Volume 8, No. 12
LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON??
By: Russ Schnepper, DVM
I have long questioned the function of light in the veal industry. I believe the majority of veal producers turn the lights out after they have finished feeding. So the veal calf finds himself in the dark for 20 hours out of 24. One line of thought is, you want the calf to eat and then lie down. Assuming that any movement by the calf is going to utilize the calories that would better be used to grow and fatten the calf. But is this assumption correct? It is my opinion the light is very important for the well being of the calf.
My good dairy beef and heifer calf operators that use greenhouse type barns appear to have healthier calves. I think it is a function of light, as the greenhouse barns have several down sides, such as large fluctuations in ambient temperatures. Greenhouses are comfortable to me, so I assume it is comfortable for the calf. Healthy calves that are raised in hutches and have access to the outside, will be out in zero weather basking in the sunshine.
Sunlight has a tremendous effect on the human pituitary gland. Just approach a person in January that has not seen the sun for three weeks and even the mild manner ones will "bite your head off." Why do you think there are many alcoholics in Alaska that do not see sunlight for the entire winter? There is more depression related disorders during long periods of no light.
The poultry farmers learned a long time ago that chickens lay more eggs if exposed to longer periods of light than the normal day. So they use timers on their lights to control the amount of light the chicken receives.
Horse breeders use controlled light to trick the mares into thinking Spring is here so they come into heat and will breed a couple months earlier.
Studies have been conducted on milk cows that demonstrate a higher level of milk production can be achieved if the cows are exposed to longer periods of light.
However, they also demonstrated, the cow does best if she has a period of inactivity in the dark. Cows that received at least four hours of darkness produced more milk than the ones exposed to light 24 hours per day.
Light causes the pituitary gland to promote a state of well being in the animal, so maybe the veal calf would have a better appetite, be happier and grow faster and more efficiently under the influence of more light. I think this is a good subject for research and would not be a costly study. When I ask veal producers why they turn the lights off I usually get the answer "That is how we have always done it."
Contact information for ordering information and questions about our products:
Schnepper International, Inc.
3162 County B, Platteville, WI 53818
608-348-6141, Fax: 608-348-6146
www.calfdoctor.com email: rschnep@mhtc.net