Tai Chi 'moo-ves' mean more milk

Robert Taverner says being relaxed around the cows helps milk production

A Devon dairy farmer says performing Tai Chi in front of his cows has improved the quality and quantity of their milk.

Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that uses slow motion routines to promote health and wellbeing.

Robert Taverner, from Exeter, said Tai Chi helped him relax, which also helped the cows relax.

He said: "The happier I am, the happier the cows are. And the happier they are, the more milk they produce."

He began Tai Chi eight months ago as part of a marketing ploy by the Federation of Organic Milk Groups (FOMG).

And he enjoyed it so much that he now practises it every morning, in his Wellington boots and overalls.

It is important to have a happy herd of cows Robert Taverner

He said: "This year compared to last year the cows are producing something like 10% more milk.

"It could be a lot of factors but with organic farming it's not always about quantity. I mean this year it seems to be quantity, but it's also the quality in that milk as well."

Mr Taverner can be seen practising his moves on the website Love Om, created to promote organic milk by the FOMG.

Melita Swan, of the website, said: "A lot of organic farmers practise yoga, so they may have more propensity to doing Tai Chi.

"They also seem to have a holistic view of life and they think it is important to have a happy herd of cows."