Abstract: A livestock identification apparatus 10 for automatically identifying and sorting livestock as they walk through the apparatus 10 is disclosed. The apparatus 10 includes an alley 12, a gate 14 for controlling passage through the alley 12, and an identification sensor 18 disposed within or adjacent the alley 12 for identifying animals passing through the alley 12. The identification sensor 18 includes a pair of rigid antennas 48,50 positioned on opposite sides of the alley 12 for energizing and reading transponders on animals passing through the alley 12. In another embodiment of the invention, the identification sensor 208 includes a gate 204 controlling entry into a milking parlor or other confined area, a first stationary antenna 210 positioned on one side of the entrance to the milking parlor and a second moveable antenna 212 integrally formed with the gate 204.