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When it comes to making healthier choices about the food we eat, it can be difficult to know where to start. What does organic mean? Should we choose grain fed or grass finished beef? Free-range or free-run? What’s the difference anyway? Melanie Epp, a freelance writer who works in agriculture, will bring the answers to these questions and more, directly From the Farmer’s Mouth.
Most of us have the perfect playlist kicking around on our iPods, whether it’s a relaxation mix made perfect for reading, or a bass-thumping mix made for pounding the pavement during your run.
But it’s not just humans who have preferred playlists. Research shows us dairy cows do too.
Psychologists at the University of Leicester in the UK played a combination of no music, fast music and slow music for 12 hours per day for a total of nine weeks. As it turns out, cows do have a preference. They prefer the soft sounds of Simon & Garfunkel to the groovy beats of Jamiroquai. In fact, when Simon & Garfunkel are harmonizing in the milk shed, production increases by 3% per day!
“Most theories of music are based on humans,” says researcher Liam Mackenzie. “We found that slow music improved milk yields perhaps because it relaxes the cows in much the way as it relaxes humans. Calming music can improve milk yield, probably because it reduces stress.”
Although they may be on our preferred playlists, dairy cows don’t like the rockin’ sounds of Jamiroquai, Supergrass, Wonderstuff, Mud or Mousse T vs. Hot N Juicy. They do, however, enjoy the sweet sounds of REM, Aretha Franklin and Lou Reed.
Curious, the researchers decided to test their theory on chickens. There is also evidence to suggest that certain music reduces stress in poultry, which allows them to produce more eggs.
The researchers are now seeking more funding to determine which sounds most influence milk yields, whether music can help other species, and whether or not the manipulation of certain factors, such as tempo, also affects productivity.
We wonder what music cows prefer during dinner. Perhaps a little Ella & Louis?
Dairy Cow Mix: Moosic for Milking
Everybody Hurts – REM
What a Difference a Day Makes – Aretha Franklin
Bridge over Troubled Waters – Simon & Garfunkel
Moon River – Danny Williams
Perfect Day – Lou Reed
Pastoral Symphony – Beethoven
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Melanie Epp is a freelance writer, amateur locavore, passionate foodie, novice gardener, and beginner triathlete. She writes about agriculture, real estate, and health & wellness. Visit her at melanieepp.com.
