Cows Fitted With VR Goggles To Reduce Anxiety And Produce Better Milk

Virtual reality (VR) is now touching more than just human lives.

Cows are likely to produce better milk under improved environmental conditions, Moscow's Ministry of Agriculture and Food stated in a statement. Farmers at RusMoloko farm in Moscow's Ramensky district are now testing VR goggles on their cows as a tool to reduce their anxiety, thereby uplifting the quality and quantity of the milk yielded.

"Examples of dairy farms from different countries show that in a calm atmosphere, the quantity, and sometimes the quality, of milk increases markedly," the statement read.

Photos published on Monday by the Ministry showed the cows wearing VR goggles, similar to human versions to accommodate the different head shapes and eyesights of cows in this "unique summer field simulation program". The VR glasses for cows were developed in collaboration with veterinarians and dairy production consultants.

The VR glasses reportedly lifted "the overall emotional mood of the herd." However, further investigations will be needed to determine whether they had a role to play in milk production. Researchers will also examine the long-term effectiveness of the glasses.

Dairy farms have also experimented with classical music and mood lighting to attend to the emotional state of the cows. A Bosnian farmer had earlier said that he allowed the cows in his barn to sleep on mattresses fitted with a computerized air-conditioning and lighting. The cows were bathed every day and would get occasional massage and pedicure to help produce better milk.