The Carbon8 MOO'd Light

One project, that had germinated in 2019 was Carbon8’s unique ‘Moo’d Light’. Starting as an enquiry from a client for a project to light a cattle shed with red and white lighting, Carbon8 designed a high bay fitting that could operate as a normal white light or red light output fitting. The reason that the client was asking for the two lighting circuits was because of the effect on the mood of the cows if disturbed during rest/sleep time.

The specific wavelength of red light chosen for the fitting has been tested in a number of global experiments and trials and is proven to not disturb the cattle at night when they are resting. Cows are particularly sensitive to disturbances during rest time and can become easily stressed. The increased stress can include reduced milk yields and other health problems. By working under the red lights during the hours of darkness the cattle remain resting.

The combined white/red light Moo’d Light fitting saves money on the cost of light fittings and on the ease and cost of installation. A number of installations took place during 2020 so at least the Carbon8 team could feel good in the knowledge that they had made some happier cows, and farmers!