Free Cow Traffic vs Batch Milking
Maximize Productivity, Efficiency, and Cow Comfort on your Dairy Farm.
Find out how we can help you find the best milking system for your farm.
Which Dairy Milking System Is Best for Your Herd?
What to Look for in a Milking System
When it comes to dairy farming, not all milking systems are created equal. The way your cows move, whether they’re pushed through a routine or allowed to follow their natural rhythm, has a major impact on herd health, milk yield, and your day-to-day workload.
Traditionally, most farmers relied on batch milking systems, where the herd is gathered and run through the parlour at set times. But since 1995, when Lely introduced the Astronaut robotic milking system, more and more farmers have moved towards Free Cow Traffic, where cows choose when to be milked.
At Lely Center Longtown, we’ve seen first-hand how farm automation and cow-centric design can transform life for both the herd and the farmer.
What Is Free Cow Traffic?
Free Cow Traffic is simple: cows decide when to eat, sleep, and be milked. This system supports the cow’s natural behaviour, reducing stress and improving overall herd performance.
Benefits of Free Cow Traffic include:
- A calmer herd
- Higher milk yields
- Reduced disease risk
- Equal opportunities for timid cows
- More time for farmers
- Data-driven insights for productivity
Transitioning to Free Cow Traffic takes some adjustment. But with support from Lely Center Longtown engineers and the Farm Management Support team, herds quickly adapt and thrive.
What Is Batch Milking?
Batch milking is the traditional method. At set times each day, the whole herd is brought to the parlour. It provides consistency and familiarity, but the system is built around the farmer’s timetable, not the cows.
This can lead to challenges:
- Stress for timid cows who wait their turn behind dominant ones
- Fixed schedules that increase labour demands
- Less flexibility for both cows and farmers
- “One-size-fits-all” feeding and milking, limiting insight per cow
While batch milking is reliable and suits some farms, it can restrict efficiency compared with cow-centric, automated systems.
Comparing the Two Systems
|
Theme |
Free Cow Traffic ✅ |
Batch Milking ✅ |
|
Choice vs Control |
Cows choose when to eat, rest, and be milked — lower stress, more natural behaviour |
Farmer controls timing — structured routine, but can cause stress |
|
Cow Wellbeing |
Calmer, happier herd; timid cows thrive |
Cows have no choice and stand for long periods of time in holding areas |
|
Efficiency & Yield |
Frequent milker visits improve yield and rumen health |
Fixed times limit flexibility, risk uneven yield |
|
Data & Insight |
Individual cow data tracked automatically through robotic milking |
One-size-fits-all, limited insight |
|
Labour & Lifestyle |
No herding required; frees up farmer’s time |
Hands-on effort needed, fixed labour routine |
Farmer Story: Converting to Robots Saved the Dairy
“Converting to robots saved the dairy,” reveals Mac, a fifth-generation farmer near Penrith. “But it was imperative that we could continue to graze the herd. That was non-negotiable.”
With the Lely Astronaut milking robot and the Lely Grazeway grazing gate, Mac has been able to maintain grazing while benefiting from Free Cow Traffic. His story shows how automation and flexibility can keep traditions alive while securing the farm’s future.
What Works Best for Your Farm?
Every dairy farm is unique, but the trend is clear: cow-centric milking systems like Free Cow Traffic improve cow comfort, reduce stress, and increase efficiency. Farmers benefit from more flexibility, less labour, and data-driven insights that support better decisions.
Batch milking remains a familiar choice, but more and more farmers are discovering the lasting benefits of automation and Free Cow Traffic.
At Lely Center Longtown, we’ve seen how this approach can transform daily routines, boost yields, and improve herd welfare. For many farms, it’s not just a new system, it’s a smarter, more sustainable way of farming.
Ready to see Free Cow Traffic in action?
Contact us today to see how Lely Robotics can bring Free Cow Traffic to your farm.
📞 Call us on 01228 792 735
📧 Email: info@lclongtown.co.uk
👉 To arrange a barn walk with our team to explore how the Lely Astronaut milking robot could fit your herd’s needs.