Lighting is something that is installed in every barn with probably little to no thought.
Many people may even take for granted the impact proper lighting has on the health, safety and well-being of the cows and the humans working within the barn. Having adequate lighting in all areas of the barn – both day and night – makes it easier to see which animals need attention and what potential problems are in the barn while helping farmers and their employees perform their tasks efficiently and safely.
As you evaluate lighting options, there are several important considerations to think about. For example, will these lights be located inside or outside of the barn? Do you plan to have them turn off/on automatically or will they be manually operated? What ceiling height will you mount lights from? Knowing where and how the lights will be placed can help direct you to find the right fit for your facilities.
How much light do you need?
You’ve likely said, “I just don’t have quite enough light in here.” This is a common occurrence in many dairy barns, yet lighting is an important tool for farmers to observe animals' behavior and detect any potential health issues. Depending on the placement of the lights and ceiling height, you may need different amounts of lighting.
Recommended light levels vary from walkways to bedding areas. Walkways should be around 20 to 25 footcandles while stall areas should be lit to around 15 to 18 footcandles. The ceiling heights will determine whether you use a 150-watt round high bay or a 240-watt round high bay – the higher the ceiling, the higher the watts. These recommendations help ensure that each area of the cow barn has high visibility.
The cow areas are not the only place to plan for lighting. Areas of the barn where tasks are conducted, such as milking areas, should provide 50 to 75 footcandles. Installing brighter lighting in work areas can help you or your team see the details of their work. There are also options for under-parlor lighting to illuminate the nooks and crannies during the milking process.
Quality matters
All lighting is not created equal. LED lights should be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and DLC (DesignLights Consortium) listed to make sure you are getting a quality light that meets the highest safety standards. They also are known for their energy efficiency, making them more economical for their high use. Double-check that covers are waterproof or water-resistant so you can wash them and the area around them.
Inside the barn, high bay lights that are IP66-rated and indicate they can be in a wet location are the products of choice. LED lights can range from 125 lumens per watt to as high as 175 lumens per watt. Vapor-tight LED lights are a great option for lower ceiling heights, such as milk processing areas.
Natural light is the best light because it’s exactly how Mother Nature intended. But it’s hard to pull the sun inside the barn, so we must recreate it artificially. LED lighting at 5000K (Kelvin) will provide a nice bright barn. Uniformity of light is important as well because you do not want light and dark spots in your barns. This makes it frustrating to see animals as they move around the barn, and low-ranking or sick cows may gravitate to the darker corners, making it even more difficult to check them. Proper Fresnel lenses on the light fixtures soften the light and spread it out more evenly as compared to clear-lensed light fixtures.
Dimming
There are several studies now available about the benefits of lighting on timers or dimmer controls. You can create a long day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. by automating your lights. This artificial day encourages cows to eat and drink longer, which in turn generates the greatest amount of milk.
After 11 p.m., you can dim the lights down to match full moonlight. This helps the cows relax and fall asleep. Then the lights can be automatically programmed to slowly come up to full brightness. Another option to employ when programming lights is to set up zones. This allows you to turn lights on and off at different times. For instance, leaving a light on over the water troughs or feedbunks overnight lets those night owl cows easily have access to feed and water.
Perhaps you milk around the clock and want lights to come on automatically a few minutes before the cows are brought to the parlor. This can easily be done with some basic programming.
Check your electric
Stray voltage is a common problem on dairy farms, and lighting can be a common source. As you install your lights, be certain to properly ground fixtures. Stray voltage can leak over into the cows' watering areas and give them a shock, and in turn the cows will stop drinking water – and there goes your milk production.
By balancing light levels and light quality, cow barns can create a comfortable environment that supports animal well-being.
Spending just a little time planning your barn lighting can have a huge impact on milk production and your energy bill, plus there are the soft costs associated with improved work conditions and catching illness sooner. There are great resources available to help you make a lighting layout and select the best fixtures for each area of your barn.
