LED technology is increasingly and willingly used in agriculture. After all, LED lamps have many applications. Find out what they are and where they work best
LED comes from the English language (light-emitting diode) and means light-emitting diode. In fact, however, it is electromagnetic radiation in the range of visible light, infrared and ultraviolet. The way they work is similar to incandescent lamps but the difference is that LED technology does not emit heat
Crops and agricultural production cannot do without light, which is essential for the process of photosynthesis. To reduce the impact of weather on the harvest, artificial LED lighting is increasingly used. This avoids the crop problems that occur during changing seasons, overcast skies and precipitation. Increasingly, natural light is being replaced by LED technology. However, ordinary lighting generates high costs – fortunately, LED lamps are energy-efficient, giving as much light as traditional lighting. What’s more, researchers believe that the light emitted by such lamps guarantees results similar to those achieved when plants are naturally illuminated.
Another use for LED lights is to illuminate livestock outbuildings. Cattle and pigs require adequate lighting to function properly, often for most of the day. To avoid high electricity bills, farmers are increasingly opting for a slightly cheaper solution, which is LED technology. The light emitted by the luminaires is similar to sunlight and therefore has a positive effect on milk production. Research has been conducted in a cow farm where milk production increased by more than 6 percent thanks to LED lights. However, these studies should be taken with a pinch of salt
During the season, farmers often spend many hours each day in the fields. By choosing LED lights, they provide themselves with convenient conditions to perform daily tasks. This type of lighting is neutral, so it does not strain the eyes. Late hours spent in the fields, or performing various activities under artificial lighting, will cease to be problematic. A wide range of power and full brilliance immediately after switching on makes work in the fields safe, regardless of the time of day or night.
Where are LED lights used?
The undisputed winner in any ranking regarding bulb life, is LED. Currently, it is the longest-lasting solution on the market, which allows us to choose from various forms and shapes, adjusting them to our requirements, for example when illuminating crops, plants, lighting farm buildings or road and terrain lighting in commercial and agricultural vehicles. Top-class LEDs are even tens of thousands of hours of operation. In agriculture, energy saving is the key. In addition, the long life of energy-saving bulbs significantly affects the improvement of work in every part of the farm
Ordinary incandescent lamps in glass housings have not proven themselves in agriculture. Harsh weather conditions, dust, water, mud or other types of dirt, as well as susceptibility to mechanical damage, significantly affected the operation and destruction of older generation bulbs. In the case of LED lamps more solid and safer fixtures were used, which even when damaged or broken will not pose a threat to humans or animals. In addition, they cope well in difficult conditions on the farm and are characterized by a high level of safety.
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