Abstract: A system for automatically controlling the intermittent pumping of a well minimizes fluid pound occurrence without reducing well production. The pump is operated in a learn mode until pump-off of the well when the pump is deactivated for a preset period. The pump is then operated in a control mode in which the pump is repeatedly cycled on to pump the well for at least one stroke less than the pumping time of the learn mode and then off for a preset period. Control mode operation is continued for a predetermined number of cycles after which the learn mode operation is repeated to reset the pumping time for the control mode operation.