Russian dairy farmers fit cows with virtual reality headsets to 'improve their wellbeing' and milk production

Cows were shown a simulation of a summer field
Bronwen Weatherby26 November 2019

Cows on a Russian dairy farm were herded into the digital age when workers strapped virtual reality goggles to their heads in a bid to improve their wellbeing.

Cattle fitted with the headsets at the Krasnogorsk Farm near Moscow were treated to a simulation of a summer field.

The study revealed "reduced anxiety and improved overall emotional mood in the herd", said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Moscow.

Farmers have worked with developers, vets and consultants to carry out the research.

Farmers hope an improvement in wellbeing will have a positive effect on milk production

They now plan to test whether the improvement in overall mood will increase milk production.

Human VR headsets were taken and moulded to the shape of the bovine animal's head.

Cows can see colour however they do not see red or green and only pick up on dull shades of yellow and blue.

Therefore, IT specialists tweaked the colour palette of the software to make it more suitable for the cows' vision.

According to the governmental department, agricultural industries are increasingly relying on robotics to improve the welfare of cattle.

Its website referred to Dutch and Scottish research which found "environmental conditions have a significant impact on cow health and, as a consequence, the quality and quantity of milk produced".

And in the US, American farmers use rotating brushes to massage the cows.

Other farmers in Moscow are already taking steps to improve the health of their animals including playing classical music to relax them

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