Technical Specification For Cattle House Lighting
Directory:
1. Cattle-Centric Lighting Design
2. Technical Requirements for Lighting Systems
3. Control & Efficiency
4. Measurement & Compliance
5. Operational Benefits
6. Led Livestock Lighting Fixtures
Introduction
The Technical Specification for Cattle House Lighting (T/SZFAA 06-2021), developed by the Shenzhen Facility Agriculture Industry Association (SZFAA), establishes scientifically grounded requirements for artificial lighting in cattle facilities. This standard prioritizes cattle biology, energy efficiency, and operational practicality to enhance welfare, reproduction, and productivity in dairy, beef, and breeding cattle operations.
1. Cattle-Centric Lighting Design
Traditional human-centric lighting metrics (e.g., lumens, lux) are inadequate for cattle. Key biological insights drive the standard:
Cattle Vision Spectrum: Cattle perceive light between 370–650 nm, with peak sensitivities at 450 nm (blue) and 554 nm (orange-yellow). They exhibit dichromatic vision, poor red-light detection (>650 nm), and a sensitivity dip in the green band (495–525 nm).
Biological Metrics: Lighting performance is evaluated using cattle-specific units:
CaPF (Cattle Photon Flux): Photon output in μmol/s (370–650 nm).
CaPFD (Cattle Photon Flux Density): Photon density on surfaces (μmol/m²·s).
CaQE (Cattle Quantum Efficiency): Energy-to-photon efficacy (≥1.5 μmol/J).
2. Technical Requirements for Lighting Systems
a) Spectral Quality:
Lights must emit continuous spectra within 370–650 nm, avoiding isolated blue/orange peaks.
White LEDs (3500K–5500K) are recommended as base spectra; supplemental colors (e.g., red for human night observation) require research-backed justification.
b) Photoperiod Management:
LDPP (Long-Day Photoperiod): >12 hours (e.g., 16–18h for lactating cows to boost milk yield).
SDPP (Short-Day Photoperiod): <12 hours (e.g., for dry cows).
Transitions must simulate dawn/dusk (30–60 min dimming) to prevent stress. Sudden on/off cycles are prohibited.
c) Light Distribution & Uniformity:
Feeding Troughs: Uniformity ≥0.8 (measured over 1.5m × 2m rectangles).
General Areas: Uniformity ≥0.7.
Beam angle ≥90° with no central "hot spots."
d) Flicker & Performance:
Flicker Index ≤3% (frequencies 125–250 Hz).
Photon Flux Maintenance ≥70% at 50,000 hours.
Lumen Output: Initial light output ≥90% of rated value.
e) Environmental Durability:
IP Rating: ≥IP66 (general); IP69K (washdown areas).
Corrosion resistance to ammonia, nitrates, and salts (validated via 200-hour salt spray tests).
Materials must withstand 3% NH₃ at 35°C for 3 months without degradation.
3. Control & Efficiency
Controllers must enable spectral modulation, light quantity adjustment, and photoperiod programming.
Power Factor: ≥0.9 (>50W), ≥0.7 (10–50W), ≥0.5 (<10W).
Power Supply Efficiency ≥85%.
4. Measurement & Compliance
CaPFD is measured using spectrally calibrated instruments.
Lux-to-CaPFD Conversion: Use XD factors (provided in Appendix B) for rough estimates (e.g., 4000K white light: XD=70 → CaPFD = 1000 × 70 × Lux).
Compliance testing includes spectral analysis, photon flux stability, flicker, IP validation, and corrosion resistance.
5. Operational Benefits
Lactating Cows: 16–18h photoperiods increase milk yield by 5–16% and feed intake by 6%.
Energy Savings: LEDs with high CaQE (≥1.5 μmol/J) reduce operational costs.
Welfare: Uniform lighting reduces stress and improves feeding/resting behaviors.
6. Led Livestock Lighting Fixtures
