Thursday, March 20, 2008

The Milk Of Human Kindness

The Cow Jumped Over The, Er, Water Bed

Yes, it's true - happy cows produce more milk. That's why Geauga County farmer Bill Timmons has put 200 waterbeds in his barn - for the herd. He spent nearly $40,000 doing it, too. But he says daily milk production jumped more than 20 per cent after just two weeks of the cows relaxing in their new beds. He's one of the first northeast Ohio farmers to invest in the bedding, a trend that began in the United States about ten years ago.

FOOTNOTE: Turn the udder chic.

15 comments:

TopChamp said...

As ever on your blog - this story is very funny!

Andrea and Kim said...

I love it! Wait until I tell my farming family...no, I am not a farmer by a long shot! When they hear I heard it from you, they will really freak! Far too good.

Mima said...

Waterbeds, just normal beds would be weird enough, but waterbeds - what lucky cows!!

A.Bananna said...

wow. maybe if my husband buys me a waterbed I will be more productive in my house work? that's a thought!

anyways...things are calmer today. maybe a good sign for the rest of the week? lol

Lee said...

Oh, my goodness! That's the height of luxury for cows I guess. I bet that pet paradises have them too. I wonder which started first and who gave the dairy farmers the idea?

Cheers!

Jennifer S said...

Your footnotes are so funny.

Makes you wonder who (and how...) figured out that this worked?

lime said...

hahaha, i'd love to see the PETA folks say this is mistreatment! sucks, i don't even have a waterbed!

Jen said...

But with all that milk sloshing about on waterbeds, how did he not get cheese instead of milk? And if he fed them strawberries...oh the possibilities are endless. But what gets me, given that it appears to work, is how did it cross his mind to try? He had an old water bed and let a cow have a rest then discovered he got more milk so thought he'd buy a few more?

Kat said...

How the hell does a cow get OFF of the waterbed. Now THAT would be fun to watch. hehe

Akelamalu said...

Waterbeds for cows? Whatever next?

DeeMom said...

WOW how neat... mind-blowing picture

BRUNO said...

Wonder if it enhances better breeding, in the "bull" pen, as well?

Well, all I mean is---if HAPPY works for MILK production, then it might work for, well---"A kinder, gentler bull, with a more positive attitude towards---you know"...!

Janice Thomson said...

Gosh those cows sleep better than I do. One wonders where these ideas come from. As always your caption and footnotes make the story.

Christina RN LMT said...

Where's MY waterbed?!

My avatar's not a cow for nothing!

Unknown said...

Amazing! Perhaps I need to get a water bed for my on relaxation.fspkkt