Home / Regular Issue / JTAS Vol. 46 (2) May. 2023 / JTAS-2560-2022

 

The Impact of Music on Milk Production and Behaviour of Dairy Cattle

Nurul Nabilah Shamshul Kamar and Nur Nadiah Md Yusof

Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 46, Issue 2, May 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjtas.46.2.02

Keywords: Behaviour, dairy cattle, milk yield, music, parity

Published on: 16 May 2023

The influence of music on the milk performance of dairy cattle has been increasingly studied in recent years, although its efficacy is still being debated due to the inconsistent outcomes and a limited number of studies. This study aimed to investigate the impact of music on the milk production and behaviour of 24 lactating Jersey cattle, consisting of 10 primiparous and 14 multiparous cows. The experiment involved milk collection and behavioural observation before and after exposure to music at a dairy farm in Sitiawan, Perak. The results indicate that music and parity significantly affect the milk yield produced by a cow at p < 0.05. The cows produced significantly less milk after being exposed to music, while multiparous cows recorded significantly higher milk yields than primiparous cows. In terms of the observed behaviour, the cows displayed a significantly higher proportion of feeding and ruminating when no music was played. On the other hand, multiparous cows displayed a significantly lower proportion of feeding and ruminating, and a higher proportion of standing compared to primiparous cows. However, no significant effects of parity and music were observed in walking and lying behaviour. To conclude, music did not improve the milk yield of Jersey dairy cows in this study. Due to the inconsistencies in the outcomes of many studies related to the effect of music on milk yield, more long-term research should be conducted by considering factors that might influence milk yields, such as parity, breed, housing environment, and music selection.

  • Alworth, L. C., & Buerkle, S. C. (2013). The effects of music on animal physiology, behavior and welfare. Lab Animal, 42, 54-61. https://doi.org/10.1038/laban.162

  • Aman, A. S. (2021, April 3). Dutch Lady to boost milk output. New Strait Times. https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021/04/679266/dutch-lady-boost-milk-output

  • Arnold, N. A., Ng, K. T., Jongman, E. C., & Hemsworth, P. H. (2007). The behavioural and physiological responses of dairy heifers to tape-recorded milking facility noise with and without a pre-treatment adaptation phase. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 106(1-3), 13-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.07.004

  • Bach, A., Iglesias, C., Devant, M., & Ràfols, N. (2006). Performance and feeding behavior of primiparous cows loose housed alone or together with multiparous cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 89(1), 337–342. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72099-9

  • Beauchemin, K. A. (2018). Invited review: Current perspectives on eating and rumination activity in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(6), 4762-4784. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13706

  • Bowman, A., Scottish, S. P. C. A., Dowell, F. J., & Evans, N. P. (2017). ‘The effect of different genres of music on the stress levels of kennelled dogs’. Physiology and Behavior, 171, 207-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.01.024

  • Cabaral, N., Untalan, H., & Rieta, P. G. (2017). Type of music on the growth and laying performance, behaviour and marketability of quails. Open Science Journal, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.23954/osj.v2i4.1089

  • Ciborowska, P., Michalczuk, M., & Bień, D. (2021). The effect of music on livestock: Cattle, poultry and pigs. Animals, 11(12), 3572. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123572

  • Crouch, K., Evans, B., & Montrose, V. T. (2019, March 9-11). The effect of auditory enrichment on the behaviour of dairy cows (Bos taurus) [Paper presentation]. British Society of Animal Science Annual Conference 2019, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. https://hartpury.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/the-effects-of-auditory enrichment-on-the-behaviour-of-dairy-cows

  • Dağli, E., & Çelik, N. (2022). The effect of oxytocin massage and music on breast milk production and anxiety level of the mothers of premature infants who are in the neonatal intensive care unit: A self-controlled trial. Health Care for Women International, 43(5), 465-478. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2021.1947286

  • Dhungana, S., Khanal, D. R., Sharma, M., Bhattarai, N., Tamang, D. T., Wasti, S., & Acharya, R. C. (2018). Effect of music on animal behavior: A review. Nepalese Veterinary Journal, 35, 142-149. https://doi.org/10.3126/nvj.v35i0.25251

  • Donghai, W., Xiaoyan, M., Yufei, W., Chenglong, L., & Xiong, Y. (2018). Effects of latin, rock and African percussion music on protein and energy metabolism in cow. Meteorological and Environmental Research, 9(2), 87-90. https://doi.org/10.19547/j.issn2152-3940.2018.02.021

  • Faghiri, H., Yusop, Z., Krauss, S. E., Othman, M. H., & Mohamed, Z. (2019). Factors influencing the dairy industry development and milk production level in Malaysia: A hybrid approach of coding and theme development. International Journal of Modern Trends in Business Research, 2(10), 34-51.

