Automated Milking Systems

Labour shortages are leading to an increase in the number of producers turning to Automated Milking Systems (AMS) to reduce the long and often anti-social hours associated with milking twice or three times a day.  FAS has delivered several meetings and webinars on AMS production throughout 2025 for existing producers and those thinking about converting. This note condenses the key points from those events to help you get the maximum benefit from an AMS system. 

Increase in Yield

If your aim is simply to produce more milk from the same number of cows, then AMS may not be the solution.  The table below shows the increase in yield which can be expected be achieved when moving from a traditional 14/10 hour milking interval.

 

Milking Interval	Potential Yield Increase
AMS	+ 7%
12/12 hour split	+ 9%
3x per day (8hr splits)	+ 15%

 

The increased milk yield on AMS can either allow for increased milk sales or allow production levels to stay static with reduced numbers of cows, which would allow cubicle stocking rates to be reduced (10% understocking is recommended.)  However, while the current milk market (Feb 2026) may not be encouraging milk production, the system you choose must be flexible enough to allow for expansion in the future as milk demand increases again or your farming strategy changes.  

AMS Efficiency 

Maximising AMS efficiency is crucial to ensuring optimum return on investment. Tom Greenham, Advance Milking highlighted the following KPI’s which you should be monitoring to ensure maximum box efficiency. 

 

Milk per Box per Day	>2000kg/day
Target milking time	>20 hours (84%)
Target wash time	<1.5 hours (6%)
Target idle time	<2.5 hours (10%)
Average yield	>36kg
Heifer Yield	85% of cow average
Fresh Cow Visits	>3.5/day
Number of rejected milkings	<2%

Milk Quality 

Keeping Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and Bactoscan (TBC) levels within the ranges set out by your milk buyer are a key way to ensure you achieve maximum milk price.  An AMS system presents some different challenges in managing these, but vet Tom Greenham, Advance Milking, highlighted the following key areas that each farm should focus on to ensure maximum milk quality bonuses are achieved. 

Cow Cleanliness 

All AMS systems, regardless of brand, have limitations in teat cleaning capabilities for the dirtiest cows.  Adjusting settings to allow double brushing is not always enough to be effective on the dirtiest of teats.  It has however been shown to have a positive impact on milk let-down speeds, which in turn reduces overall box time.    
 
As there is no herdsperson to assess the level of cleanliness on every teat, cubicle cleanliness needs to be higher than those for conventional herds to ensure that AMS cleaning is adequate.  Ensuring cows and their housing is kept as clean as possible is the best way to reduce the risk of dirt contamination at milking.   
 
Robot scrapers and hoovers tend to provide the most effective way of keeping passages clean and should even be considered on slatted passages.  Passage cleanliness will keep cows feet and legs clean and reduces the risk of dirt being transferred to the cubicle beds and udder.   

Mastitis 

Sensors within the AMS will alert when a case of mastitis is suspected in a quarter.  Early detection and stringent control protocols are essential to prevent the spread of contagious mastitis such as Streptococcus uberis (Strep uberus) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus) through the herd. 

In Strep uberus cases, the large volume of bacteria which are shed can result in high TBC results.  Staph aureus is extremely difficult to control in AMS herds, monthly SCC monitoring and quarterly bulk milk sampling can be used to monitor infection levels and highlight if further action is required.  Effective application of post milking teat dips and regular changing and cleaning of robot brushes will help to ensure that bacteria have a reduced chance of being passed from cow to cow and causing infection. 

Milk Cooling

Compared with conventional parlour systems, milk quality can be compromised due to small volumes of milk being moved around the system.  Some simple steps can help to improve milk cooling and reduce the risk of high TBC; 

• A lower pipe diameter is better for moving milk to the tank 

• Cooling milk at the box end can take a large amount of heat out of the milk before it reaches the tank 

• Ensure milk is cooled to 4°C within 30 minutes of harvest 

• Insulating pipes and covering outside pipework in reflective foil can help to reduce the effect of warm weather on milk temperature.

Milking Machine Cleaning 

As the AMS equipment is always in use, it can be more difficult to track down areas of the system which aren’t being cleaned properly and are contributing to high TBC.  Some common areas to consider are 

• Milking machine and tank cleaning itself can be a source of high TBC.  Milkstone build up can harbour bacteria, when chunks break off into the milk this can cause spikes in TBC 

• Ensure chemicals are used at the recommended rates and label chemical drums with anticipated run out date to ensure there is always adequate supply 

• Consider bulk milk tanks size.  Larger tanks are harder to wash effectively 

• Wash cycles should not be longer than around 45 minutes. 

Lameness

Reduced ruminations, reduced feeding times and reduced visit rates caused by lameness will have a negative impact on not only cow health but also productivity.  AMS herds should be aiming for a <2% lameness prevalence. 

Vet Colin Mason, CM Vet Consultancy, highlighted the importance of early detection in the battle against herd lameness. Fortnightly mobility scoring to identify the mild cases (AHDB Lameness Score 1) coupled with a follow up trim will catch issues early and prevent them from developing into more advanced lameness (AHDB Scores 2 and 3.)  Such regular mobility scoring can be time consuming, but the use of technology such as cameras and pedometers can assist in the early detection of these mild cases. 

The approach to treatment will have a significant impact on cure rates as highlighted in the table below from a study at Nottingham University.

 

	% sound after 5 weeks (Score 0)	% Non-lame (Score 0-1)
Trim only	24%	69%
Trim & block applied	36%	72%
Trim & NSAID*	29%	76%
Trim, block & NSAID	56%	85%

(*NSAID – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) 

 

Shed design and management can play an important role in lameness prevention.  Colin would advocate stocking cubicle sheds at 5-10% below capacity to allow heifers and shy cows the opportunity to select a cubicle and using rubber matting on areas where cows have to make turns such as entering and existing the AMS box can reduce white line damage. 

Some KPI’s to bear in mind which can indicate if shed and cubicle design are optimal are; 

 

>70% of cows lying in cubicles at any one time
80% of cows ruminating while lying down
<5% rubbed hocks
1 in 10 cubicle beds with dung at the back
Living space of 10m2 per cow (cubicles + passages + walk throughs)