Want More Milk? Try Cow Brushes

Research shows that installing mechanical brushes can reduce stress and increase milk production

Enhancing Cow Comfort to Boost Milk Production: From Mechanical Brushes to Smart Farming

It’s better for the cows’ health and helps them produce more milk. Today, farmers are using different methods to improve their cows’ living environment. They provide softer bedding and play relaxing music in the barn. One of these solutions is both simple and effective: mechanical brushing.

Mechanical Brushes: A Simple Tool with Big Benefits

Cows like to groom themselves. It helps them stay clean and reduces stress. But in modern barns that are very crowded, they don’t always have the space or tools to do so. That’s where mechanical brushes can help.

Researchers have found that giving cows access to brushes helps reduce boredom and frustration. For example, a 2007 study by DeVries et al. showed that placing brushes in hard-to-reach areas allowed cows to scratch themselves more easily, which improved their overall mood. In another study, cows that were manually brushed during milking had lower levels of cortisol — a hormone linked to stress.

And it’s not just about comfort. Brushing has also been linked to better milk yields. A study by Schukken and Young found that second-lactation cows (those that have calved once before) produced 1 kg more milk per day — about a 3.5% increase — when brushes were available in the barn. However, the same effect was not observed in first-time mothers or cows that had calved three or more times.

The benefits go beyond milk volume. The same study found that cows in brush-equipped barns had a lower incidence of clinical mastitis, especially among those in their second or later lactations. Since mastitis can cost around $427 per case to treat in the U.S., investing in mechanical brushes — which range from $50 to $1,000 — can pay off in the long run. In fact, analysis from Mississippi State University suggests that reducing mastitis-related expenses alone can justify the cost.

Smart Farming: Precision Tech to Support Cow Welfare

Mechanical brushes are just one part of a bigger picture. Precision farming technologies — like automated milking systems and climate-controlled barns — are offering even greater opportunities to improve cow comfort and productivity.

In a 2024 study, Lovarelli and his team looked at how long-term use of mechanical ventilation and automatic milking systems affected Italy’s farms. They found that cows in barns with mechanical ventilation produced 4.4 kg more milk per day, and their milk had higher fat and protein content.

When both ventilation and automatic milking systems were used together, milk yield rose even more — by 7.4 kg per day on average. However, the gains in milk fat and protein levels were smaller or flat.

The study, which spanned various seasons with temperatures ranging from 2.7°C in winter to 27°C in summer, shows that precision technologies not only boost milk production but also help cows stay healthier and more comfortable throughout the year.

Conclusion

From mechanical brushes that reduce stress to smart systems that regulate temperature and automate milking, modern dairy farming is evolving with one clear goal: to keep cows happier and more productive. And as research continues to confirm, investing in cow comfort is also an investment in better milk and a healthier herd.

Sources:

DeVries, T. J., Vankova, M., Veira, D. M., & von Keyserlingk, M. A. G.(2007).Short communication: Usage of mechanical brushes by lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 90(5),2241-2245.DOl:10.3168/ids.2006-648

Wredle, E., et al (2022).Feeding and Manual Brushing Influence theRelease of Oxytocin, ACTH and Cortisol Differently During Milking inDairy Cows. Front. Neurosci.,14 March 2022.Sec. NeuroendocrineScience.Volume 16-2022.Dol: 10.3389/fnins.2022.671702

Schukken, Y.H. and Young, G.D., 2009. Field study on milk productionand mastitis effect of the DeLaval Swinging Cow Brush. DeLaval:Tumba, Sweden, pp.1-26.

Lovarelli, D., et al. Reducing life cycle environmental impacts of milkproduction through precision livestock farming. Sustainable Productionand Consumption, Volume 51, 2024, Pages 303-314,ISSN 2352-5509.DOl: 10.1016/i.spc.2024.09.021