University have found that naming cows and treating them as
individuals can help to significantly increase their milk production.
According to Dr. Catherine Douglas, “Just as people respond better
to the personal touch, cows also feel happier and more relaxed if
given one-to-one attention.”
In their study involving 516 dairy farmers in Britain, the researchers
looked at interaction between people and cows, and found that those
animals with names had an average higher milk yield of 258 litres.
The study also found milk yield to be lower on farms where cattle were
herded as a group.
Dr. Douglas said: “Our data suggests that on the whole United Kingdom
dairy farmers regard their cows as intelligent beings capable of
experiencing a range of emotions.”