Milking parlour design and management practices significantly affect dairy cow welfare twice or three times daily.
The milking parlour is the daily welfare interface between farmer and dairy cow. Poorly designed or managed systems cause accumulated welfare insults: prolonged standing on hard surfaces, inadequate waiting area conditions, over-milking, and stressful handling. Low-stress milking practices — patient handling, familiar routines, and appropriate timing — reduce cortisol, improve milk let-down, and reduce the frequency of kicks and injuries. Robotic milking systems with cow-controlled access offer welfare advantages by allowing voluntary milking at preferred times.