An innovative new cow-specific lighting system with automated dimming to mimic sunrise and sunset is set to be launched by DairyLight at next month’s DairyTech event.

Dr Torjus Baalack, director of DairyLight, says the new system has been designed to help stabilise milk yields and counter seasonal drops during the winter months.

“This development builds on the proven benefits of the original system, with the new generation designed to further support cow comfort and performance,” he explains.

“We’re constantly looking to innovate our technology to deliver an even bigger impact for farmers installing our lighting systems.”

Dr Baalack adds: “The next generation of lighting now has automated dimming built in to mimic the sun rising and setting.

“This means the lighting in sheds for dairy cows housed entirely indoors or just for winter, is closer to their natural environment – improving cows’ wellbeing and performance.”

He says the newer LED lighting builds on the benefits of the company’s first-generation lighting.

The lights simulate the cows’ natural circadian rhythm – using blue-enriched white light for 16-18 hours a day to copy the long summer days, followed by red light at night, Dr Baalack explains.

“The vision behind our lighting systems is to carefully influence milk-producing hormones to support higher yields, and with our current system we’ve seen an average milk yield increase of 9% per cow,” he says.

Dr Baalack explains how during sunrise when the natural daylight increases, the new generation dairy lights automatically dim out to maintain a minimum light level exceeding 200 lux – a measure of light intensity – to keep in sync with the cows’ natural body clock.

“Normally in darkness, cows produce melatonin – a hormone that signals rest whilst reducing the stress hormone, cortisol, thus helping regulate the immune and metabolic function of the cow,” he adds.

“Cows can’t see red light when it is on at night, so this means cows remain in night physiological state.

“However, we can – and thanks to this, the staff can work at night while the cows are allowed to rest, which reduces stress for both staff and the herd.”

He says the 24-hour automation of the light system means farmers do not have to worry about forgetting to turn lights on and off which helps reduce electricity costs.

“A further addition is a built-in Bluetooth control panel, so that settings can be changed from the comfort of your phone, as the panels are often in hard-to-reach places,” he adds.

Coupled with these benefits, Dr Baalack says DairyLight’s research has shown that LED lighting of this type can support better fertility, shortened calving intervals, and stronger bulling activity.

“It’s an exciting change for DairyLight and we will be undertaking a phased roll-out over the next two years,” he adds.

“The first-generation lights have achieved excellent results, and we’re looking forward to seeing the next generation rolled out onto more commercial farms.”  

He adds: “Our team will be on hand at DairyTech to discuss the next generation lighting system, the finance packages available to purchase them, and the expected return on investment farmers can anticipate in their own businesses.”

Head along to stand T84 to speak to the DairyLight team.