Playing jazz to cows is latest TikTok craze

Farmers across the globe are picking up instruments and heading to the fields as a social media trend encouraging jazz serenades for cows sweeps the internet.

The viral clips, viewed millions of times on the social media platform TikTok, show cows gathering curiously as saxophones, trumpets, and portable speakers fill the air with smooth jazz. (Nice!) 

From live performances to carefully curated playlists, it’s all part of a growing online movement aimed at calming cattle and possibly boosting milk production.

See also: What’s in a name? History of British field names revealed

In one popular video, an employee at Smithills Open Farm in Bolton, Greater Manchester, said: “We’ve seen some videos online, so we’re going to test out if our Jersey cows like jazz.”

@smithillsopenfarm Our jersey cows love jazz!🤩🤣🥰 #jerseycow #jazztok #cows #cowsoftiktok #farmtok #fyp ♬ In the Mood – Glenn Miller

The comment sections of other viral videos have also hit a high note.

Viewers have joked, “Jazz music really moooves them,” and “This is actually very dangerous for the cows because after a while, they start to absorb all the jazz and become jazz musicians.”

One online commenter suggested, “I’m convinced that a farm out there should have jazz weekends for humans and cows. You can come and share drinks and good vibes with them.”

Enchanting

The idea of cows enjoying music is not new.

In Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna is famously shown playing the flute, surrounded by cows enchanted by his melodies, an ancient nod to the suggestion of music’s calming power over cattle.

Science seems to back the trend, too.

A 2001 study, from the University of Leicester, involving 1,000-strong herds of Holstein Friesian cattle found that slow-tempo music (with a tempo of under 100 beats/minute) including jazz and Beethoven led to a 3% increase in milk production.

Earlier research, from 1978, by a scientist called Wisniewski found that country and classical music helped cows feel more relaxed when entering the milking parlour.

Now, thanks to TikTok, a new generation is rediscovering this melodic connection. Compilation videos show farmers standing in fields, instruments in hand, as cows quietly look on or nod their heads to the beat.

So, what do your cows like? Farmers Weekly wants to know. Share your top tips and videos with farmersweekly@markallengroup.com