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Lucky, a seven-year-old dairy cow, had been walking with a limp forseveral weeks when veterinarian Sara Gilbertson was called. Insteadof prescribing painkillers, Gilbertson tried an unusual newtherapy: a chiropractic adjustment that included a full-lengthspinal massage. Gilbertson rubbed the Holstein's spine by gently squeezing it fromneck to tail, pausing to apply firm pressure to one hip andreadjust several vertebrae. The cow stood in calm silence, movingonly enough to reach another mouthful of hay. Later, as Luckyreclined on a bed of sand, Gilbertson noted with satisfaction howrelaxed and comfortable the animal seemed. Cow comfort has become a key concern for farmers, who have knownfor generations that contented cows give more milk. The traditional techniques for keeping cows happy aren'tcomplicated: feed them well, keep the temperature comfortable andgive them room to move around. But some dairy farmers are turningto 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 onwhile others play classical music. And some hire animalchiropractors to give older cows a tuneup and correct minor issuesin calves, all part of the effort to ensure maximum milk output. Not scientifically proven Do the methods really work? There's no sound scientific data toback up the claims, but dairy farmers say they can see thedifference with their own eyes: cows are giving more milk, the milkquality is improving and the herds seem to be enjoying theindulgences. "It's kind of like how an athlete with a sprained ankle isn't asproductive," said Larry Meyer, 36, whose parents own the dairy farmin Chilton, Wis., where Lucky and another 115 dairy cows live. "Ifyou can get a cow healthy and back to normal, it makes a differencein their productivity." Cows can suffer injuries if they slip on a slick spot of concreteor get stepped on by another 1,500-pound bovine, and some calvesget their necks kinked during the birthing process. The injuriescan cause pain when the animals stand, making them reluctant tojostle for food and leading to compensatory injuries. That, inturn, leads to less milk production. That's why farmers are willing to spend about $75 per session for achiropractic adjustment. "The cows tolerate it incredibly well," said Gilbertson, theveterinarian. "They may be apprehensive at first, until they figureout how good it feels." Meyer didn't have specific figures on how much milk Lucky gavefollowing her chiropractic treatments, but because her mother wasthe most productive cow in the herd, he wanted to make sure Luckywas in good shape. $70K waterbeds While chiropractic care is reserved for injured cows, dairy farmersalso are investing in healthy cows' happiness. 'They were real skeptical at first, because it was real jiggly, butonce they adapted, they didn't look back. They just jump on andstay there.' Richard Conrad, Ohio dairy farmer Richard Conrad installed $70,000 US waterbeds on his farm inGrafton, Ohio, about a year ago. It took the 220 dairy cows a fewmonths to adjust to the softer surface but now they seem to enjoyit, he said. "They were real skeptical at first because it was real jiggly,"said Conrad, 53, "but once they adapted, they didn't look back.They just jump on and stay there." The result has been milk with fewer impurities and in greatervolume cows that used to give about 36 kilograms of milk per daynow average about 41 kg, Conrad said. However, he couldn't creditthe waterbeds with all the improvement; he also upgradedventilation in his barns and installed misting technology to keepthe herd cool. Dairy farmers commonly adjust air, temperature and lighting to keepcows happy. Some have also installed large rotating brushes thatgently scratch the cows' backs and massage their faces andshoulders, said Marcia Endres, a University of Minnesota Extensiondairy scientist. Mozart-enhanced milk And some dairy producers have employed even more unusualtechniques, even in absence of scientific data that justifies theiruse. In Germany, for example, the Dortmund Concert Hall playsrecordings of different classical pieces for specific cows. The hall then serves milk from the respective cows during liveconcerts featuring those same pieces. "Which means you'll now be able to both listen to and taste themusical highlights," the hall says in one advertisement. Dairy experts agree the concept is entertaining if a bit of alogical stretch. They also agree that dairy farmers need to becareful about introducing new techniques music, waterbeds,chiropractic care into a herd that's already relativelycomfortable. "Cows are creatures of habit. They like things to stay the same,"Endres said. "So, many producers like to not introduce too muchchange. Cows just don't like a lot of weird things happening tothem.". I am an expert from hotel-door-locks.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Monitored Burglar Alarms Manufacturer , China Electronic Hotel Door Locks, Door Exit Button,and more.
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