Pros and cons of automatic milking in Europe1

Abstract

During the last several decades, new milking management systems have been introduced, of which development of automatic milking (AM) systems is a significant step forward. In Europe, AM has become an established management system and has shown to be much more than milking management. Factors such as milking, milk quality, feeding, cow traffic, grazing, and animal behavior are essential elements of AM. This system offers possibilities for more frequent milking and can be adapted to lactational stage. Increased milk yield with AM has been observed, but lack of increased production has also been reported from the field, probably due to less attention paid to the total management system. The AM system provides consistent milking routines, with those for teat stimulation and feeding during milking giving an adequate oxytocin release and milk ejection. Initially, reduced milk quality, such as increased FFA, total bacteria count, and somatic cell count (SCC), was observed. Increased FFA could be due to increased milking frequency or handling of the milk, although this has not yet been determined. The elevated total bacteria count was probably due to mismanagement because later studies indicated that teat cleaning in AM is sufficient to reduce spores and dirt on the teats. Significant positive effects on udder health and teat treatment were observed in some studies, possibly as an effect of quarter milking, a procedure whereby an individual teat cup is detached when milk flow is below the preset level for detachment. Well-functioning cow traffic is a prerequisite for successful AM system performance to obtain an optimal number of visits to the feeding area and the milking parlor for all cows. Technical stoppages in the AM system (i.e., the milking unit) increased milk SCC, and the variation and length of the milking interval seem to contribute to elevated SCC. Grazing is a common management routine in many countries. Different ways to motivate the cows to visit the milking parlor, such as shorter distance between barn and pasture, supplement feeding, access to water, and use of acoustic signals, have been tested. It was concluded that use of AM and grazing systems together is possible as long as the distance from the milking parlor to pasture is short. With proper management routines, it is possible to achieve a production level and animal well-being in AM systems that are at least as good as in conventional milking systems.

The comparison of milk production and quality in cows from conventional and automatic milking systems

“…Although not significant, lower SCC were observed in the AMS during our observation and this fact agreed with previous statements. However, increased SCC values were also reported in studies by Kruip et al (2002), Rasmussen et al (2002) and Svennersten-Sjaunja and Pettersson (2008). TGC were, however, markedly higher (P<0.05) in the AMS (51.85 x 1,000*ml), which was in agreement with the findings of Klungel et al (2000).…”

Incidence of subclinical mastitis in Dutch dairy heifers in the first 100 days in lactation and associated risk factors

“…This negative effect of an automatic milking system might be associated with the hierarchy in the herd. Optimal cow traffic is necessary if an automatic milking system is used, to obtain an optimal number of milkings (Svennersten-Sjaunja and Pettersson, 2008). When fresh-milked heifers enter the group of lactating cows, they may experience problems with reaching the automatic milking system and the automatic milking system may experience problems with adjusting to the new cow (Miller et al, 1995).…”

Quality of raw milk from a farm with automatic milking system in the Czech Republic

“…Wade et al (2004) found the milk yield to be 12.4% higher, but others such as Billon and Touraine (2002) have observed, in contrast, milk yield reduction. Klungel et al (2000), Rasmussen et al (2002), de Koning et al (2003, Svennersten-Sjaunja and Pettersson (2008) have reported AMS to have negative effects on milk indicators such as increase in the freezing point, in the total microbial count, in the free fatty acid content or in the somatic cell count. Klei et al (1997) have found more frequent milking in AMS (3 times a day) to result in lower milk fat and protein contents.…”