Cows like us, want to be called by name, researchers say

Syed Akbar
Hyderabad:  What is in a name, the Bard said. But researchers
now say there is lot more to a name if it is a cow. “Cows like us,
want to be called by name,” researchers point out.

According to researchers at Newcastle University, happy cows produce
more milk and calling cows by personal names makes them the happiest.
The study was point of debate at the Desi Cow Festival, which
concluded here on Friday.

Suryanarayana Reddy, a livestock farmer and chairman of Charak Dairy,
said cows are fond of him and “in fact, one of the cows I named
Krishna gets very affectionate to me”.

The study by Newcastle University's School of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Development, said cows that are named and treated with a "more
personal touch" can increase milk yields. Cows recognize and respond
to kind treatment from humans. A cow produces more milk when it is
spoken to with kind words.

“Calling animals by name, putting some extra care does not cost
farmers a paisa more, but, it certainly helps them to get good yield”,
said Pratap. A livestock farmer from West Godavari district.

A retired Ayurveda doctor Venkatratnam said cow urine is antifungal,
antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-allergic and antimicrobial.

“Cows do not forget things they learnt.  They do not forget a place or
a face. Research has shown that cows have an excellent memory.  They
remember their homes.  They can find their way back home or their
choicest places.

According to Suryanarayana Reddy, services of cows were used in the
past in Bareilly Central Jail in Uttar Pradesh to reform prisoners.
“Cows grieve too, especially when they are parted with their loved
ones. Cows are kind,” he adds.

Many cow products were in huge demand.  Books, CDs on cow therapy were
sold like hot cakes. People were seen competing with one another in
booking desi cow milk.