Russian cows wear virtual reality headsets to reduce stress

Doing so yields more and better milk

Have you ever seen a cow with glasses on? Exactly, neither have we. In fact, it sounds pretty unbelievable, but this is a reality in Russia. There, a few farmers put virtual reality glasses on their dairy cows, hoping that the cows experience less stress and thereby produce more and better milk.

Virtual reality cows

Farmers in Russia are currently experimenting with virtual reality headsets for their dairy cows. The idea behind this? Virtual reality could ensure that the cows experience less stress and therefore produce more and better quality milk. A team of product developers designed special virtual reality headsets for cows that are specifically tailored to the head of a cow. What do the cows see through the glasses, you might ask? A beautifully flowering meadow under the bright summer sun. A cow’s paradise!

More research

Currently, it is still unclear whether virtual reality headsets have actually increased milk production. This requires more research. However,  an initial test showed that the cows with VR headsets experienced less stress than cows that did not wear virtual reality gear. Russian farmers aren’t the only ones trying to increase milk production by turning their cows into “happy cows.” Some Japanese farmers use so-called “mood lights” to keep their cows calm and satisfied. And in the United States some cattle even gets to hear music on the farm.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality is a computer technology that lets you experience a completely different reality through special glasses. This technique has been used in video games for a while, but VR is no longer intended solely for entertainment. The technology is used in industries that you would never expect, such as other areas of agriculture, healthcare or the service sector.

Source: CNN | Image: Videostill

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