  • Ganesh, J. S. (2020). Impact of carnatic raga-s on the milk yield of cows. Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities, 8(2), 83-87. https://doi.org/10.34293/sijash.v8i2.3318

  • Hart, K. D., McBride, B. W., Duffield, T. F., & DeVries, T. J. (2013). Effect of milking frequency on the behavior and productivity of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(11), 6973-6985. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-6764

  • Jayamala, A. K., Lakshmanagowda, P. B., Pradeep, G. C. M., & Goturu, J. (2015). Impact of music therapy on breast milk secretion in mothers of premature newborns. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 9(4), CC04-CC06. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2015/11642.5776

  • Katili, T. E. P. S., WardihanSinrang, A., & Ahmad, M. (2021). Literature review: Effect of breast care and classical music therapy on breast milk production. Natural Volatiles and Essential Oils, 8(4), 15021-15031.

  • Kemp, A. (2020). The effects of music on dairy production [Honors’ thesis, Murray State University]. Murray State’s Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/honorstheses/41

  • Kikelomo, A. M. (2016). Preliminary physico-chemical investigation of local binding agents in mineral salt licks production for ruminants. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 1(4), 997-1003. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijeab/1.4.52

  • Kochewad, S. A., Gaur, G. K., Maurya, V. P., Bharti, P. K., Sahoo, N. R., Pandey, H. O., Singh, M., & Verma, M. R. (2022). Effect of milking environment enrichment through music on production performance and behaviour in cattle. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 54, 219. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03217-4

  • Kriengwatana, B. P., Mott, R., & ten Cate, C. (2022). Music for animal welfare: A critical review and conceptual framework. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 251, 105641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105641

  • Lemcke, M. C., Ebinghaus, A., & Knierim, U. (2021). Impact of music played in an automatic milking system on cows’ milk yield and behavior — A pilot study. Dairy, 2(1), 73-78. https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy2010007

  • Li, X., Zhao, J. N., Zhao, P., Zhang, X., Bi, Y. J., Li, J. H., Liu, H. G., Wang, C., & Bao, J. (2019). Behavioural responses of piglets to different types of music. Animal, 13(10), 2319-2326. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1751731119000260

  • Liu, J., Xu, C., Li, C., Zhang, B., Wang, Z., Wang, C., & Yu, X. (2017). Effects of different types of music on lactation and antioxidant capacity of dairy cows. China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, 44(5), 1388-1392. https://doi.org/10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2017.05.019

  • Llonch, P., Mainau, E., Ipharraguerre, I. R., Bargo, F., Tedó, G., Blanch, M., & Manteca, X. (2018). Chicken or the egg: The reciprocal association between feeding behavior and animal welfare and their impact on productivity in dairy cows. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5, 305. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00305

  • Lovarelli, D., Tamburini, A., Mattachini, G., Zucali, M., Riva, E., Provolo, G., & Guarino, M. (2020). Relating lying behavior with climate, body condition score, and milk production in dairy cows. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 565415. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.565415

  • Ma, X., & Wang, D. (2020). Light music on milk production and blood hormone level of dairy cows. Revista Científica de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, 30(5), 2677-2688.

  • Maekawa, M., Beauchemin, K. A., & Christensen, D. A. (2002). Chewing activity, saliva production, and ruminal pH of primiparous and multiparous lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 85(5), 1176–1182. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(02)74180-5

  • McDowell, L. R. (2002). Recent advances in minerals and vitamins on nutrition of lactating cows. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 1(1), 8-19. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2002.8.19

  • Meikle, A., Kulcsar, M., Chilliard, Y., Febel, H., Delavaud, C., Cavestany, D., & Chilibroste, P. (2004). Effects of parity and body condition at parturition on endocrine and reproductive parameters of the cow. Reproduction, 127(6), 727-737. https://doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.00080

  • Mikuła, R., Pszczola, M., Rzewuska, K., Mucha, S., Nowak, W., & Strabel, T. (2022). The effect of rumination time on milk performance and methane emission of dairy cows fed partial mixed ration based on maize silage. Animals, 12(1). 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12010050

  • Morales-Piñeyrúa, J. T., Damián, J. P., Banchero, G., Blache, D., & Sant’Anna, A. C. (2022). Metabolic profile and productivity of dairy Holstein cows milked by a pasture-based automatic milking system during early lactation: Effects of cow temperament and parity. Research in Veterinary Science, 147, 50-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.04.001

  • Mutiasari, D. N., Akhdiat, T., Permana, H., & Widjaja, N. (2018). Pengaruh musik terhadap peforma sapi perah FH laktasi [The effect of music to performance of milk cows FH in lactation period]. Sains Peternakan, 16(1), 30-33. https://doi.org/10.20961/sainspet.v16i1.18738

  • Neave, H. W., Lomb, J., von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., Behnam-Shabahang, A., & Weary, D. M. (2017). Parity differences in the behavior of transition dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(1), 548-561. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-10987

