Consider Long-Day Lighting To Help Boost Milk Production
(Farm News - November 2009)
Many dairy farmers notice a drop in milk production at this time of year. That is because cows eat less when it is dark. One solution is to expose your cows to supplemental light during the short days of fall and winter. Long-day lighting can stimulate cows' body clocks and make them think it is summer. This strategy can increase milk production by up to 16%.
Long-day lighting is most effective when farmers consistently keep the barn well-lit with natural or energy-efficient artificial light for 16 to 18 hours per day followed by six to eight hours of darkness. Are you taking advantage of this opportunity to increase heifer growth, milk production and profitability?
Many different types of energy-efficient lighting are available today. Fluorescent lighting is a good option because it provides more light per energy dollar. Your WPS agricultural consultant can help you determine the most appropriate lights, brightness and location to help increase milk production at your barn.
Whether you have a stall or free-stall barn, timers can be helpful to ensure you have consistent light/dark periods.
Keep in mind that long-day lighting means your cows will eat more, so you will have higher feed costs. However, the increased milk production can cover these costs and produce a net profit. According to a study by the University of Wisconsin, long-day lighting results in a daily profit of 34 cents per cow.
Payback on your long-day lighting investment depends on several factors, including your barn style, current lighting system, new fixtures added and mounting height. One-time lighting and installation costs range from $36 to $54 per cow. With a return of 34 cents per cow per day, a $45-per-cow investment in lighting would be recovered in 132 days. If you install a new lighting system with energy-efficient fixtures, the project could break even in one fall/winter season. Long-day lighting can pay for a new barn in 10 years, based on a typical year, according to Great Lakes Technology, a Manitowoc-based manufacturer of high-performance lighting products.
Estimated Profitability After Start-up Costs
| 50 cows in tie-stall barn with fluorescent lamps | 100 cows in tie-stall barn with fluorescent lamps | 150 cows in tie-stall barn with fluorescent lamps | 300 cows in tie-stall barn with fluorescent lamps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual profit per cow | $62 | $62 | $62 | $62 |
| Total annual profit | $3,100 | $6,200 | $10,050 | $20,100 |
Source: University of Wisconsin Biological Systems Engineering Dept.
Focus on Energy offers financial incentives for farmers who tackle energy-efficient lighting projects — from updating bulbs to installing new systems. Visit www.focusonenergy.com to learn about current incentives available for your project. You also can call Focus on Energy for more details at 800-762-7077.
By growing your bottom line, long-day lighting can help small dairy farms stay competitive. It can help medium and large farms grow their herds sooner. Long-day lighting also provides more enjoyable, safer working conditions. It helps workers see obstructions and slippery areas. Better lighting makes it easier to detect cows with health problems or those in heat.
If you would like to join the growing number of dairy operations that use long-day lighting or if you have questions about this technique, contact your WPS agricultural consultant.