STATUS OF COWS
Rating On Push And Shove
(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MADISON, Wisconsin, Dec. 10 Cows have their own status system, based on ability to push and shove, United Press International reports. The herd is no haphazard group, but a highly-organised society with a rigid hierarchy and status system, a University of Wisconsin dairy scientist, Dr. H. J. Larsen, has found. The individual cow’s status depends more on ability to push than it does on talents for milk 'production. There is always one boss in the herd, who has uncontested access to the best feeding spot, best shade, choicest spot in the milking line-up and any other privilege she chooses.
The lowly cows at the bottom of the ladders take only what their “social betters” leave rather than squabble. Status is established soon after a cow joins a herd and is not challenged until another newcomer arrives.
Dr. Larsen said cow sociology may enable a farmer to devise better feeding schemes by knowing how far low-status cows have to walk to feed after being pushed around.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CII, Issue 30312, 12 December 1963, Page 21
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176STATUS OF COWS Press, Volume CII, Issue 30312, 12 December 1963, Page 21
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