From feed source to comfort, there are many factors that affect the milk production of cows.
It is reported that some studies have found that well-design lighting can increase milk production by 6%-10%.
If the lighting time in the cow shed is extended, the milk production and feed intake of the cow will also increase. Studies have shown that the milk production is the highest when the light time is 16 to 18 hours per day and the light intensity is at least 160-200 lux.
Phil Elkins, director of the Westpoint Veterinary Group in the United Kingdom, said that long-term exposure was believed to increase the release of prolactin, a hormone for milk production.
“Research shows that during lactation, especially in the early stages, 16 hours of light plus 8 hours of darker lighting per day can increase the daily milk production of a herd by 2 liters compared to only 13 hours of light per day.”
Interestingly, in the dry period, the situation is the opposite. “At this stage, shorter lighting time is better. It is recommended to have 8 hours of light and 16 hours of darker lighting.”
To achieve this goal, high quality and consistent lighting is required. “For bright light hours, dairy farmers should make the light in the cow shed evenly to a level of 180-200 lux. During periods of darker lighting, the light may be lower to 50 lux or less.”
Source：LEDinside
