Cows in Russia fitted with virtual reality headsets in order to help them relax and stimulate milk production

Cows in Russia are being fitted with virtual reality headsets (VR) to help reduce anxiety and stimulate milk production.

Moscow's Ministry of Agriculture and Food said in a statement that the experiment has seen VR developers and veterinarians work together to adapt a headset to perfectly fit a cow's head.

The ministry said the sets of virtual reality goggles, modified for the shape of cow heads and displaying a “unique summer field simulation program,” were placed on cows.

The experiment found a link between the use of VR and "a decrease in anxiety and an increase in the overall emotional mood of the herd".

The experiments took place at the RusMoloko farm in Moscow's Ramensky district.

Also, the ministry cited research which they say has shown a link between a cow's emotional experience and its milk yield.

"Examples of dairy farms from different countries show that in a calm atmosphere, the quantity, and sometimes the quality, of milk increases markedly," it read.

Scientists and veterinarians admitted that the first sessions with VR have good results. Cows are less anxious, and probably they enjoy grazing the fields of virtual reality.

Cows in Russia fitted with virtual reality headsets in order to help them relax and stimulate milk production

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