MORE MILK!

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7170, 18 March 1930, Page 9

MORE MILK!

Music Hath Chaims, Even for the Herd HAURAKI FARMERS’ CLAIM A marked increase in the production of milk from his cows as the result of providing his herd with radio, is claimed by Mr A. H. Me Clean, a well-known farmer of Waitokaruru, Hauraki Plains ( say's a correspondent). In proof of his assertion, he can show a drop in his factory weights for every Tuesday morning, corresponding to the Auckland broadcast station's silent day on Monday.

It has long been known that cows like music, and that herds grazing overnight near a building in which a dance is being held give an extra quantity of milk on the following morning. It is frequently claimed that milkers who sing at their "work get better results than others, but that is usually attributed to the fact that milkers who sing must be’ in a good humour, and thus treat the cows gently. Certain it is that cows respond very quickly to any change from what they have, been accustomed to. The presence of strangers, a new method of working, or a new mechanical sound, will make them restless. Mr McClean claims that his cows stand quietly as long as the music is coming over the air, and that they come in to be milked of their own accord w'hen they hoar the music commence.

However, it was with none of these purposes that Mr McClean installed a loud speaker in his milking shed. . Ho is one of tho keenest radio enthusiasts on the Hauraki Plains, and it was to provide himself with radio music while engaged in milking’ that ho acted against the advice of the radio dealers, and attempted to work a. second loudspeaker over 2 chains away from his receiver. The dealers said that it would not work, but very satisfactory results are being obtained.