  • Pahl, C., Hartung, E., Mahlkow-Nerge, K., & Haeussermann, A. (2015). Feeding characteristics and rumination time of dairy cows around estrus. Journal of Dairy Science, 98(1), 148-154. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8025

  • Paudyal, S. (2021). Using rumination time to manage health and reproduction in dairy cattle: A review. Veterinary Quarterly, 41(1), 292-300. https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2021.1987581

  • Pollock, J. G., Gordon, A. W., Huson, K. M., & McConnell, D. A. (2022). The effect of frequency of fresh pasture allocation on the feeding behaviour of high production dairy cows. Animals, 12(3), 243. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030243

  • Proudfoot, K. L., Veira, D. M., Weary, D. M., & von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. (2009). Competition at the feed bunk changes the feeding, standing, and social behavior of transition dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(7), 3116-3123. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1718

  • Rickard, N. S., Toukhsati, S. R., & Field, S. E. (2005). The effect of music on cognitive performance: Insight from neurobiological and animal studies. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 4(4), 235-261. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534582305285869

  • Schirmann, K., Chapinal, N., Weary, D. M., Heuwieser, W., & von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. (2012). Rumination and its relationship to feeding and lying behavior in Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(6), 3212-3217. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-4741

  • Siewert, J. M., Salfer, J. A., & Endres, M. I. (2019). Milk yield and milking station visits of primiparous versus multiparous cows on automatic milking system farms in the Upper Midwest United States. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(4), 3523-3530. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15382

  • Solan, M., & Józwik, M. (2009). Wpływ mikroklimatu oraz systemu utrzymania na dobrostan krów mlecznych [The effect of microclimate and management system on the welfare of dairy cows]. Wiadomości Zootechniczne, 1, 25–29.

  • Stauder, A., Humer, E., Neubauer, V., Reisinger, N., Kaltenegger, A., & Zebeli, Q. (2020). Distinct responses in feed sorting, chewing behavior, and ruminal acidosis risk between primiparous and multiparous Simmental cows fed diets differing in forage and starch levels. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(9), 8467-8481. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17760

  • Suntharalingam, C. (2019). Marketing mix of milk and dairy products in peninsular Malaysia. https://www.eria.org/uploads/media/10.RPR_FY2018_05_Chapter_5.pdf

  • Temple, D., Bargo, F., Mainau, E., Ipharraguerre, I. & Manteca, X. (2016). Lying behaviour and performances in dairy cattle — Practical case. Farm Animal Welfare Education Centre. https://www.fawec.org/en/fact-sheets/31-cattle/196-lying-performance-dairy-cattle

  • Tucker, C. B., Jensen, M. B., de Passillé, A. M., Hänninen, L., & Rushen, J. (2021). Invited review: Lying time and the welfare of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(1), 20-46. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-18074

  • Ungerfeld, R., Hötzel, M. J., Scarsi, A., & Quintans, G. (2011). Behavioral and physiological changes in early-weaned multiparous and primiparous beef cows. Animal, 5(8), 1270-1275. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731111000334

  • Varişoğlu, Y., & Güngör Satilmiş, I. (2020). The effects of listening to music on breast milk production by mothers of premature newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit: A randomized controlled study. Breastfeed Medicine, 15(7), 465-470. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2020.0027

  • Wathes, D. C., Cheng, Z., Bourne, N., Taylor, V. J., Coffey, M. P., & Brotherstone, S. (2007). Differences between primiparous and multiparous dairy cows in the inter-relationships between metabolic traits, milk yield and body condition score in the periparturient period. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 33(2), 203-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2006.05.004

  • Weeks, C. A., Brown, S. N., Warriss, P. D., Lane, S., Heasman, L., & Benson, T. (2009). Noise levels in lairages for cattle, sheep and pigs in abattoirs in England and Wales. The Veterinary Record, 165(11), 308-314. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.165.11.308

  • Whitehead, R. (2019, October 23). Malaysia to set up its biggest dairy farm with help from Qatar. DairyReporter. https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2019/10/23/Malaysia-to-set-up-its-biggest-dairy-farm-with-help-from-Qatar

  • Yusof, N. N. M. (2019). The effect of indoor management systems for pregnant ewes on maternal behaviour expressed after parturition [Doctoral dissertation, University of Edinburgh]. Edinburgh Research Archieve. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/35770

  • Zhao, P., Zhao, J., Liu, H., Zhang, R., Li, J., Zhang, M., Wang, C., Bi, Y., Zhang, X., Yi, R., Li, X., & Bao, J. (2020). Effects of long-term exposure to music on behaviour, immunity and performance of piglets. Animal Production Science, 61(5), 532-539. https://doi.org/10.1071/an20407

ISSN 1511-3701

e-ISSN 2231-8542

Article ID

JTAS-2560-2022

Download Full Article PDF

Share this article

Related Articles