Cattle Studies

Highlighted below are some of the most significant studies carried out into cattle charateristics, behavior and welfare

Cattle Flight Zone
Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is probably the most influential researcher into cattle welfare. In particular she introduced the concept of the Cattle Flight Zone which has been fundamental in the shift to gentle handling. https://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/flight.zone.html

Reading Cattle Emotions
de Oliveira & Keeling

Research into the emotional lives of cows is still relatively small. One challenge is how to recognize what cows are feeling. Oliveira and Keeling have done key research into understanding cows emotions from their body language.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29718937/

worm's-eye view photography of concrete building
worm's-eye view photography of concrete building
Cow Psychology
Mariono & Allen

Marion & Allen conducted an extensive review of research into cattle psychology. They highlighted the fact that cows have much more sophisticated intelligence and emotional lives had commonly believed. In particular they emphasize that cows

  • can tell the difference between people, other cows and objects

  • retain a negative reaction to objects associated with negative experiences

  • enjoy learning

  • have distinct personalities

  • can learn from each other

https://www.animalbehaviorandcognition.org/uploads/journals/17/AB&C_2017_Vol4(4)_Marino_Allen.pdf

Cows prefer direct contact with humans
Lange et al

Lange et al found that cows are actually more relaxed when spoken to directly by a live human rather than a recording becoming more relaxed.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33178082/

Cows will seek out positive treatment by humans
Bertenshaw & Rowlinson

Bertenshaw and Rowlinson found that even 5 minutes a week of positive human attention can make a big difference. Cows became less fearful and more likely to seek further human interaction

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=jrdwPCoAAAAJ&citation_for_view=jrdwPCoAAAAJ:qjMakFHDy7sC

Cows can be trained using positive reinforcement.
Heinsius, J.L. et al

Training heifers using PRT increased anticipatory and play behavior during a waiting period before gaining access to a training session. These results suggest that PRT training can improve emotional states during what might otherwise be aversive events on farm.

https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(23)00664-1/fulltext