Effect of water availability on milking frequency and yield of dairy cows milked in pastures by an automatic milking system.

Nowadays farmers have to manage larger herds but at the same time, want to benefit from a normal social life. The automatic milking system (AMS) can be a solution. Its use can reduce physical labour and allow flexibility. This technology can result in a reduction in grazing even though grazing is considered as a natural practice of the cows which is appreciated by the consumers. However, the milking frequency is decreased when outdoor grazing rather than an indoor feed systems is combined with automatic milking system (AMS) are combined compared to an indoor system. On pasture, cows tend to visit the AMS by group and enter in close succession. Improved cow traffic would allow increased milking frequency and avoid long waiting before milking. In this aim, effect of water availability in the grazing paddocks on the frequencies of cow visits to was tested.