How better dairy shed lighting supports cow welfare

Correctly planned dairy shed lighting can support cows’ natural rhythms, behaviour and access to essential resources.

Galebreaker’s Will Johnson, UK and Ireland sales manager, and Chloe Rodriguez, animal welfare specialist and CowSignals licensed master, explain how lighting directly affects cow welfare.

Why lighting matters

The building environment has a direct influence on herd health, comfort and productivity, with lighting forming an important part of the overall picture.

Will says farmers should start with the cow and assess how each part of the building, including its lighting, supports her needs.

“Light level, uniformity and the balance between light and darkness can affect how cows use the shed and their natural daily rhythm,” he says.

An AHDB dairy lighting technology review found that a long-day photoperiod of 16 hours of light followed by eight hours of darkness can increase milk yield by up to 2kg a cow a day compared with natural day length.

“Keeping lights on continuously, or using the wrong light intensity, may disrupt cows’ natural daily and hormonal rhythms,” says Will.

While the precise reason remains under debate, evidence suggests long-day photoperiods increase levels of IGF-1 and prolactin – hormones that support nutrient metabolism and help maintain lactation.

Light uniformity is also important for welfare because dark patches, glare and shadows can make cows reluctant to move through a building, potentially affecting access to feed, water, cubicles or milking areas.

Planning lighting around the cow

The RUDAX Dairy LED Light System, developed by Dutch livestock lighting specialist HATO, has joined Galebreaker’s agricultural range as part of its wider approach to livestock housing.

Will says: “Our lighting systems use flicker-free LED units and automated controls, with every installation based on a survey and tailored lighting plan.

“It’s an animal-led approach that considers the whole shed rather than simply installing a row of lights.”

A lighting plan should reflect how different areas of the shed are used. Passageways and the feed fence, for example, may require different conditions from lying areas, while automated controls can maintain consistent light and dark periods.

Automation can also save staff time, improve visibility and help control energy costs.

“Staff don’t need to worry about who turns the lights off and when – the system manages it for them,” Will adds.

“Good lighting also creates a safer working environment.”

What cow behaviour can reveal  

Chloe says cows often show clear signals when their environment is not meeting their needs.

“Assessing cow behaviour and condition alongside the housing can help identify environmental pressures before they develop into wider health problems,” she says.

CowSignals is an independent training organisation that uses cow behaviour to help improve health, welfare, sustainability and longevity.

“CowSignals considers the cow’s six essential needs: feed, water, light, air, rest and space,” Chloe explains.

“Cow behaviour and condition can tell us a lot about how animals are coping in their environment and provide a broader picture beyond the numbers,” she says.

Signs that lighting may need further investigation include:

• Cows avoiding darker sections of the shed
• Uneven use of cubicles or feed areas
• Hesitation around shadows or changes in light level
• Bunching in particular areas
• Reluctance to move through passageways or towards the parlour

However, lighting should not be considered in isolation. A poorly used section of cubicles could be linked to low light levels, excessive heat, cold, limited airflow or several factors combined.

“These observations provide extra information on which to base housing decisions,” says Chloe.

“Whether the issue is lighting, access to feed and water, inadequate ventilation or the roof, cow behaviour can help identify where further investigation is needed.”

The whole picture

With farm margins under pressure and herd health central to performance, Will says assessing the whole environment can help farmers identify where changes could make the greatest difference.

“It can be difficult to know where to start but observing cow behaviour and reviewing the existing lighting may reveal an area that has previously been overlooked,” he says.

Get in touch

Contact Chloe at crodriguez@galebreaker.com for personalised housing advice, or Will Johnson at wjohnson@galebreaker.com to learn more about Galebreaker’s lighting and ventilation solutions.