TAI CHI IMPROVES COWS' MOOD

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Tuesday, 15 April 2008

A dairy farmer has found an unusual way of keeping his herd calm and increase their milk production - by using Tai Chi to help them relax.

Rob Taverner, 44, started entertaining his herd with the ancient martial art after he noticed that they calmed down after watching him go through his routine.

He now practises in front of 100 South Devon Cows for at least 10 minutes every morning in an effort to help them produce more milk.

The organic farmer believes his usually boisterous cows, nicknamed "orange elephants", are far more productive when happy and relaxed.

Rob runs Taverner's Farm, near Exeter, Devon, with wife Helen, 41, and their children Charlie, 16, William, 14, and Katie, 12.

He said: 'Tai Chi is all about leaving your problems behind and getting into a better zone and my mood definitely transfers to the cows.

'Some people think what I do is ridiculous but I have some very content cows and I would do anything to keep them that way."

Source: Western Daily Press 14 April