Lighting Can Have Major Impact on Milk Production | Dairy Herd

“The seasonal change in available natural light, from 16 to 18 hours of daylight in spring to 8 to 10 hours/day in winter, can have a 5 to 10% effect on milk production,” says Kevin Harvatine, a dairy nutrition physiologist with Pennsylvania State University. “As a result, milk production is highest in April and lowest in September.”

Along with the timing of feed delivery, did you know that lighting can have a major impact on milk production? Even light pollution from the milking parlor/holding area can disrupt cows internal clocks and decrease yield.

Be sure to check out the recent article by Dairy Herd’s Jim Dickrell!