Impact of Music Played in an Automatic Milking System on Cows’ Milk Yield and Behavior—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Practical experience suggests that music can have a positive effect on the welfare of dairy cows, which for some other animal species has been shown in earlier studies. Music could, furthermore, be a useful tool to support, for example, daily milking routines. In this pilot study we explored effects of music inside an automatic milking system (AMS) on cows’ milk yield and behavior. The experiment was conducted on a Finnish dairy farm with 56 cows in loose housing. Over two 2-day periods without and with selected music pieces played inside the AMS, data on daily milk yield (DMY), selection gate passing frequency (GP), milking frequency (MF), and milking interval (MI) were recorded. For analyses, data of 17 Holstein-Friesian cows were used. At cow level, mean values over repeated measurements without and with music were calculated, and analyzed by paired t-tests (DMY, MF) or Wilcoxon tests (MI, GP). During intervals with music versus without, cows passed the selection gate more often (15.8 versus 13.8) and had higher MF (3.0 vs. 2.8). No differences were found in MI (07:49:21 vs. 08:37:38) and DMY (36.5 vs. 37.0). The latter might be explained by a ceiling effect. Overall, the results suggest that the investigated sample of cows perceived the selected music as attractive and that playing music might be a practical tool to reduce necessary efforts of driving cows to milking.

Managed music improves the behavior and leukocyte population of dairy cattle.

“…A study composed of periods with music and without music in dairy cattle, conducted by Uetake et al [12] found that on days with music the number of cows in the waiting area increased signi cantly compared to days without music. Likewise, Lemcke et al [8] investigated the voluntary entry of dairy cattle into the milking room when using music in these areas. They report that the frequency with which cows passed the milking room was signi cant higher during periods with music compared to periods without music.…”

“…The selection of musical pieces is based on those used by Lemcke et al [8]. The 36 songs chosen have a tempo of less than 100 bpm and are from different musical genres.…”

The Impact of Music on Milk Production and Behaviour of Dairy Cattle

“…Such an effect can also be seen in dairy cattle, as music can ease them, thus increasing their welfare and milk production (Lemcke et al, 2021). Dairy cattle consider music exciting, which could result in their voluntary movement towards automatic milking systems (AMS) without much coercion (Lemcke et al, 2021).…”

“…Such an effect can also be seen in dairy cattle, as music can ease them, thus increasing their welfare and milk production (Lemcke et al, 2021). Dairy cattle consider music exciting, which could result in their voluntary movement towards automatic milking systems (AMS) without much coercion (Lemcke et al, 2021). In a recent study, cattle demonstrated most physical signs of relaxation, such as chewing the cud and lowering the eyelids, indicating they were pleased with the slow music (Kemp, 2020).…”

“…While some music genres have a soothing effect, which can reduce stress in dairy cattle and increase their milk supply, others have a numbing effect that could increase the cows' tension and reduce the milk supply (Donghai et al, 2018;Ganesh, 2020). Some studies found that music had no effect on milk production, although the cows demonstrated relaxed behaviours when some form of music was played (Kemp, 2020;Lemcke et al, 2021).…”