Automation in dairy farming: a review of robotic milking systems and their farm-level implications

Abstract

The global dairy sector faces growing pressure from persistent labor scarcity, the need for increased efficiency, and heightened demands for animal welfare. Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) have emerged as a critical innovation confronting these pressures. Based on that, this paper systematically evaluates and critically synthesizes post-2018 academic literature on the farm-level implications of adopting these automated technologies. Naturally, the purpose is to critically synthesize recent research on the economic, production, welfare, and labor impacts resulting from Robotic Milking Systems (RMS) adoption. Review methods included thematic synthesis and critical appraisal of peer-reviewed articles published since 2018, comparing and contrasting findings across varied international settings and herd sizes. RMS consistently delivers significant labor time reallocation and generally increases milk yield due to elevated milking frequency. Crucially, the high initial capital outlay is a decisive economic barrier. Profitability is highly variable, suggesting a non-linear return on investment that hinges on farm-specific scale and management acuity. This synthesis provides an evidence-based framework for strategic decision-making, allowing producers and consultants to better weigh initial costs and required infrastructural adjustments against established benefits in efficiency. This paper offers a crucial, contemporary synthesis, identifying key consensus and conflict points within recent literature. It clearly delineates the specific management and infrastructural acuity necessary for optimizing RMS performance, filling a gap in unified, post-adoption assessment literature.