Actual aspects on automatic milking systems.

Automatic milking systems offer not only a marked improvement of the workin g conditions in dairy farms but also they may be able to improve the qualit y of life of the dairy farmer, the health and performance status of the cow and the milk quality. The current stage of development of automatic milkin g systems indicates that there are still some deficiencies in fulfilling th e requirements of the milk hygiene regulations, the early identification of health problems and allowing veterinary measures. This paper details some aspects of cow and udder health and milk quality under the condition of aut omatic milking systems by discussing actual problems and potential future a dvantages.