Why Lighting Matters
Light Effects
Built-in Body Clocks
Research over the last decade has identified that specific light can affect and regulate the Circadian Rhythm and Melatonin secretion on mammals.
The Circadian Rhythm(body clock) is the 24-hour cycle that tells bodies when to sleep, rise, and eat - regulating many physiological processes.
Why Night Simulator Fixture
Research has shown that optimum lighting on farms increases milk yield from cows by 6-10% on average, and red light is key to making this practically possible for farmers. It is all about striking the optimal balance between periods of light and dark. A longer day length (as in longer daylight hours) directly affects the concentration of hormones in cows required for increased milk production. The optimum day length is 16 hours (white light) followed by 8 hours of rest (red light).
Night Simulator Fixture delivers an optimized spectrum of light, at the right light intensity to have a maximum effect on the circadian rhythm of a cattle by regulating the circulating levels of Melatonin.
Enriched white light is the most spectrum at reducing the circulating levels of melatonin, as melanopsin production, its precursor is particularly sensitive to short wavelength red light.
Melatonin production is suppressed during this wavelength White light. Time and cow activity and efficiency is optimized. This is followed by a period of darkness (or near darkness) (Red light) for 6 - 8 hours, during which time
"Melatonin is switched on by darkness and switched off by daylight"
Melatonin provides key functions in a cows body activity, alertness and fertility and milk yield. By decreasing circulating levels of melatonin using long day photoperiod (16 hours 18 hours of enriched white light) also increases circulating levels of other hormones affecting milk production. Insulin-like growth factor -1 (IGF-1).Increasing IGF-1 influence the mammary gland to increase milk production.
Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates the udder to produce more milk. Circulating levels of prolactin are increase too from 16-18 hours(long day photo period)of red enriched white light.
Normal white LED or fluorescent lights do not deliver red light at the level of intensity required to have any real effect on Melatonin suppression.
Achieving effect Requires:
- The right spectrum of light
- The right intensity of light
- The right circadian rhythm of light and dark
The system works by exposing the dairy cattle to a specific level and spectrum of light for 16-18 hours.When installed,this specific level and spectrum of light is delivered by our unique Night Simulator Fixture. Melatonin production is suppressed during this time and cow activity and efficiency is optimized. This is allowed by a period of darkness for 6-8 hours,during which time melatonin production is stimulated and the cows rest and recover.
Contact Us
Ready to improve the lighting for your dairy barn? Agricultural Lighting Innovations is here to help with customized, energy efficient lighting solutions that enhance your farm’s productivity and livestock health.
Contact us today to learn more about our night simulator fixtures and how they can benefit your operations.
