Automatic milking systems (AMS) offer potential welfare benefits and challenges compared to conventional milking, with evidence showing mixed welfare outcomes.
Robotic milking welfare outcomes depend heavily on how the system is managed. The freedom for cows to choose when to be milked removes the twice-daily compulsory movement of conventional systems. However, cows that fail to visit voluntarily may experience udder discomfort from engorgement. Management that monitors individual cow visits and intervenes early prevents udder welfare problems. The reduction in stockperson workload during milking may improve animal-human interactions if redirected toward welfare observation. AMS welfare is neither inherently better nor worse than conventional milking but requires system-specific management.