A Dairy Long Day Lighting Success Story: MI Dairy Increases Production and Cuts Costs

Abstract. Research studies have consistently supported that long-day lighting (LDL) increases milk production of dairy cows by 5% – 9%. However, dairy farmers in Michigan have been unable to reproduce these results in their attempts to implement an LDL system. Designing and implementing a reliable LDL system increases production in dairy cows, cuts operating costs, decreases energy consumption, and reduces the emissions of harmful greenhouse gases, which incurs economic and environmental benefits for both the farmer and the state of Michigan. In cooperation with the MMPA, a long-day lighting project, funded by a grant from the Michigan Energy Office, was initiated by Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department researchers at Michigan State University to address the technical difficulties Michigan farmers have faced in implementing a successful LDL system. Milk production data was collected in the two years preceding and following the installation of the LED LDL system at Wing Acres Dairy. During the system‘s first year, milk production increased by 6.74%, or by 67,891 kg (149,674 lbs), compared to 2013. During the second year, milk production increased by 7.69%, or 77,465 kg (170,780 lbs). Averaging the data collected from 2014 and 2015 shows a 7.22% increase in milk production compared to 2013. Using LED fixtures in place of traditional metal halide fixtures to implement an LDL system resulted in an energy savings of 29,188 kWh each year, and a reduced cost of over $3,700 each year. Based on observations, the cows also appeared calmer, cleaner, and less aggressive towards each other.