Illumination levels in milking parlor in dairy cows freestall housing system

Dimo Dimov, Toncho Penev and Ivaylo Marinov

Abstract: The survey was conducted in the milking parlor of dairy cattle farm with a capacity of 500 Holstein-Friesian cows. Milking parlor was a double-8 “herringbone” type. The premises had no windows, and the roof structure was constructed of glass. The milking parlor lighting was of fluorescent luminaires. The illumination level was reported three times during each milking (at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the milking), with the measurements repeated during the morning, midday and evening milking. The illumination level was measured at the level of the milkers' hands during work, using a Lutron EM-9300SD. The highest average value of illumination level was reported during the spring season for midday milking 1030.3 lux. The lowest reported average value of the illumination level was registered during the winter season at evening milking 80 lux. It was found that the reporting season and the sequential milking for the day had a statistically significant effect on the illumination level in the milking parlor.

Keywords: dairy cows; free stall; illumination level; milking parlor

Date published: 2020-12-15