A farmer on a Moscow-area farm tests out special VR sets - Photo Courtesy: Moscow Ministry of Agriculture and Food

By Lara Fominoff

VR Cows

Russian producer tests Virtual Reality sets for cows in attempt to increase milk production

Nov 27, 2019 | 11:08 AM

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Russian milk producers are testing some new technology to try and solve an increasing problem: declining milk production.

According to a news release from the Moscow Ministry of Agriculture dated Nov. 25, a local farmer has not only begun using Virtual Reality (VR) but also paying more attention to his animal’s emotional states and needs.

According to several examples from different countries, researchers have found that when milk producing herds are kept in a calm state, the quality of the milk and the quantity increases significantly.

A variety of techniques have so far been employed around the world, in order to try and stimulate milk production. In the U.S., farmers install rotating brushes as types of “massaging” tools for cows, while in Europe, robotic systems ensure the cows move around farms on a regular basis. Some farmers in the Moscow area have begun broadcasting classical music in an effort to calm their herds.

The developers of the new VR system, in consultation with the farmer, local veterinarians and other consultants, adapted human glasses-taking into consideration structural features of a cow’s head, what is known about their vision and their colour spectrum to come up with a summer field simulation program.

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According to the news release, “During the first test, experts recorded a decrease in anxiety and an increase in the overall emotional mood of the herd. The impact of VR glasses on the milk production of cows will be shown by a further comprehensive study. While maintaining the positive dynamics of observations, the developers intend to scale the project and modernize the domestic sphere of dairy production.”

The results of the VR testing, along with the methodology, will be released at the VI International Agro-Industry Dairy Forum.