Substitute for cow's milk?
OPINION: Scientists claim to have found a new way to make a substitute for cow's milk that could have a radical effect on the dairy industry.
A University of Pretoria (UP) study has shown that playing soothing classical music to dairy cows lowers their stress levels and increases their milk production.
The findings, which were published in the journal Domestic Animal Endocrinology, are the result of research by Lize-Mari Erasmus, a former member of UP's Camerata choir, who has a Master of Science (Msc) degree in Agriculture (Animal Science) cum laude from the university.
Erasmus's MSc studies allowed her to combine her two passions: music and animals.
Before embarking on a career in animal sciences, she had obtained a Bachelor of Music degree at UP, with Choral Conducting as one of her majors.
Hers is the first study of its kind in South Africa to investigate the influence of classical music on the stress levels and milk production of cows.
"The health and welfare of dairy cows go hand in hand with efficient and sustainable dairy production," she says about the value of providing farm animals with enriching environments.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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