Cows Produce More Milk When Listening to Music

Picture a barn filled with the gentle strains of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. The cows sway contentedly, their stress levels drop, and something remarkable happens: they produce more milk. This isn't some pastoral fantasy—it's backed by hard science.

A 2025 study from the University of Pretoria found that dairy cows exposed to soothing classical music around the clock produced up to two liters more milk per milking session compared to cows in silent conditions. That's a significant boost for farmers, but the real story is what's happening inside the cow.

The Science of Moo-sic

When cows listen to slow, calming music, their cortisol levels—a key stress hormone—drop measurably. Research published in Frontiers in Animal Science in 2025 tested 91 Jersey cows with different genres: classical, country, Latin, rock, and silence. Classical won by a landslide.

Lower stress means better physiological balance. Cows with reduced cortisol show improved immune function and increased milk production. One study found average daily milk yield jumped from 19.7 liters without music to 20.4 liters with it—a statistically significant difference that translates to real profit for dairy operations.

Not All Tunes Are Created Equal

Here's where it gets interesting: the genre matters. Researchers found that slow-tempo music (around 100 beats per minute or less) works best. Fast, aggressive music like rock or heavy metal? Not so much. Some studies even showed it could increase stress.

Indian classical music (ragas) proved particularly effective in Cao et al.'s 2025 research, possibly because of its rhythmic patterns that mirror natural calming frequencies. But Western classical works too—think Mozart, Vivaldi, or pastoral symphonies rather than Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Why Farmers Are Installing Sound Systems

The practical applications are already happening. Progressive dairy farms worldwide are installing speakers in milking parlors and barns. The investment pays for itself quickly when each cow produces an extra liter or two daily.

But it's not just about profit. Stressed cows are unhappy cows, and animal welfare matters. Music enrichment represents a simple, non-invasive way to improve quality of life for dairy cattle while simultaneously boosting productivity—a genuine win-win.

The phenomenon works through multiple pathways:

• Reduced ambient noise stress from machinery and equipment
• Lowered heart rate and blood pressure in cattle
• Decreased aggressive behaviors between cows
• Improved let-down reflex during milking

The Broader Picture

This isn't unique to cows. Similar effects have been documented in chickens, pigs, and even fish in aquaculture. Music appears to tap into something fundamental about how animals process environmental stimuli and regulate stress responses.

So next time you're relaxing to classical music, remember: you're not alone. Somewhere, a dairy cow is doing exactly the same thing—and making more milk because of it.