day · fixed · day 49 of 365

Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day

No, this is not a joke. Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day is a real celebration!

Marketing angleinferred

Leverage the quirky, viral-friendly history of Elm Farm Ollie to drive engagement through humorous, shareable content and experiential farm-to-table or dairy brand activations.

Relevance 28low intent

Recreate the 1930 stunt: dairy brands partner with VR platforms to let consumers 'milk a cow mid-flight'
Cow costume photo contests on social media with dairy product giveaways
Farm-to-table restaurants host 'Ollie-inspired' milk tasting events featuring heritage and modern dairy products

History

Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day celebrates a quirky and historic event that took place on February 18, 1930.

On this day, a cow named Elm Farm Ollie, also known as Nellie Jay, became the first cow to fly in an airplane and be milked mid-flight.

This event was part of the International Air Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. The goal was to study how flying affected a cow’s milk production, but it also served as a publicity stunt.

Elm Farm Ollie’s flight was made possible by a sturdy Ford Trimotor airplane. The aircraft carried her from Bismarck, Missouri, to St. Louis, covering a distance of 72 miles.

During the flight, dairy farmer Elsworth W. Bunce milked Ollie, producing 24 quarts of milk. This milk was then sealed in paper containers and parachuted down to spectators below, making it an unforgettable spectacle.

The day commemorates this unique blend of agriculture and aviation. It honors the adventurous spirit of early aviators and the importance of cows in our daily lives.

Celebrating this day reminds us of the remarkable feats achieved through curiosity and innovation, encouraging us to appreciate both farming and flight in a fun, historical context.

How to celebrate

Host a Cow-Themed Party

Throw a lively cow-themed bash. Decorate your space with black and white spots, serve milk-based snacks, and play farm-inspired games. Friends and family will love the quirky atmosphere, and everyone can join in the fun, celebrating the extraordinary cow, Elm Farm Ollie.

Virtual Reality Experience

Dive into the adventure with a virtual reality simulator. Experience the sensation of milking a cow while flying high. It’s an exciting and modern way to appreciate this unique holiday. Plus, it’s perfect for those who love a mix of technology and history.

Creative Cow Art

Channel your inner artist and create cow-inspired artwork. Use any medium you like—paint, pencils, or digital tools. Share your masterpieces on social media with friends, spreading the word about this amusing day. Let creativity take flight just like Elm Farm Ollie did.

Milk Tasting Event

Organize a milk tasting session. Gather different types of cow’s milk and explore their flavors. Discuss which one you like best. It’s both fun and educational, highlighting the diversity of dairy products. You might discover a new favorite milk.

Dress Like a Cow

Wear a cow costume for the day. It’s a fun and whimsical way to celebrate. Whether at home, at work, or out and about, your costume will surely bring smiles. Don’t forget to share pictures and enjoy the attention.

Watch a Documentary

Learn more about the historic event by watching a documentary on Elm Farm Ollie. Gather family or friends for a viewing party. It’s a great way to honor the day and understand the significance of this quirky feat.

Share the Story

Tell the tale of Elm Farm Ollie to someone who’s never heard it. Use social media, or write a blog post. Sharing this fun and historic story helps keep the memory alive and spreads the joy of this delightful day.

FAQ

How are cows usually transported by air today, and what welfare standards apply?

Modern air transport of cattle is tightly regulated and focuses on minimizing stress, injury, and disease. Airlines follow the International Air Transport Association’s Live Animals Regulations, which specify crate sizes, stocking densities, ventilation, temperature, and feeding and watering intervals, while many countries also require veterinary health checks and movement permits. These standards were developed as live-animal air shipments increased over the 20th century and are regularly updated to reflect new animal-welfare science. [1]

Does air travel affect dairy cows’ milk production or health?

Research on long-distance air transport of cattle shows that it can cause significant stress, leading to hormonal changes, immune suppression, metabolic disturbances, and reproductive problems, all of which can indirectly reduce milk production once cows return to normal housing. More broadly, stress in dairy cows—from handling, heat, or environmental changes—is associated with lower feed intake, altered behavior, and decreased milk yield, so careful management before, during, and after transport is essential. [1]

When did people first start flying farm animals, and why did they do it?

The earliest known animal airplane passenger was a piglet flown in 1909, and by the 1920s, prize livestock such as the bull Nico III were being flown between European agricultural shows. These early flights were both practical—moving valuable animals quickly over long distances—and promotional, demonstrating the capabilities of new aircraft while attracting public attention to aviation and agriculture. [1]

How does stress generally influence milk yield and behavior in dairy cows?

Scientific reviews of dairy cattle behavior show that stressors such as pain, disease, heat, overcrowding, or rough handling activate physiological stress responses that reduce feed intake and alter normal behaviors like lying and ruminating.Over time, these changes contribute to lower milk production, poorer fertility, and higher disease risk, which is why low-stress handling and stable housing conditions are central to modern dairy management. [1]

Is cow’s milk nutritionally necessary for humans, or just one option among many?

Cow’s milk provides high-quality protein, calcium, iodine, and often vitamin D, and can be a convenient way to obtain these nutrients, but public health researchers emphasize it is not biologically essential for humans. A well-planned diet using other foods or fortified plant-based drinks can supply the same nutrients, so including dairy is a dietary choice influenced by culture, health status, and personal preference. [1]

What nutrients does cow’s milk typically provide, and how do guidelines view it?

Cow’s milk is about 87% water, with the remaining portion containing proteins, fats, lactose, and micronutrients such as calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, and, when fortified, vitamin D. Dietary guidelines like MyPlate in the United States group milk, yogurt, and cheese as “dairy” and treat them as one way—though not the only way—to obtain calcium and vitamin D for bone health. [1]

Why is lactose intolerance so common despite widespread dairy consumption?

Most mammals lose the ability to digest lactose after weaning, and globally, the majority of adults show some degree of lactose malabsorption; only certain populations developed genetic changes that allow lifelong lactase production. In regions with long histories of dairying, such as parts of Europe, more people can tolerate fresh milk, while in many African, Asian, and Indigenous American populations, lactose intolerance is common and dairy is traditionally consumed as fermented products like yogurt, which are lower in lactose. [1]