Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-03-11
Butte Duirymon Finds Music
Outlets CoWs, Increases Milk

Music-that lifting art that
"hath charms to Soothe the saw
age breast has added the do
mestic milk COW to its coterie of
enchanted followers, and lulled
by the soft strains of song, at least
one herd of bovines in Butte is
producing "contented" milk. The
cows-30 in number-are owned
by L. R. Richardson of the Mari
gold Dairy in Butte, and two years
of experience with radio music
has not only taught Mr.. Richard
son that his cows like music but it
has shown him Just what kind of
melody charms the cattle.
But alas for the long-haired pro-
ponents Of classical harmony, the cows
definitely do not appreciate the music
of the maSterS-claSsical music is
N. G.. But that comes later.
Radio-equipped milking houses pro-
vide the soothing atmosphere. Music
is provided not only during milking
hours, but the gentle flow Of song Is
waited to the ears of the cows every
bA1Cy d4C dO lCCO III bllG
The experiment-and Richardson is
convinced it is an experiment proved
uccesSful-began about two years ago
when he hit upon the idea of radios
to soothe and calm his cows. For sew
eral years he had been experimenting
In an effort to obtain the best quality
Of milk, and he came to the conclusion
that music would truly have charms,
to soothe the beast.
Excitement Spells Milk
"a COW is, after all, a factory for
producing milk and her brain controls
that factory" he points out very logic
ally. I'VE believe that if a COW gets
excited or nervous, 1t changes the
radio Idea and 1t has proved successful.
Music lullls them into comfort, provides
4 soothing atmosphere and makes them
less excitable"
Richardson, having two milking
barns for his cows, has placed a radio |
IN each barn, hooked them UP and
tuned them in to provide music for
he cows. Two years have produced re-
;ults. He points out that he has several
COWS who previously were extremely |
and given to kicking and jump !
ng when strangers approached or loud !
noises distracted them.
And he explains, patting one Of the
COWS hard enough to make her aware |
Of his presence, "since we've put in |
'adios, they've all become much calmer |
and quieter and aren't nervous at all"
The radios are giving music at all |
lines the cows are giving milk. When |
he cows are brought into the milking |
houses at 5 o'clock in the morning for |
the morning milking, the radios are
.uned In to any station that provides
gentle music. The radios are in use /
the day, then, until II |
o'clock at night when the COWS are |
,urned out for the night.
Classical Music Taboo
And, strangely enough, classical |
music is taboo with the gentle milk |
,ows. AS Richardson points out, 81
late to admit 1t, but they don't seem |
20 care for classical music Qovers of |
hey prefer songs that are fast. yet /
oft"
Upon the basis Of experiments with
types of music, Richardson
md his staff have found the COWS are
more contented and calmer when the
adios are producing fast and gentle
ones of reels, old-time music and folk
ings. Popular music, too, Is an antidote
or iittery bovine nerves, provided, Of
curse, the brass lSnL TOO neaVy. Inc
fleet Of Ferdinand, the Bull" has not
,een catalogued scientifically.
But, like classical music and strains
# the old masters, Swing" is out.
Seriously, the effects of music have
,een highly successful in improving
he attitude and nerves Of the Richard
on COWS, and all those factors like
vise have improved the quality of the
milk. Richardson thinks SO highly of
he radio experiment that he has four
adios on hand at all times-two in
se and two more ready to be plugged
q at a moments notice If the others
iscord or 60 out of commission.
One OF Many Experiments
The radio system is only one Of many
experiments tried by Richardson, who
ecame a dairyman by accident about
We years ago. At that time, he was
miner. but when he became mem-
loved he immediately turned his mind