How RUDAX LED Systems Deliver Measurable Supply Chain Gains

As global demand for dairy continues to rise, milk processors are under pressure to 
ensure consistent, high-volume, and high-quality milk supply. On-farm efficiency is now a direct factor in supply chain performance

Lighting, often overlooked, is proving to be a high-impact lever for production 
stability and yield growth. These three data-backed case studies conducted by the 
HATO research team show how RUDAX LED lighting systems by HATO Agricultural 
Lighting are improving milk output, herd health and farm profitability

Case Study 1: Dutch Farm Boosts Milk Yield by 9% After Upgrading Lighting

Farmer: Herman Kusters
Location: The Netherlands
Result: +1,000 liters of milk per cow per year

Herman Kusters, a high-performing dairy farmer, replaced fluorescent lighting (20–23 Lux) with RUDAX LED lighting (180 Lux) across his barns. Installation was done using 
existing fixture points - keeping infrastructure changes minimal.

Results:

• Milk yield increased from 11,000 to nearly 12,000 liters per cow annually
• Cows showed improved resting behavior, supporting hoof health and further 
  boosting yield
• Farmer reports improved barn visibility and animal well-being
  
  

“When I see how satisfied I am with RUDAX, I hope every farmer can experience this. I 
would definitely recommend it.” — Herman Kusters

Key takeaway: RUDAX lighting improved yield and cow comfort with minimal 
installation effort - offering processors a replicable model for farm partner optimization. 

Case Study 2: Controlled Trial Shows 7% Yield Increase from LED Color and 
Distribution

Farm: Martijn van Raaij
Location: Overloon, Netherlands
Conducted with: Van Grinsven Agritechniek en Advies
Result: +7% milk production under RUDAX blue light

This research-backed trial compared RUDAX LED lighting against legacy fluorescent and LED systems in a split-barn setup. The study evaluated how light color temperature and distribution affect both milk yield and cow behavior.

Trial Setup:

• Phase 1: 4,000K white light, even distribution (RUDAX) vs uneven (standard LED)
• Phase 2: 5,000K with Lactivus light (RUDAX)

Results:

• 7% increase in milk production under RUDAX Lactivus light
• Increased cow resting time, indicating better comfort
• Farm reports improved worker visibility and safet
  
  

Key takeaway: Light color and distribution have direct biological effects on milk 
production. Processors can support supply chain partners in implementing proven 
configurations that maximize output. 

Case Study 3: Polish Dairy Farm Achieves €41,000 Annual Gain from Winter Lighting 
Stabilization 

Farm: Stadnina Koni Nowe Jankowice
Location: Poland
Herd: 150 milking cows
Technology: RUDAX LED + Light Manager
Investment: €25,000
Result: ROI in <200 days

Faced with seasonal production drops and inconsistent reproductive cycles, this farm installed RUDAX lighting and automated controls to simulate consistent daylight year round.

Before RUDAX:

• Milk yield dropped 2 kg per cow/day in winter
• Irregular estrous cycles created herd management inefficiencies

After RUDAX:

• 2 kg drop per cow/day in winter eliminated
• +1.5 kg per cow/day across spring/summer months
• Annual revenue gain: ~€41,000
• ROI achieved in under 200 days
• Farm expanded the system to three more barns 

Key takeaway: Lighting control mitigated seasonal productivity loss, stabilized 
reproductive performance, and delivered a high-margin return on investment. 

Why This Matters to Milk Processors

Lighting systems are not just an on-farm upgrade—they are a strategic asset in the milk supply chain. These case studies show:

• Consistent yield growth of 7–9% is achievable with lighting alone
• Animal health and behaviour improvements translate into long-term production gains
• Seasonal variation in output can be mitigated, reducing volatility in processor intake
• ROI timelines are short, making adoption feasible even for smaller farm partners

Strategic Recommendation for Processors

To secure long-term supply and improve processing efficiency:

• Encourage or co-invest in lighting upgrades at farm level, particularly in high-yield or high-potential suppliers
• Incorporate lighting performance metrics in sustainability and efficiency 
  programs
• Standardise lighting protocols across supply chains where feasible, leveraging 
  partners like HATO Lighting for implementation and support

Want to explore scalable lighting strategies for your dairy farm network?