Farmers turning to LEDs for more efficient lighting

For farmers — like any other business owner — efficiency is one key to a successful and sustainable operation.

Because of this, many Iowa hog farmers are embracing LED lighting.

The use of LED lights in hog confinement buildings is on the rise throughout Iowa and across the Midwest. Not only does this technology save farmers on their utility bills but it also saves them time and labor because the long life of many LEDs means farmers need to replace fewer lights after they burn out. Jason Prochaska, president of Sitler's Supplies in Washington, Iowa, said this is part of the reason why his company has recently seen an increase in sales of LED fixtures and bulbs.

"The volume (of sales) grows each month, and I think the main reason is that people are becoming aware of — aside from even the energy efficiency — the long-life nature of LEDs."

LED bulbs on average last 50,000 hours, double that of typical incandescent light bulbs. LEDs also are considerably more energy efficient than their incandescent counterparts. Prochaska said a 100- to 150-watt LED that uses 14 watts of energy is 80 percent to 85 percent more efficient than incandescents. He said many farmers upgraded from traditional incandescent bulbs to compact florescent bulbs about eight years ago and are now making the transition to LEDs.

Another advantage of LEDs, Prochaska said, is that they're "instant on, instant off," unlike compact florescent bulbs that take a couple minutes to warm up and reach full brightness. The LEDs also can handle the harsh Midwestern weather conditions as they function in cold temperatures better than standard lighting and also can withstand temperatures of up to 145 degrees.

"The other advantage of the LEDs are they're a caged fixture and it's enclosed, so it's rated for power washing," Prochaska said. He estimated that buildings are power washed twice each year.

Hog confinements generally consist of two main buildings: the farrowing building that houses the sows and piglets and the finishing building, in which hogs are moved when they reach a certain weight. Prochaska estimated that the lights are on in a farrowing building about 16 hours each day and about 12 hours per day in finishing buildings.

Sitler's Supplies has been providing lighting for businesses for more than 30 years and does business across Iowa as well as with most neighboring states.

Sitler's also serves farmers who raise livestock other than hogs. Certain dairy and poultry operations also are switching to LED lighting.

Prochaska said aside from the cost and labor savings to the farmer, LED lighting can have direct benefits on animals, such as providing better lighting for hogs, which are known to have poor eyesight. LED lights emit lower frequency sounds than incandescent bulbs, which is is beneficial for cows, which have hearing similar to dogs and can be discomforted by high-frequency noises. Studies researching how LED lighting affects production from livestock have drawn conflicting results.

Several area utility companies offer rebates for farmers and other business owners who want to upgrade to LED lighting. Don Roth, cooperative member service supervisor for Eastern Iowa Rural Electric Co-op, said his company will cover half the cost for LED upgrades. However, he has not noticed an increase in rebate applications.

"I just don't know if there hasn't been much construction of new hog confinements at this time or people retrofitting at this time, but (a single applicant) is the only one I've personally dealt with in the last few months," he said.

Roth also said that even though the cost of LED lights are decreasing as more people make the upgrade, he expects Eastern Iowa REC to continue offering rebates. ​

Despite the lack of rebate applications, Prochaska said he thinks that many Iowa farmers have been proactive in embracing LED lighting.

"In Iowa we understand it, but outside the state they just think, 'Oh, these farmers, they're not very sophisticated.' But in reality, it's just the opposite," he said. "Farming is a big business and these guys are on top of this efficiency, maybe even more so than other businesses."