Not only Man, Animal also Needs A Name

Posted on Apr. 14, 2010 at 09.32 PM - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Drs Catherine Douglas and Peter Rowlinson from Newcastle University have shown that by giving a cow a name and treating her as an individual, farmers can increase their annual milk yield by almost 500 pints.

I know it's gonna make you laugh for a while and... eventually think ...

“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,” explains Dr Douglas, who works in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at Newcastle University.

“By placing more importance on the individual, such as calling a cow by her name or interacting with the animal more as it grows up, we can not only improve the animal's welfare and her perception of humans, but also increase milk production."

One of my friend told me that it reminded him of old days pictures, when farmer had chit chat with his cow Betsy during morning milking. Now he knows why :)

For their achievement, Drs Catherine Douglas and Peter Rowlinson have been awarded with 2009 Ig® Nobel Prize. Ig® Nobel Prize is a parody version of Nobel Prize, where ten real achievements in research are meant to “first make people laugh, and then make them think”.

Life is beautiful! Let's make it meaningful and colorful!