 , information received via user interface  120 , and/or other information that enables system  10 A or another system described in this disclosure to function properly. For example, electronic storage  130  may store sound information and/or electronic audio files (as discussed elsewhere herein), and/or other information. Electronic storage  130  may be a separate component within its electrical system, or electronic storage  130  may be provided integrally with one or more other components of its electrical system (e.g., processor  110 ). 
     User interface  120  of system  10 A in  FIG. 3  may be configured to provide an interface between the system and a user through which the user can provide information to and receive information from the system. This enables data, results, and/or instructions and any other communicable items, collectively referred to as “information,” to be communicated between a user and the system. An example of information that may be conveyed to a user is an indication of the volume and/or intensity of the sound signals produced by playback component  112 . Examples of interface devices suitable for inclusion in user interface  120  include a keypad, buttons, switches, a keyboard, knobs, levers, a display screen, a touch screen, speakers, a microphone, an indicator light, an audible alarm, and a printer. Information may be provided to a user by user interface  120  in the form of auditory signals, visual signals, tactile signals, and/or other sensory signals. 
     It is to be understood that other communication techniques, either hard-wired or wireless, are also contemplated herein as user interface  120 . For example, in one implementation, user interface  120  may be integrated with a removable storage interface provided by electronic storage  130 . In this example, information is loaded into system  10 A in  FIG. 3  from removable storage (e.g., a smart card, a flash drive, a removable disk, etc.) that enables the user(s) to customize the system  10 A. Other exemplary input devices and techniques adapted for use with system  10 A may include, but are not limited to, an RS-232 port, RF link, an IR link, modem (telephone, cable, Ethernet, internet or other). In short, any technique for communicating information with system  10 A  FIG. 3  is contemplated as user interface  120 . 
     In some implementations, system  10  may include multiple bodies similar to or substantially the same as body  85 . Currents for these multiple bodies may be supplied by one or more power sources and/or current sources. In some implementations, a system may include a combination of one or more bodies similar to or substantially the same as body  85  and one or more bodies similar to or substantially the same as body  85 . By way of non-limiting example,  FIG. 4  illustrates a system  10 B for promoting growth of one or more animals. System  10 B may be the same as or similar to system  10 A depicted in  FIG. 3 . System  10 B may include a set  85 C of bodies  85 B, and/or other components. By way of non-limiting example, one or more current sources, processors, computer program components, user interfaces, electronic storage, and/or other components are not depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     Applications for any of the described systems herein, such as, e.g., system  10 , system  10 A, and system  10 B, herein may include affecting growth and/or growth rate of animals and/or other organisms. For example, a particular type of animal may have a typical growth rate, or range of typical growth rates, under growing conditions that lack a significant electromagnetic effect and/or field. For the purposes of this description, a significant electromagnetic field may be determined as an electromagnetic field of at least a predetermined threshold level of tesla. The predetermined threshold may be 1 pT, 1 nT, 1 mT, 10 mT, 100 mT, and/or another threshold. Using any of the electrical systems described herein, the growth rate, or range of typical growth rates, of the particular type of animal may be increased to a higher growth rate, or higher range of growth rates, for the particular animal. A unit of growth rate may be inch/day, or another unit expressing some length, area, volume, or size per unit of time, and/or another appropriate unit. 
     For example, a specific type of animal may have a typical maximum growth level, under growing conditions that lack a significant electromagnetic field. Using any of the electrical systems described herein, the maximum growth level, or range of typical maximum growth levels, of the specific type of animal may be increased to a higher maximum growth level, or higher range of maximum growth levels, for the specific animal. Maximum growth level may be expressed in inches, square inches, liters, kilograms, lipid content, and/or another unit expressing some length, area, volume, weight, or size, and/or another appropriate unit. 
     For example, a particular type of animal may have a typical maximum yield, under growing conditions that lack a significant electromagnetic field. Using any of the electrical systems described herein, the maximum yield, or range of typical maximum yields, of the particular type of animal may be increased to a higher maximum yield, or higher range of maximum yields, for the particular animal. Maximum yield may be expressed in volume or weight per area and/or period, such as kilogram/square feet, or pounds per acre per week, and/or other units as appropriate. 
     For example, a particular type of animal may have a typical duration to reach maturity, under growing conditions that lack a significant electromagnetic field. Using any of the electrical systems described herein, the duration to reach maturity, or range of typical durations to reach maturity, of the particular type of animal may be decreased to a shorter duration to reach maturity, or shorter range of duration to reach maturity, for the particular animal. Duration to reach maturity may be expressed in hours, days, weeks, and/or other units as appropriate. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a method  200  for promoting growth of one or more animals. The operations of method  200  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In certain implementations, method  200  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method  200  are illustrated in  FIG. 2  and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
     In certain implementations, method  200  may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method  200  in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method  300 . 
     At an operation  202 , a body is installed around and/or near one or more animals. The body includes at least one runner, a wire, and one or more current sources. The runner is arranged in a helical shape having at least two complete revolutions. The wire is carried by the first runner. The wire is conductive. The one or more current sources are arranged to electrically couple with the wire. In one implementation, operation  202  is performed by a user of system  10  (shown in  FIG. 1  and described above). 
     At an operation  204 , an alternating current is supplied through the wire such that an electromagnetic effect (e.g. an electromagnetic field) is created in and/or around the body that promotes growth of the one or more animals disposed within and/or near the body. In one implementation, operation  204  is performed by one or more current sources similar to or substantially the same as current source  11  (shown in  FIG. 1  and described above). 
     Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.