Article Summary: Choosing the right milking system for your dairy farm is critical and requires careful consideration of available space, set-up costs and labour requirements relative to your herd size and financial capabilities. While manual milking systems are the easiest to set up and cheapest to run, they are labour-intensive. Robotic milking systems offer transparency and efficiency but are costly to set up and maintain. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each system, you can make an informed decision that meets the needs of your farm.


As a dairy farmer, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right milking system for your farm. With so many available options, it's challenging to determine which will work best for your specific needs and have the most impact on your profitability. In this informative blog, we will discuss the various milking systems available and their advantages and disadvantages so that you can make an informed decision.

Manual Milking Systems

The original and traditional method is the easiest and most affordable to set up yet the most onerous on the farmer. Several well-used manual milking systems worldwide are still going strong, but while they may be simpler, there are still costs involved.

Setup Costs

Every manual milking setup requires the following:

  • Milking machine: A good quality milking machine is essential for efficient and hygienic milking. The cost of a milking machine can range from AUD 1,500 to AUD 5,000 (2021 estimate), depending on size and features.

  • Milk storage: A refrigerated bulk milk tank is required to store the milk after milking. A milk storage tank can range from AUD 5,000 to AUD 15,000 (2021 estimate).

  • Milking parlour: A milking parlour is an area where the cows are milked. Building a milking parlour can range from AUD 50,000 to AUD 100,000 (2021 estimate), depending on its size and features.

Labour Requirements

One of the biggest disadvantages of manual milking systems is the labour required. Milking cows by hand can be time-consuming and physically demanding, requiring a skilled and dedicated workforce. Other labour requirements include:

  • Pre-milking preparation: Each cow must be prepared for milking, which includes cleaning the udder and teats.

  • Post-milking cleaning: After milking, the milking equipment must be cleaned and sanitised to prevent the spread of disease.

  • Milking schedule: Cows must be milked at regular intervals, typically two to three times per day, 365 days a year. This means other commitments must wait for milking, which is not ideal for many farmers and their families who are sole operators.

Let’s take a look at some of the different manual milking methods:

Herringbone Milking Systems

The herringbone milking system is one of the most common milking systems used in dairy farms worldwide. In a herringbone system, cows are positioned at an angle to the operator, and their udders are milked from the side. The herringbone system offers several advantages, including

  • The ability to milk multiple cows simultaneously

  • Efficient use of space

  • Easy access to udders

  • One of the most affordable milking methods

  • However, it is important to note that the herringbone system can be challenging for larger cows, as the angle can cause discomfort and potentially lead to injury.

Rotary Milking Systems

The rotary milking system is another popular option for dairy farmers. In this system, cows stand on a rotating platform, and machines milk their udders as they move around the platform. The rotary system is known for its efficiency, which can milk up to 500 cows per hour. Other advantages of the rotary system include

  • Increased milk production

  • Reduced labour costs

  • Improved cow comfort

  • On the other hand, the rotary system can be expensive to install and maintain, and it may not be practical for smaller farms.

Parallel Milking Systems

Parallel milking systems are becoming increasingly popular in the dairy industry. Cows stand parallel to the operator in this system, milking their udders from behind. This system offers several advantages, such as:

  • Good cow comfort

  • High throughput

  • Easy access to udders

  • However, it's important to note that parallel systems can be more expensive than herringbone systems, requiring more space to operate effectively.

Robotic Milking Systems

Robotic milking systems are the latest innovation in milking technology. In this system, cows are free to roam and are milked by robotic machines whenever they choose to enter the milking area, day or night. The advantages of robotic milking systems include

  • Increased flexibility and control over milking times

  • Reduced labour costs

  • Improved cow comfort.

However, the initial cost of installing a robotic system, of which there are various iterations, can be prohibitive, and ongoing maintenance and repair costs can also be high.

Setup Costs

The initial cost of setting up a robotic milking system can be high, with the total cost ranging from AUD $150,000 up to AUD $250,000 (2021 estimate). However, the cost can be offset by reduced labour costs over time. The main components of a robotic milking system include:

  • Robotic milking machine: The robotic milking machine is the system's heart and is responsible for automatically milking the cows.

  • Automated feeders: They are used to distribute feed to the cows, encouraging them to enter the milking system.

  • Refrigerated bulk milk tank is required to store the milk after milking.

Labour Requirements

In conjunction with the milking process being fully automated, meaning cows can be milked anytime, there are some labour requirements for a robotic milking system, including:

  • Maintenance: Robotic milking machines require regular maintenance to ensure they function properly.

  • Training: Farmers must be trained to operate and maintain the system, although the learning curve is generally shorter than manual milking systems.

Choosing a milking system depends on many factors

Choosing the right milking system for your dairy farm is critical and requires careful consideration of available space, set-up costs and labour requirements relative to your herd size and financial capabilities. 

By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each system, you can make an informed decision that meets the needs of your farm. And when combined with an automated farm management system to handle tracking, grazing and weather-based decision-making, a well-matched milking system can reduce your efforts and increase transparency and efficiency exponentially.

Whether you choose a herringbone, rotary, parallel, or robotic system, you can be confident that you are making a decision that will help your farm thrive.

Until we meet again, Happy Milking!

- The Dedicated Team of Pasture.io, 2023-02-09