Rotary milking systems are the fastest and most efficient way of milking large numbers of cows. This system allows cows to enter and leave the rotating milk platform individually so they don't have to wait for the rest of the cows. This process helps to reduce the amount of stress cows suffer and makes milking more personal.

Another system is the Herringbone which is more suited to smaller farms making it cost effective. Different systems will work better for different farms.

Milking Process
Inside the shed, or wherever the milking takes place, the milking process is largely mechanised. Milking machines have a set of metal teat cups with rubber linings, which are held onto the four teats on the cow's udder by suction and are connected to a vacuum pump. The machine creates a rhythmic on-off-pressure just like the calf drinking from its mother's udder - which stimulates the teats to release the milk held in the udder. The milk is drawn out of the teats and travels along a series of pipes running towards a large refrigerated milk vat. Here it awaits collection by a milk tanker from the local dairy factory.