The Japanese Black cattle are one of the four famous wagyu beef breeds in the land of the rising sun. However, farmers have long complained that the cattle are susceptible to blood-sucking insects such as flies or horseflies. This causes stress, discomfort and pain to the cattle, and even affects the reproductive rate of the entire herd.
According to research by scientists in Yamagata Prefecture, flies are less likely to flock to striped cows and more likely to flock to cows with normal fur. As a result, cattle farmers in the prefecture are starting to dye their cows' fur with mild bleach and paint to give them zebra-like stripes, the Mainichi newspaper reported.
“Many farmers are afraid to let their cattle out in the fields because they are often attacked by horseflies and gnats,” said an official with the province’s agricultural promotion department. “But now we can help cattle relax and grow healthily by painting them with zebra stripes.”
Scientists have tracked the effectiveness of this solution by simply observing cows. They let cows painted with zebra stripes graze with normal cows.
At this point, the number of times the cow wagged its tail, shook its head or stamped its feet – attempts to ward off insects – was recorded. The study found that cows without stripes were attacked about 16 times a minute, while the “zebra” cows were attacked about five times a minute.
Researchers have yet to come up with a scientific explanation for the phenomenon. However, they were quick to share their findings with farmers across the province.
One farmer described the improvement in his herd as “marked”, adding that the unpainted cows did not attack or alienate their striped counterparts.
Minh Hoa (according to Tin Tuc newspaper, Tri Thuc magazine)
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