By carefully observing the cows, specialized coaches decode their signals in order to improve their well-being. The objective: to recreate in stable conditions close to what they experience in pastures, for more serene animals … and therefore more productive.
When Martina Schmid, a cattle billing advisor, visits a herd, she carefully observes the cows: their behavior, their general appearance, the brilliance of their coat or the liveliness of their gaze. So many small signs revealing the well-being of animals, called “cow signals”.
We are in the team from morning to night, 365 days a year. By force, there are many things that we do not see
“These signals make it possible to judge whether the cow enjoys fully when it is in the pasture of the good air, light, food, water, calm and space,” explains Martina Schmid at the microphone of summer colors. The objective, then, is to reply the elements available to it freely outside in the stable. “This is the goal of cow’s signals.”
Welcome outside look
This comparative reading of what animals experience outside and what they experience inside makes it possible to detect possible problems. This is what she did that day at Küssnacht Am Rigi (SZ) in the exploitation of Romand Landolt. And this, even if his stable is modern, built two years ago.
“We are in the stable from morning to night, 365 days a year. By force, there are many things that we do not see,” said Romand Landolt. “It is therefore useful if someone outside, who has visited many operations, comes to give his opinion. I rarely see other farms, I don’t have such a wise eye.”
Martina Schmid judges the stable well designed, reproducing rather well the conditions of pastures: optimal orientation, natural light in the afternoon, good ventilation. “It’s a beautiful painting. According to the signs of the cows, that’s exactly what we are looking for,” she rejoices.
A small detail to improve
Even if you are closer, a detail is attracting its attention: a clearer area on the neck of a cow. “We see that she rubs something at that level.” After more observations, the culprit is quickly identified: a horizontal bar above the trough, where the animals eat.
“The cows should touch below with the hooves, and not at the top with the neck,” said the cattle breeding advisor.
![By eating, the cows rub their neck against a bar. [RTS]](https://img.rts.ch/articles/2025/image/lif9z4-28917128.image?mw=1280 "By eating, the cows rub their neck against a bar. [RTS]")
This time, it will simply be enough to move the bar. With this, “I hope that animal welfare will improve again, and that animals will be even happier, and I therefore also”, rejoices the farmer. Because a happy cow is also a cow that produces more, and that is scientifically proven.
TV subject: Lars Gosh (SRF), Jost von Reding
Text for the web: Fabien Grenon
