Home » Automatic Milking Systems Glossary: A Guide to Key AMS Terms and Concepts
Automatic Milking Systems Glossary: A Guide to Key AMS Terms and Concepts
🔍
As more dairy producers explore or transition to Automatic Milking Systems (AMS), understanding the terminology surrounding AMS technology becomes increasingly important.
Browse all Automatic Milking System (AMS) articles from the UW-Madison Extension Dairy Program.
A
Alarm
A warning or notification from the AMS when a problem is detected and needs to be addressed.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Alert
A warning or notification from the AMS when a problem is detected and needs to be addressed.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Automatic Milking System (AMS)
An automated system that uses robotic arms, sensors, and automated controls to milk cows with minimal human intervention.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
AMS Arm
The component of the AMS that handles key milking steps including teat detection, cleaning, preparation, and attachment of the milking unit.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
AMS Stocking Density
The number of cows per AMS unit in an individual pen (cows/unit).
Synonyms & Similar Terms
AMS Stocking Rate
The number of cows per AMS unit in an individual pen (cows/unit).
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Attachment Time
The time from attachment of the first teatcup to the last teatcup.
B
Batch Flow
A type of cow traffic flow design where at set times, cows are moved in groups to a holding area where they can access multiple AMS units.
Created using BioRender.com
Related Terms
Box Time
The total time the cow spends inside the AMS unit from entrance to release, including pre-milking preparation, milking, and post-milking care.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Buffer Tank
An additional milk tank separate from the primary milk bulk tank used to temporarily hold milk. A buffer tank is usually used when the primary tank is being emptied and washed.
C
Collect Cows
Cows that need to be brought by a person to the AMS for milking because they have meet set criteria such as time since last milking or expected yield.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Commitment Pen
A pen that once the cow enters, she must go through the AMS in order to exit. These are utilized in guided flow and modified guided barns.
Concentrate
A general term used to describe the feed delivered to the cow in the AMS, for example pellets or grain.
Connection Attempt
An attempt by the AMS system to attach the teat cup to a teat.
Cows per AMS
The number of cows per AMS unit in an individual pen (cows/unit).
Synonyms & Similar Terms
D
Dispensing Rate
The speed at which the feed is delivered to the cow inside the AMS.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
E
Expected Yield
The predicted amount of milk a cow will produce during a milking based on predicted milk production rate and time since last milking.
F
Failed Milking
A failed milking, also called an incomplete milking, occurs when the milking process is stopped before completion with criteria varying by AMS brand. Reasons may include failure to attach teat cups, unexpectedly low milk yield, or the unit does not reattach after a teatcup fall off.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Failure
A failed milking, also called an incomplete milking, occurs when the milking process is stopped before completion with criteria varying by AMS brand. Reasons may include failure to attach teat cups, unexpectedly low milk yield, or the unit does not reattach after a teatcup fall off.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Feed Bowl
The trough located within the AMS stall where feed is dispensed to the cow to eat during milking.
Feed Speed
The speed at which the feed is delivered to the cow inside the AMS.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Feed Table
The tool within the AMS software that controls how much feed is given to each cow at the AMS. These tables can be customized to adjust feed allocation based on production, lactation stage, or other cow-specific data.
Fetch Cows
Cows that need to be brought by a person to the AMS for milking because they have meet set criteria such as time since last milking or expected yield.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Fetch Pen
An area where cows who have been fetched for milking can be held to ensure they pass through the AMS, commonly used in free flow barns. These pens are generally temporary and created with swinging gates.
Finger Gates
One-way gates with downward hanging “fingers” that are used to guide cow movement in a barn. These are typically located between the feeding and resting areas.
Free Flow
A cow traffic flow design where cows can move freely between the feed bunk, stalls, and AMS. Visits to the AMS are primarily encouraged by feed provided within the AMS, often formulated to provide an energy incentive.
Created using BioRender.com
Related Terms
Free Time
The time when the AMS is available for use but not actively engaged in milking cows, system cleaning, or feed dispensing.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
G
Gate Passages
The number of times a cow is identified at a sort gate, such as when entering or exiting commitment pens. This is a common metric used in guided flow barns.
Guided Flow
A cow traffic flow design where cows can access feed, stalls, and AMS but gates guide the direction of this movement. A selection gate sorts cows before they approach the feed bunk, determining whether they go to the AMS or the feed bunk.
Created using BioRender.com
Related Terms
H
Harvesting Flow
The rate that milk is collected from the cow during milking, typically measured in pounds per minute based on milking time or box time.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
I
Idle Time
The time when the AMS is available for use but not actively engaged in milking cows, system cleaning, or feed dispensing.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Incomplete Milking
An incomplete milking, also called a failed milking, occurs when the milking process is stopped before completion with criteria varying by AMS brand. Reasons may include failure to attach teat cups, unexpectedly low milk yield, or the unit does not reattach after a teatcup fall off.
K
Kickoff
An event in which a teatcup is unintentionally detached from the cow’s teat before milking is complete, often due to cow movement or improper attachment.
M
Manual Attach
The option in some AMS systems to manually attach the milking unit instead of automatically. Examples of when this mode may be used include fresh cows, or when handling treated or special needs cows.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Manual Mode
The option in some AMS systems to manually attach the milking unit instead of automatically. Examples of when this mode may be used include fresh cows, or when handling treated or special needs cows.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milk Access
Settings within the AMS software that defines when and how often a cow can be milked based on multiple factors such as time since last milking, expected yield, and stage of lactation.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milk Conductivity
A measurement of the milk’s electrical conductivity, often used as one indicator of mastitis.
