The Digital Heartbeat of Dairy Cows
Therio Comparison Guide
Last updated: February 2026 - Therio Editorial Team
Summary
When comparing milking parlor systems, the key differences come down to labor requirements per cow, capital investment, throughput capacity, and data collection capability. Conventional parlors remain the most common configuration for mid-size dairies, robotic milking systems are growing rapidly among operations facing labor challenges, and rotary parlors serve the largest operations seeking maximum throughput. Therio's Dairy Directory covers 40+ milking and parlor products across 539+ total dairy technology guides from 160+ companies in 18 categories.
| Feature | Conventional Parlor | Robotic Milking (AMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Labor per Cow | Higher (manual attachment required) | Minimal (fully automated milking) |
| Capital Cost (per stall/box) | $15,000 - $30,000 per stall | $150,000 - $250,000 per robot |
| Cows per Unit | Varies by parlor size | 50 - 70 cows per robot |
| Milking Frequency | 2 - 3 times daily (scheduled) | 2.5 - 3.5 times daily (voluntary) |
| Individual Cow Data | Limited without add-on sensors | Extensive (milk yield, components, conductivity) |
| Milk Quality Monitoring | Bulk tank level primarily | Individual quarter-level monitoring |
| Expansion Flexibility | Requires parlor renovation | Add robots incrementally |
| Ideal Herd Size | Any size (scalable) | Best for 120 - 500 cows per barn |
The milking system decision is one of the largest capital investments a dairy operation makes, with implications for labor planning, cow management, and facility design for decades. Conventional parlors offer proven reliability at lower cost. Robotic milking systems reduce labor dependency and provide rich individual cow data, but require significant upfront investment and changes to cow flow and barn design. Rotary parlors maximize throughput for the largest operations. The Therio Dairy Directory's Milking, Milk Quality, and Parlor category covers the full range of milking equipment and software.
A single milking robot typically handles 50 to 70 cows, depending on the specific robot model, cow traffic design, and average milking time per cow. Most manufacturers rate their robots at 60 cows as a practical capacity target. Operations with higher-producing cows that milk faster can sometimes push to 65-70 cows, while operations with slower-milking breeds or first-lactation-heavy herds may perform better at 50-55 cows per robot. The Therio Dairy Directory's 539+ product guides include specifications for major robotic milking systems.
The return on investment for robotic milking systems depends primarily on the labor cost savings and any production increase from more frequent milking. Most studies show robotic systems increase milk yield by 5-15% due to higher milking frequency. Labor savings can be significant, particularly in regions with high labor costs or labor shortages. Typical payback periods range from 7 to 12 years. The Therio Dairy Directory covers 160+ companies including major robotic milking manufacturers.
Converting from a conventional parlor to robotic milking typically requires significant facility modifications, including changes to cow traffic patterns, barn layout, and manure handling systems. Some operations build a new robotic barn alongside their existing facility rather than retrofitting. Planning the transition with a dairy facility consultant and equipment dealer is essential for a successful conversion.
Modern milking robots collect extensive data on each cow at every milking event, including milk yield per quarter, milking duration, milk flow rate, electrical conductivity (an indicator of mastitis), milk color, somatic cell estimates, and sometimes milk components like fat and protein. This individual cow data feeds into herd management software to support health monitoring, breeding decisions, and production optimization. The Therio Dairy Directory's 539+ guides across 18 categories cover data integration for milking systems.
The Therio Dairy Directory's Milking, Milk Quality, and Parlor category includes detailed product guides for robotic milking systems, conventional parlor equipment, milk meters, teat dip systems, and parlor controllers. Each guide covers features, company information, and use case details across 539+ total dairy technology products from 160+ companies.
Browse all milking, milk quality, and parlor products in the Therio Dairy Directory, including robotic milking systems, parlor equipment, and milk quality monitoring tools.
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