Contact/s:
Richard Lloyd
richardl@i4agri.org
The Use of LED Lighting in Dairy Housing to Increase Performance and Lower Costs and Carbon Footprint
UK
Temperate Climate
- Improved Milk Production
- Lower Electricity Costs
- Improved Animal Welfare
Thematic Areas
Production System/s
Summary for Practicioners on the Main Finding(s)/Innovative solution(s)
Providing better lighting in dairy setups can increase yields by 10%. Milking cows exposed to light levels over 150 lux for 16 hours a day can increase yields by 8–13%, as increased daylight reduces the cows’ melatonin levels. This, in turn, enables more of their naturally occurring milk-producing hormones to be secreted. However, it is also important to provide 8 hours of darkness to optimise the cows’ circadian rhythm, which improves health and reproductive performance.
Farmers must take care when measuring light. It is important to take measurements at cow level, ideally with sensors that automatically activate the lighting systems. A common mistake is placing lights only above the feed passage and not distributing them evenly throughout the cubicle building. A cow typically spends only 3–4 hours per day at the feed barrier but rests in a cubicle for 12–16+ hours per day. If lighting is inadequate in the cubicles, where the cow spends most of her time, she will not be exposed to the required photoperiod.
Red night lights may be used to facilitate cow movement and observation during darkness. The intensity of red light has minimal or no effect on the cows’ perception of darkness and thus does not significantly impact melatonin secretion. There should be no brighter lights in any part of the barn, and cows need 2–4 weeks on average to adjust.
LED lights with blue-enriched white light (400–500 nm) are an ideal light source and help reduce energy costs. These can also be incorporated into units that provide red night lights. Optimising the light spectrum and photoperiod helps regulate the cows’ circadian rhythm by mimicking summer daylight conditions, which stimulates feed intake and milk production. Red night lights also improve fertility and general well-being, while providing a better environment for farm workers and aiding in heat detection.
Longer Description
Providing better lighting in dairy setups can increase yields by 10%. Milking cows exposed to light levels over 150 lux for 16 hours a day can increase yields by 8–13%, as increased daylight reduces the cows’ melatonin levels. This, in turn, enables more of their naturally occurring milk-producing hormones to be secreted. However, it is also important to provide 8 hours of darkness to optimise the cows’ circadian rhythm, which improves health and reproductive performance.
Farmers must take care when measuring light. It is important to take measurements at cow level, ideally with sensors that automatically activate the lighting systems. A common mistake is placing lights only above the feed passage and not distributing them evenly throughout the cubicle building. A cow typically spends only 3–4 hours per day at the feed barrier but rests in a cubicle for 12–16+ hours per day. If lighting is inadequate in the cubicles, where the cow spends most of her time, she will not be exposed to the required photoperiod.
Red night lights may be used to facilitate cow movement and observation during darkness. The intensity of red light has minimal or no effect on the cows’ perception of darkness and thus does not significantly impact melatonin secretion. There should be no brighter lights in any part of the barn, and cows need 2–4 weeks on average to adjust.
LED lights with blue-enriched white light (400–500 nm) are an ideal light source and help reduce energy costs. These can also be incorporated into units that provide red night lights. Optimising the light spectrum and photoperiod helps regulate the cows’ circadian rhythm by mimicking summer daylight conditions, which stimulates feed intake and milk production. Red night lights also improve fertility and general well-being, while providing a better environment for farm workers and aiding in heat detection.