Milk Diversion
The process of redirecting milk away from the main bulk tank to another place. For example, milk from treated cows or intended for calves may be diverted to a bucket to be collected by the farmer at a different time.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milk Flow
The rate that milk is collected from the cow during milking, typically measured in pounds per minute based on milking time or box time.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milk Separation
The process of redirecting milk away from the main bulk tank to another place. For example, milk from treated cows or intended for calves may be diverted to a bucket to be collected by the farmer at a different time.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milking Criteria
Settings within the AMS software that defines when and how often a cow can be milked based on multiple factors such as time since last milking, expected yield, and stage of lactation.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milking Frequency
How often an individual cow visits the AMS and is milked per day.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milking Interval
The amount of time between two consecutive milkings for an individual cow in the AMS.
Milking Permissions
Settings within the AMS software that defines when and how often a cow can be milked based on multiple factors such as time since last milking, expected yield, and stage of lactation.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milking Speed
The rate that milk is collected from the cow during milking, typically measured in pounds per minute based on milking time or box time.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Milking Time
The time a cow is actively milked by the AMS. This usually begins when the first teatcup is attached and ends when the last one is removed, though exact start and end points may vary depending on the AMS brand.
Modified Guided Flow
A cow traffic flow design that combines elements of both guided and free flow systems. Cow movement is still guided using gates but a portion of stalls can still be accessed in the feed area. This design is commonly seen in retrofitted barns, particularly those with a three-row design.
Created using BioRender.com
Related Terms
Multiple Feed
The capability within the AMS to dispense more than one type of feed, often used to target subgroups of cows with specific nutritional needs. Depending on the system, this may include options for both dry and liquid feed types.
O
Overdue Cows
Cows that need to be brought by a person to the AMS for milking because they have meet set criteria such as time since last milking or expected yield.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
P
Partial Mixed Ration (PMR)
A mixed feed ration offered at the bunk. It is considered “partial” because a portion of the cow’s total daily ration is provided through feed in the AMS.
Preparation Time
The duration during which the cow is being prepared for milking including cleaning and stimulating the teats.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Pre-Treatment Time
The duration during which the cow is being prepared for milking including cleaning and stimulating the teats.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
R
Refusal
When a cow enters the AMS but is released unmilked because she does not have milking permission.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Refused Milking
When a cow enters the AMS but is released unmilked because she does not have milking permission.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Rejection
When a cow enters the AMS but is released unmilked because she does not have milking permission.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Retrofit
Upgrading an already existing barn or facility to accommodate new equipment or improve efficiency, such as implementing AMS.
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)
A wireless technology that uses radio waves to identify animals, objects, or people. This technology is commonly used in ear tags, collars, or leg transponders for identifying animals.
Robot Arm
The component of the AMS that handles key milking steps including teat detection, cleaning, preparation, and attachment of the milking unit.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Robotic Milker
An automated system that uses robotic arms, sensors, and automated controls to milk cows with minimal human intervention.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
S
Selection Gate
A gate, often automated, that can sort cows into different pens based on selected criteria.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Separation Pen
A separate pen from the main pen that cows can be sorted to after using the AMS. It can be used to complete herd management tasks or to accommodate cows that require special attention such as fresh cows, treated cows, or lame cows.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Sort Gate
A gate, often automated, that can sort cows into different pens based on selected criteria.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Sort Pen
A separate pen from the main pen that cows can be sorted to after using the AMS. It can be used to complete herd management tasks or to accommodate cows that require special attention such as fresh cows, treated cows, or lame cows.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Special Needs Pen
A separate pen from the main pen that cows can be sorted to after using the AMS. It can be used to complete herd management tasks or to accommodate cows that require special attention such as fresh cows, treated cows, or lame cows.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
Stall Time
The total time the cow spends inside the AMS unit from entrance to release, including pre-milking preparation, milking, and post-milking care.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
T
Traffic Flow
Description of how cows move throughout the barn and AMS. Common traffic flows include free flow, guided flow, modified guided flow, and batch flow.
Related Terms
Training Period
The timeframe where an animal is being trained to use the AMS. This can also refer to the training of heifers prior to joining the lactating herd.
Treatment Time
The duration the cow is in the AMS but not being milked. This includes activities such as teat preparation before milking and post-milking treatments like teat-spraying.
V
Visits per AMS Unit per Day
How many total milkings an AMS unit has in a day. Also referred to as milkings per AMS unit.
Visits per Cow per Day
How often an individual cow visits the AMS and is milked. Also referred to as milkings per cow or milking frequency of a cow.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
About the Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) Glossary
This glossary brings together key terms and concepts commonly used in the implementation and operation of AMS. This tool provides a centralized collection of definitions which simplify technical language into plain, accessible terms.
Informational
Contributions
Thanks to representatives from the following Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) manufacturers for contributing to the process of compiling this glossary:
- Boumatic
- DeLaval
- GEA
- Lely
Please note: This glossary is not intended to cover every possible term or setting used by all AMS brands. It provides general definitions for widely used industry terms, but specific terminology may vary by manufacturer. For brand-specific language or more detailed explanations, we encourage readers to consult directly with representatives from the respective AMS brands.