Automatic milking systems as a tool for mastitis control in dairy cow herds – a review

The size of dairy cow herds continues to grow all over the world. At the same time, the amount of available manpower decreases. This results in an increased adoption of robotic milking systems worldwide. The use of milking robots typically increases milk yield, largely due to higher milking frequency, averaging around three milkings per day. Automatic milking systems (AMSs) minimize the need for manual labor by automating udder preparation, milking procedures, and real-time monitoring, whereas conventional milking systems rely entirely on human execution for all milking-related tasks. Regular udder health monitoring is crucial for early mastitis diagnosis, which is challenging in large herds. AMS provides comprehensive data for mastitis detection through sensors measuring milk parameters, such as somatic cell count (SCC), electrical conductivity, color, temperature, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Mastitis – most often caused by microorganisms – is diagnosed mainly through the SCC. Early mastitis detection and treatment improve cow welfare, support faster recovery, and reduce economic losses associated with treatment, discarded milk, decreased yield, culling, and pathogen transmission. This review examines the role of AMS as a tool for rapid mastitis detection and control in dairy herds. Data collected from milking robots provide valuable insights for analysis, supporting both the farmer and the veterinarian in effective herd management and health monitoring.