Effect of light intensity, spectrum, and uniformity on the ability of dairy cows to navigate through an obstacle course

Abstract

The most suitable light intensity for cows during nighttime has not been thoroughly investigated. Recommendations on the night-time lighting regimen on dairy farms differ between countries and range from light throughout the night to darkness to allow the animals a rest from artificial light. Commercial actors recommend red light for night-time lighting in cattle barns to facilitate livestock supervision with minimum disturbance for the animals. However, little is known about how light intensity, spectrum, and uniformity affect the ability of cows to navigate their indoor environment. Thus, in a change-over study with 12 pregnant, nonlactating dairy cows, we observed how the cows walked through an obstacle course under different light treatments. Obstacles were positioned differently for every run, to present a novel challenge for each light environment. Fourteen different light treatments were tested, involving intensity ranging from

Keywords

activity; night light; dim light; arena test

Published in

Journal of Dairy Science
2023, volume: 106, number: 11, pages: 7698-7710
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

SLU Authors

• Lindkvist, Sofia

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ståhlberg, Sophie

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ekesten, Björn

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Agenäs, Sigrid

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23469

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/127499