Stable with daylight-lamps

Open top roof

Light

Many producers are potentially limiting their milk production in fall, winter and spring months through improper and inadequate lighting (In the most northern climates the natural day length is less than 13.5 hours). Six research trials conducted throughout the US and four other nations indicate that proper lighting can increase feeding activity and milk production of lactating dairy cattle.

Results have shown that by providing dairy cows with a constant light level of between 10 and 20 footcandles (1 footcandle = 10.76 lux) for a 16 to 18 hour period followed by a continuous dark period of 6 to 8 hours will result in:

• An increase in milk production from 5 to 16% (8% being typical)
• An increase in feed intake of about 6%
• No negative reproduction performance of cows
• A possible enhancement in the reproductive development of heifers.

If your measurement of available light shows intensity levels below the desired amount (10 to 30 footcandles, measured at the feedbunk (tie stall) or at the feedbunk and stall area (freestall) then improvements to the supplemental lighting system should be made.
To measure this, a simple light or lumen meter can be used in the barn. Light meters are reasonably inexpensive and can be easily carried in your coat pocket.

Why is Light Important?

The pineal gland in most mammals is controlled by the amount of light seen through the eyes each day. This includes both the intensity of light (amount) and the length of light exposure (duration). When activated by light there is a "light signal" sent from the eyes to the hypothalamus and from there to the pineal gland (activating pineal secretion). This pineal secretion includes the substance melatonin. Increased amounts of light exposure actually decrease the amount of melatonin synthesis and release from the pineal gland. In all species studied melatonin has been found to reach peak concentrations in darkness in cerebral spinal fluid, blood and urine.

Why is melatonin important? 

Have you ever wondered why you get sleepy after eating a large meal of turkey? Turkey has high levels of the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is actually a major precursor of melatonin. Melatonin operates in the brain and has been shown to produce drowsiness in people (you can actually buy melatonin products that help you sleep). Feel a little tired and run down during the short days of winter? Again, higher levels of melatonin produced naturally by your system cause this affect. In seasonal animals (sheep, deer, etc..) these levels of melatonin actually shut down reproductive function for the season. In an animal like the lactating dairy cow, short days (less light: more melatonin) do not shut down reproductive function, but they do have a negative effect on appetite and level of production

(out of: supplemental light for dairy cattle)

To provide enough light it is possible to use sunlight (open tops, light plates in the roof), but most of the time this is not enough (intensity and duration). There are different kind of lamps available today. For more information please have a look at the following page:

The Nuts, Bolts, and Bulbs of Lighting

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Page updated 23.5.2006