Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Livestock Behavior Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412859
Research Project: Optimizing Welfare for Food Producing Animals

Location: Livestock Behavior Research

Title: Effect of different genres of music played in the milking parlor on lactation performance and behavior of dairy cows

Author
item PINKERTON, MADISON - The Ohio State University
item ENGLAND, ZACHARY - The Ohio State University
item WENNER, BENJAMIN - The Ohio State University
item Pempek, Jessica

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of music played in the milking parlor on behavior and milking parameters of dairy cows during the evening milking. Ninety-one lactating Jersey cows were introduced to one of five music treatments, including no music or classical, country, Latin, rock music genres, in the milking parlor over four 5-day periods in a switchback design. One music treatment was applied per day (afternoon milking only). The amount of milk harvested from the afternoon milking and milking duration were recorded for all cows, and average milk flow rate (milk harvested/milking duration) was calculated. Cow behavior at milking cluster attachment was video recorded and later assessed for a subset of cows (n = 38) by scoring flinch, step, and kick responses; the flinch, step, kick response was scored using a 4-point system based on the direction and height of hind leg movements. The amount of milk harvested increased by 0.5, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.2 kg when classical music was played compared to no music, country, Latin, and rock, respectively. The amount of milk harvested also increased by 0.3 kg per afternoon milking when country and rock versus no music was played in the parlor. Treatment did not influence milking duration, average milk flow rate, or cows’ flinch, step, kick responses during milking cluster attachment. This study indicates certain genres of music influenced afternoon milk yield, with classical music positively impacting the amount of milk harvested. Future research is needed to explore the possible influence of parlor music on aspects of human behavior and preference for particular music genres. Other aspects of animal behavior (e.g., temperament, total number of flinch, step, kick responses) should also be considered in future studies, as well as cows’ response to music in other farm environments.