How significantly can an increase in failed milkings impact overall herd health and productivity on a farm with around 112 cows? For instance, if failed milkings are currently low but begin to rise noticeably, what would be the short- and long-term effects on milk yield, cow welfare, and operational efficiency?

If failed milkings start to increase on a farm with around 112 cows, it can have a real impact quite quickly. In the short term, milk production drops because cows aren’t getting milked when they should. That also raises the risk of udder health problems like mastitis, and cows can become stressed or reluctant to visit the robot.

Over time, this affects overall lactation performance, fertility, and cow welfare. It also means the milking robot becomes less efficient, requiring more manual intervention and increasing labor costs.

It is recommended to keep failed milkings below five percent. If the rate begins to climb, it's usually a sign of issues with cow flow, robot settings, or animal health. Addressing it early through tools like Lely Horizon and adjusting routines or equipment can prevent a bigger problem from developing.

Even a small increase in failed milkings is worth investigating, because it impacts both productivity and the smooth running of the whole system.

Talking about failed milkings, I have noticed our cows tend to notice it, and become a little irritated almost

Talking about failed milkings, I have noticed our cows tend to notice it, and become a little irritated almost