Music That Sows the Mood: How a Belgian Farmer’s Play‑list Might Make Pigs Dance
In the quiet cornfields halfway between Brussels and the Dutch border, a Belgian farmer named Piet Paesmans has stumbled upon a surprising new trick: music can change the way his pigs behave.
It All Began with a Singing Son
One lazy insemination session, Paesmans’s son broke into an impromptu sing‑along inside the barn. The sows, usually slow to respond, perked up, wagged tails, and even started bobbing their heads. “It was too good to ignore,” Paesmans told Reuters. He quickly set out to see if the effect was all that.
Playlist Power
Now, the farmer has a daily mix that cues different “moods” for the herd:
- Morning Rides & Mid‑day Zest: Up‑tempo pop that pumps up the pigs for activity.
- Evening Calm: Soft lullabies that settle the animals down.
- Test Runs: With “jolly dance” tracks, the pigs twitch tails, spin, and frolic like it’s a field trip.
- Rock? Not so Much: Heavy metal tends to stress the animals, so that genre is left out of the mix.
Scientists Step In
Paesmans’s observations caught the eye of a research team led by Sander Palmans. With EU and Flanders funds totaling €75,000, the scientists are poring over the data to verify whether certain sonic stimuli actually influence pig behavior.
“There’s no doubt that animals react to specific noises,” Palmans notes. “Music might just amplify that effect and help relieve the boredom that breeds stress.”
Why It Matters
Because stress can dent the quality of pork, Paesmans believes a mentally fit pig is just as crucial as a physically fit one. “If a pig gets too stressed before slaughter, you can see it in the meat,” he explains. “Good vibes mean better quality on the plate.”
What’s Next?
The research team expects results by year‑end. If the song‑powered approach pans out, farmers might soon find their barns humming with a tailored soundtrack that keeps pigs calm and the market happier.
