Is this the new frontier in farming? I was listening to a podcast recently about how the digital world is so rapidly expanding, and VR goggles on cows was given as a slightly outrageous example of this. It doesn’t appear this practice has been widely adopted, but has only been tested on a few farms in Russia and Turkey, but read on for more background on this seemingly outlandish idea!
The idea behind using VR goggles on cows is to create a more stimulating environment for them. Cows are naturally grazing animals, but unfortunately many spend most of their time indoors for most of the year, which can lead to boredom and stress. VR goggles can be used to show cows images of green pastures and other natural scenery, which can help to reduce stress and improve their overall well-being.
There is some evidence to suggest that VR goggles can also improve the productivity of dairy cows. A study conducted in Russia found that cows that wore VR goggles produced more milk than cows that did not. The researchers believe that the VR goggles helped to reduce stress and increase the cows’ appetites.
Here are some of the potential benefits of using VR goggles on cows:
- Reduced stress: VR can help to reduce stress in cows by simulating a more natural environment for them. This can lead to improved health and productivity.
- Increased milk production: VR can help to increase milk production by reducing stress and improving the cow’s overall well-being.
- Improved welfare: VR can help to improve the welfare of cows by giving them a more stimulating environment. This can lead to happier and healthier cows.
Here are some of the challenges associated with using VR goggles on cows:
- Durability
- Cost
- Headsets could be uncomfortable or harmful
- Cows could become too attached to the VR world
It is important to note that there is no consensus on the safety and efficacy of VR for cows. More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of VR on cow health and welfare.
Personally, I don’t see much of a future for VR on cows, however I think other developments in AgTech as pictured below in The Connected Cow are quite fascinating!
Do you think there’s a promising future in AgTech? Let me know in the comments!
*post created with the assistance of Bard
The Planking Traveler 