How might dairy science involve dancing and video games? Find out as Matt sits down with Jennifer Van Os, PhD, associate professor and extension specialist in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Jennifer’s path to dairy began in an unexpected place—human psychology—where her early love of applied science set her on a course toward solving challenges for farmers and their cows. Today, her motto, “Giving cows a voice through science,” guides her lab’s work on understanding animal welfare and developing accessible tools to improve the physical, behavioral, and social well-being of dairy cows. The two discuss one such tool, Mooving Cows, a gaming app inspired by flight simulators that allows dairy staff to practice cow-handling skills in a safe, interactive way to keep animals calm and secure during daily movements on the farm. Although she never set out to work in gaming, Jennifer explains how cow handling is like a dance, and that direct feedback from her local farming community inspired the active, hands-on learning solution. Beyond technology, Matt and Jennifer discuss broader themes of public perception of dairy welfare, industry resilience, and herd longevity. Jennifer explains why pair housing can be a win-win for both calves and farmers, and why the future of animal welfare may hinge on giving cows more agency through choice. Along the way, she shares career advice from mentors such as Cassandra Tucker and Paul Fricke, and reflects on the vital role of extension specialists in bridging science with daily farm practice to make improvements for farmers and their cows alike.
