Overview of welfare implications of automatic milking systems for dairy cows.
Automatic milking systems have welfare implications that are both positive and require active management. The ability to be milked voluntarily reduces stress from forced milking routines. Individual data monitoring enables early welfare intervention for lameness and health problems. Non-visiting cow management requires welfare attention, as failure to visit the robot can indicate welfare problems. AMS farms generally show good welfare outcomes but require active management of individual cow welfare through monitoring data.