Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring a milking animal during milking of the animal. The apparatus includes a number of productivity sensors, each measuring at least one indicator of productivity of the animal. A number of temperature sensors, including at least two thermographic cameras, measure heat output from different processing areas of the milking animal. A processor receives the heat outputs and productivity indicators, and uses a combination of these to determine a condition of the milking animal. The condition is then indicated in real time at the monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring a milking animal during milking of the animal. The apparatus includes a number of productivity sensors, each measuring at least one indicator of productivity of the animal. A number of temperature sensors, including at least two thermographic cameras, measure heat output from different processing areas of the milking animal. A processor receives the heat outputs and productivity indicators, and uses a combination of these to determine a condition of the milking animal. The condition is then indicated in real time at the monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A skirt part is secured for rotation with the stem of a valve, overlying a part of the valve housing. This part of the valve housing carries a rotatable ring which includes a tab. The tab protrudes through a slot in the side of the skirt part. As the stem is rotated to open or close the valve, the skirt part shifts both longitudinally and rotatively relative to the valve housing part to cause the ring to rotate about its valve part with its tab being positioned at various indicative locations within the skirt part slot. In this manner the location of the tab within the skirt part slot provides a visual indication of the operational status of the valve.