Automatic milking systems (AMS) change the welfare profile of dairy cows, with potential benefits around choice and natural behaviour but specific risks around monitoring and treatment.
AMS welfare is nuanced - the voluntary nature of milking timing and the data richness of modern systems offer genuine welfare advantages. However, the reduction in direct human-animal contact reduces opportunities for informal health observation. Farms must compensate through regular systematic health checks and investment in AMS data monitoring. Cows that choose to avoid the robot for extended periods require individual attention.