Abstract: The position and movement of cows in a herringbone type milking parlors is controlled with a brisket bar apparatus having a barrier which extends along the length of the milking parlor at the height of the brisket of the cows to hold the cows in their proper position within the milking parlor during the milking operation. The brisket bar barrier can be formed of sheet metal having sloped surfaces facing the cows so that no sharp edges or corners are presented to the cows on which the cows could be injured, and to make it difficult for the cows to obtain a foothold to try to climb over the brisket bar barrier. The brisket bar barrier is mounted between vertical support posts on swinging channel members that allow the barrier to be driven a selected distance inwardly toward the cows after they have entered the milking parlor to urge the cows into the proper alignment.