Cows don’t like this kind of music: Scientists reveal fascinating data

Music has a profound impact on our lives, it also plays a role in shaping our moods, emotions, and even our productivity. But have you ever wondered how music affects animals? Recent studies have shown that cows, in particular, have a surprising preference when it comes to music. While some genres can soothe and relax them, others can have the opposite effect. This interesting discovery has led to an area of intrigue, of how music can influence animal behavior and well-being.
The impact of music on cows has got some serious attention as the recent studies have revealed that cows have distinct musical preferences, and surprisingly, country music is not on their list of favourites. In fact, listening to country music has been found to negatively affect their milk production.
A study emerging from researchers at the University of Leicester, Great Britain, investigated the effect of various music genres on the milk production of cows. It was found that cows liked slow and soothing music, such as classical tunes and soft rock. Many cows were drawn to songs, like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel and Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony." The other observation said that slow and soothing music in these songs produced relaxing effects on cows, thereby reducing the animals' stress levels and subsequently increasing milk production.

Conversely, the study found that fast-paced music, including country music, had the opposite effect. With country music, cows had a range of heartbeats and restlessness, which made them feel stressed and less milk was produced. Researchers think that the rhythm and tempo of country music must be too hard for cows to resonate well with, putting them on them to feel nervous and uncomfortable.
Further research by Kemp (2019) further found out, during his studies done on Jersey cows and Jersey×HF crosses. Physiological parameters, milk yields, and behaviours were monitored in the study on cows, under different music genres. It was seen that classical music and lullabies provided a soothing environment, while country music resulted in alertness and decreased the production of milk.

Most interestingly, music does affect cow behaviour, but it does not stop there. Moregaonkaret al. 's ,2006 study proved that exposure to Indian instrumental music improves milk production by a maximum of 12.64%. Rock music reduced milk production and raised lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in blood plasma of Donghai et al. (2018), who concluded that it induces physiological stress in cows.