Efficient use of artificial lighting and intensive use of natural light in milking parlours: preliminary results of the MUNGILUX Project

Milking parlours are often poorly lit compared to the industrial sector and this can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the milking routine, the ability to control udder or milk changes associated with pathologies, and the well-being and health of animals and workers. The aim of the project is to define an objective method, based on the use of a free professional lighting design software (Dialux), to assess and improve milking parlour lighting by implementing alternative, energy-saving and cost-effective solutions to artificial lighting and by promoting the intensive use of natural light to adequately illuminate the milker's visual task area. As a first step towards achieving the project objective, the window-to-floor ratio (WFR), average daylight factor (ADF) and uniformity of daylight factor (UDF) were calculated in the milking parlours of the project partners. Preliminary results show that although the WFR in both parlours exceeds the minimum value of 10% recommended by the Building and Livestock Guidelines of the Lombardy Region (Northern Italy), the ADF calculated under overcast conditions is below the minimum target daylight factor (2%) for building design and the UDF is below the minimum value (0.6) required to ensure uniform visual conditions.