Cows have best friends!

Friendship is an indispensable facet of our lives, providing us with invaluable support, connection, and moments of shared laughter. It serves as a shield against the perils of loneliness and isolation, offering solace in the company of cherished companions. Studies conducted in the US indicate that most individuals cultivate a circle of three to five close friends. These are the confidants with whom you can engage in profound conversations about life or effortlessly exchange a barrage of private jokes and cherished memories.

However, the beauty of friendship extends beyond the realm of humans. Research suggests that animals, including cows, form profound bonds with their counterparts, albeit expressed in distinct ways. Much like us, they possess the capacity to experience emotions, forge connections, and exhibit empathy.

Companionship in a commercial world

Recent research conducted by the University of Northampton sheds light on the remarkably human-like relationships that exist among cattle. The study reveals that cattle form selective friendships and experience significantly reduced stress levels when in the company of their preferred companions.

The motivation for this research was partly fueled by the ongoing debate in the UK surrounding “mega dairies,” which house between 3,000 to 8,000 cattle. These large-scale dairy operations are seen by some within the industry as a means to enhance competitiveness, often implying the goal of producing milk at lower prices than competitors.

Prior studies on both domestic and feral cattle, typically found in smaller groups, had already uncovered the presence of strong social bonds. For instance, cattle raised together tend to maintain lifelong connections that are more robust than those formed when cattle are introduced or join a group later in life. Researcher Krista Marie McLennan embarked on the less-explored path of understanding how companionship affects the well-being of cattle in larger commercial dairy settings.

To initiate her observations, McLennan selected a specific dairy farm and sought to identify the closest friendships among the cattle. Thousands of observations were recorded while the animals grazed, rested, and were fed, with a focus on which specific cattle spent the most time in close proximity to each other. The results revealed a clear pattern of preferential relationships, with over 50 percent of the cattle consistently choosing one specific mate, irrespective of biological family ties.

Following this identification of preferred pairs, the researcher examined the physiological and behavioural effects of separating cattle from their preferred partners. Eleven cattle, forming six pairs of preferred relationships (one cow having two best friends), were isolated from the herd in two scenarios: 30 minutes with their preferred partner and 30 minutes with a randomly selected cow. The findings showed that cows separated from their preferred partners exhibited calmer heart rates and lower levels of agitation compared to when they were paired with random companions.

Cattle experience stress

Modern dairy farming practices often subject cattle to separation from their herds, whether for routine veterinary check-ups, isolation after milking, or categorisation based on production stages, as in the case of ‘regrouping’. Such separation can be short-term or long-term, and both scenarios are associated with stress indicators like increased vocalisation, physical agitation, and elevated heart rates.

Regrouping, in particular, presents a significant source of stress. In commercial dairy operations, cattle undergo regrouping cycles between four to 12 times a year. Each reshuffling necessitates navigation of the social hierarchy within the new group, making it challenging for cattle to establish new social bonds. Therefore, it’s through our intimate relationships that people and cattle gain a sense of safety.