INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightMoscow Ministry of Agriculture and FoodImage caption
The headsets were specially adapted to fit cow
heads
A Russian farm has given its dairy cows virtual reality headsets in a bid to reduce their anxiety.The herd donned VR
systems adapted for the "structural features of cow heads" and were shown a "unique summer field simulation program".Moscow's Ministry of
Agriculture and Food cited research which they say has shown a link between a cow's emotional experience and its milk yield.Initial tests
reportedly boosted "the overall emotional mood of the herd".According to a statement from the ministry, the experiments took place at the
RusMoloko farm in Moscow's Ramensky district."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.Researchers will examine the effects of the programme in a long-term study
The developers reportedly hope to expand the project if positive results continue.Media playback is unsupported on your deviceMedia
captionHow a "virtual reality" system for mice is being used to investigate brain function
