Anti Gravity: The Farm Report; October 2001; Scientific American Magazine; by Steve Mirsky; 1 Page(s)

Late in June the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a press release describing what they called a new discipline. The idea is for behavioral scientists to study farm animals using standard wild-animal study tools, such as remote cameras, binoculars and observations from hidden areas called blinds. The press release noted that this kind of research has already led to a new feeding schedule that has decreased aggression among cattle.

Anyway, this new type of fieldwork conjures up a possible research report that might go something like this. (If this were a television sitcom, the screen would now get all wavy.) Highlights of long-term investigation of animal behavior on farm of Mr. J: Boar captures attention of all other animals, including dogs, pigs, hens, pigeons, sheep and cows, three horses (large one with white stripe on nose), goat, donkey, ducklings, cat. Animals become noisy, farmer J blasts gun from inside house, animals scatter to sleeping areas.