Russian Cows Wear VR Headsets to Improve Milk Production

Watching a VR pasture may improve cows' mood and encourage milk production (via Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Moscow Region)

Russian farmers are testing new prototype VR glasses—on their cows.

Dairy producers in Moscow hope scenes of peaceful pastures will keep the cattle calm in an effort to generate more milk.

“The combination of many years of experience and technology is the key to sustainable development of the industry,” according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Moscow Region.

Russia, which has long been dependent on imported milk, aims to be self-sufficient in dairy by 2020, Dairy Global reported in April.

To meet such a lofty goal, the country has resorted to some, well, unusual tactics.

“In addition to physical needs, researchers began to pay more attention to the emotional state of animals,” a Ministry press release said. “Examples of dairy farms from different countries show that in a calm atmosphere, the quantity, and sometimes the quality, of milk increases markedly.”

American farmers, for instance, install automatically rotating brushes in stalls to massage cattle. In Europe, robotic systems ensure maximum free movement of livestock. And Russian manufacturers broadcast classical music.

Russian farmers test VR glasses on dairy cows (via Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Moscow Region)

Employees of the RusMoloko farm in Russia’s Ramensky District, however, are taking things a step further with VR glasses.

Developers adapted a virtual reality headset, intended for a human, to fit the head of a cow. Dairy cattle were then shown a “unique summer field simulation program.”

(I’m picturing a wide open field of green under a cloudless blue sky, with endless piles of wheat straw, alfalfa, and barley sprouts scattered around the pasture.)

During initial testing, experts recorded a decrease in anxiety and an increase in the overall emotional mood of the herd.

“Technology improvements should affect the industry as a whole,” the Ministry said. “The impact of VR glasses on the milk production of cows will be shown by a further comprehensive study.”

If cows can have their own dating app, then surely they can enjoy a virtual frolic once in a while.

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