Restlessness behaviour, heart rate and heart-rate variability of dairy cows milked in two types of automatic milking systems and auto-tandem milking parlours

In conclusion, statistically detectable differences in restlessness behaviour, HR and HRV indicated a slightly increased stress level in dairy cows in automatic milking systems as opposed to auto-tandem milking parlours. Viewed in absolute terms, however, all differences between the milking systems were minor. The results thus indicate that being milked in an AMS rather than in an ATM did not seriously impair the welfare of dairy cows.