Dairies pamper their cows with massages, waterbeds

Veterinarian Sara Gilbertson performs a chiropractic adjustment on a dairy cow in Cleveland, Wis., May 16, 2012. While there is no scientific data to back up the claims, dairy farmers say they believe contented cows give more milk, and are turning to creative tactics to keep their cows comfortable, from waterbeds to rest on, to classical music in the barn and the occasional massage. / AP Photo/Dinesh Ramde

(AP) CHILTON, Wis. - Lucky, a 7-year-old dairy cow, had been walking with a limp for several weeks when veterinarian Sara Gilbertson was called. Instead of prescribing painkillers, Gilbertson tried an unusual new therapy — a chiropractic adjustment that included a full-length spinal massage.

Gilbertson rubbed the Holstein's spine by gently squeezing it from neck to tail, pausing to apply firm pressure to one hip and readjust several vertebrae. The cow stood in calm silence, moving only enough to reach another mouthful of hay. Later, as Lucky reclined on a bed of sand, Gilbertson noted with satisfaction how relaxed and comfortable the animal seemed.

Cow comfort has become a key concern for the nation's farmers, who have known for generations that contented cows give more milk. The traditional techniques for keeping cows happy aren't complicated — feed them well, keep the temperature comfortable and give them room to move around. But some dairy farmers are turning to a new array of creative options intended to keep cows as mellow — and productive — as possible.

Some farmers have installed waterbeds for their cows to rest on, while others play classical music. And some hire animal chiropractors to give older cows a tuneup and correct minor issues in calves, all part of the effort to ensure maximum milk output.

Do the methods really work? There's no sound scientific data to back up the claims, but dairy farmers say they can see the difference with their own eyes — cows are giving more milk, the milk quality is improving and the herds seem to be enjoying the indulgences.

"It's kind of like how an athlete with a sprained ankle isn't as productive," said Larry Meyer, 36, whose parents own the dairy farm in Chilton, Wis., where Lucky and another 115 dairy cows live. "If you can get a cow healthy and back to normal, it makes a difference in their productivity."

Veterinarian Sara Gilbertson performs a chiropractic adjustment on a dairy cow in Cleveland, Wis., May 16, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Dinesh Ramde

Cows can suffer injuries if they slip on a slick spot of concrete or get stepped on by another 1,500-pound bovine, and some calves get their necks kinked during the birthing process. The injuries can cause pain when the animals stand, making them reluctant to jostle for food and leading to compensatory injuries. That, in turn, leads to less milk production.

That's why farmers are willing to spend about $75 per session for a chiropractic adjustment.

"The cows tolerate it incredibly well," said Gilbertson, the veterinarian. "They may be apprehensive at first, until they figure out how good it feels."

Meyer didn't have specific figures on how much milk Lucky gave following her chiropractic treatments, but because her mother was the most productive cow in the herd, he wanted to make sure Lucky was in good shape.

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[foo8259]

Cow comfort is also very important in India :) I know my beef calves like piped in music, but not the radio -- they hate those loud commercials!

[NinthSt78]

What does a cow do on a waterbed?

[lillyhorton]

They did this in Japan. They fed their cow saki and gave them massages. It keeps them relaxed so they don't release stress hormones and the meat supposedly tastes great.

[mryoubrian]

When I was a teen in the 80s, my cousin did a project for school where he wired a stereo system in the barn where they milked 90 head of cattle twice a day.

It does work to increase the milk production by as much as 20 %. Although he found that country music produced the most, classical music the second most and heavy metal actually decreased production.

[macbeth76]

I've read that classical or soft music- namely Simon and Garfunkel produce 3% more milk. My guys play country in the barn- I don't see much difference- but I still turn it on the classical station at night before I leave the barn. Funny thing is- the first thing the guys do in the morning is change the station!

[msay3]

It is so nice to see these animals being treated properly!! I have seen so many disgusting videos showing cruel and inhumane treatment of dairy livestock, it is really heart warming....

[macbeth76]

Small and mid size family farms do stuff like this- thousand plus cow factory farms don't- they just hire migrants to do all the milking. I wish there could be a way to label where and what size farm the milk comes from.

[hypnotoad72]

It's the other extreme, but with everything I've read regarding such cruelty...

macbeth76 - why not hire migrants? Especially behind 'closed doors'?

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/hiring-illegal-immigrants.html
(there aren't many ways to bypass 'law of supply and demand' and profiteer from it, but when you can do it, go for it... prosperity is good, and the workers are just costs anyhow. )

Now fathom the irony in treating animals far better than we treat our own.