Glacier County chief., 1939-03-10
Butte Dairyman Finds Music
Quiets CoUs, Increases Milk

Music-that lifting art that
"hath charms to soothe the saw
age breast"-has added the do
nestle 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
minute they are at rest in the barns.
The eXperiment-and Richardson is
convinced 1t 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 Spoils Milk
"a COW is. after all. a factory for
producing milk and her brain controls
that factory" he points out very logic
ally. we believe that if a COW gets
excited or nervous, it changes the
quality of her milk. we hit upon the
radio idea and it has proved successful
Music lulls them into comfort. provides
a soothing atmosphere and makes them
less eXcitable.''
Richardson, having two milking
barns for his cows, has placed a radio
m each barn, hooked them up and
tuned them in to provide music for
the COWS. Two years have produced re-
suits. He points out that he has several
COWS who previously were extremely
nervous and given to kicking and Jump
ing 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
radios, they've all become much calmer
and quieter and aren't nervous at all"
The radios are giving music at all
times the cows are giving milk When
the cows are brought into the milking
houses at O'Clock in the morning for
the morning milking. the radios are
tuned in to any station that provides
gentle music. The radios are in use
throughout the day, then, until II
o'clock at night when the cows are
turned out for the night.
Classical Music Taboo
And, strangely enough, classical
music is taboo with the gentle milk
COWS. As Richardson points out, 81
to care for classical music Qovers of
Chopin and List, please note) but
soft"
Upon the basis of experiments with
different types of music, Richardson
and his staff have found the cows are
more contented and calmer when the
radios are producing fast and gentle
tones Of reels, old-time music and folk
sings. Popular music, too, is an antidote
for Jittery bovine nerves, provided. of
course, the brass isn't too heavy. The
effect of Ferdinand, the Bull" has not
been catalogued scientifically
But, like classical music and strains
Of the old masters, swing" is out.
Seriously. the effects of music have
been highly successful in improving
the attitude and nerves of the Richard
son COWS, and all those factors like
wise have improved the quality of the
milk. Richardson thinks so highly of
the radio experiment that he has four
radios on hand at all times-two in |
use and two more ready to be plugged |
in at moments notice if the others |
diScord or go out of commission
One of Many Experiments
The radio system is only one of many |
experiments tried by Richardson, who |
became a dairyman by accident about |
five years ago. At that time, he was !
miner. but when he became unem- |
ployed he Immediately turned his mind /
to other fields. He noticed. he points |
cut. that all milk seemed to have a |
different flavor. SO to find out the !
reason. he bought a Jersey COW. From |
that single COW, his herd of 80 was
built.
He now has a mixed herd. composed |
of Jerseys, Guernseys, Holsteins, Brown |
Swiss and Shorthorns, because he be-
lieves that each COW produces a differ /
ent type of milk and a mixed herd !
will enable him to keep the milk grade |
standard at all times That solution |