At the Poultry Feed Additive Summit this week, Dr. Aaron Stephan, Research and Innovation Director at ONCE, explained how ONCE’s lighting systems are designed specifically for animals, and the science behind them. With a Ph.D. in Biology from Johns Hopkins University and over 15 years of experience, Dr. Aaron Stephan leads scientific development for lighting technologies in animal agriculture and aquaculture.
While humans see three primary colors, poultry see a much broader spectrum, including ultraviolet (UV) light. Standard lighting can cause stress, aggression, and poor growth. ONCE solves this with species-specific light recipes that match how birds naturally see, promoting welfare, uniformity, and performance.
Beyond poultry, ONCE’s innovative lighting extends to horticulture and aquaculture. In horticulture, dynamic light recipes help optimize plant growth, boost yields, and conserve energy. In aquaculture, tailored lighting improves fish growth and stress by mimicking natural conditions, supporting healthy and sustainable production systems.
Dr. Stephan also highlighted ONCE’s role in improving barn biosecurity. UV-C lighting technology from ONCE supports disinfection by inactivating pathogens in the air and on surfaces—an added layer of protection in cleaning routines. Controlled lighting environments can also reduce stress during handling, lowering disease spread.
For more information on what ONCE can do for your operation, reach out to our innovation team!