Cows can be sensitive

Cows have much more between their ears than a strong jaw that's good for chewing grass.

Scientists reported to a London convention on animal intelligence that cows nurture friendships and become excited over challenges.
They are also capable of feeling strong emotions such as pain, fear, anxiety and great happiness.

One study described how cows form small friendship groups of between two and four animals within a herd. They also dislike some other cows and can bear grudges for months or years to come.

Researchers also challenged the animals to work out how to open a door to get some food.

Measuring their brainwaves showed the cows excitement. Their heart beat went up and some even jumped up when they had solved the problem.
Peter Edmondson, consultant vet to Arla Foods Milk Partnership, who has been observing clever cows for years, believes that nothing new has come out of the Compassion in World Farming convention.

"If you go walking in the country you will soon see how naturally curious cows are. Their senses are very acute, especially their sense of smell. Their first instinct is to come over and sniff you out."

Rather than being docile beasts, oblivious to what is going on around them, Peter says that cows are sensitive creatures that are easily upset. If one has to be put down it should not happen in front of the rest of the herd. But one thing continues to surprise even a leading vet.

"Dairy farmers often remark upon cows' love of routine and it still amazes me how they know exactly when they are going to be milked.

"Their sense of timing is extremely good. They know when and wait by the gate a few minutes before."