Naming the Cow "Betsy" Produces More Milk

A very interesting and enlightening study was published in January 2009 that shows that naming cows actually increases the milk yield from these cows! Who knew Betsy the milk cow actually liked to be called Betsy!

The study took place at Newcastle University, and researchers are convinced that naming a cow will aid in her happiness and milk production. Increase milk production by just how much? According to these researchers, it could be by as much as 500 pints!

But this doesn't mean that you name each cow Betsy. The study showed that on farms where each and every cow had her own name, that is where the milk production was drastically higher than on farms where the cows did not have a personal name.

Why is this the case? It's all in the personal, loving touch! Just like you want to be called by your personal name, and just like the person using your personal name would use it because they love and cherish and want to show respect to you, cows apparently feel the same way. Dr. Douglass who works at Newcastle University made this statement: "Just as people respond better to the personal touch, cows also feel happier and more relaxed if they are given a bit more one-to-one attention."

Yes, by giving a cow a personal name and using it, thus treating her as precious, she comes to view humans as her friend and this in turn can aid in the milk production! It is believed that along with calling a cow by her personal name, it also engenders a display of respect and concern - yes, love. Cows should be treated like a regular part of the family, vital and important and loved.

Who hasn't owned a pet like a cat or dog and came to realize that it has it's own distinct and lovable personality? Well, it is the same with the cow and just about any animal out there. In fact, many farmers will agree that loving human contact with the cows on a regular basis is more likely to produce loving cows.

So come on, farmers - show a little love! Love comes at no cost to the one showing it, and definitely produces a hundred better things in return.