Automatic milking refers to the extraction of milk from dairy animals without human labour. In addition to lowering staffing costs and avoiding problems such as availability, AMS gives farmers more time to focus on farm management issues such as feeding, breeding, health and hygiene - as well as spending more time on leisure activities and with their families. For the farmer, this has meant an improvement in quality of life. For the cow, it has also resulted in improved quality of life as well as longevity.