Evidence shows that cows given a bit of extra love and attention produce more milk, says Dairy NZ scientist Gwyneth Verkerk.
Ms Verkerk was commenting on research from the UK that shows that cows that are given names and get more individual care reward the farmers by producing up to 284 litres more milk a year.
She said the connection between production and good animal husbandry is well documented.
And Ms Verkerk said that applies just as much to New Zealand dairy farms with hundreds of cows as it does to European farmers who may have only a small herd.
The stock handler needs to have a positive attitude to the animal, she said.
She advises farmers to approach the cows quietly, talk to them and treat them positively by way of pats, rather than subjecting them to loud noises and treating them more roughly.
Ms Verkerk says the animal will then be much calmer and when she comes into the dairy shed she will let her milk down well.
