#$%^&*AU2011203483B220160310.pdf#####(57) Abstract An apparatus for determining a current stage of a milking process having a plurality of stages, the apparatus including: a vacuum level sensor configured to output a signal indicating a measured vacuum level； a valve configured to output a signal indicating an operational state of the valve； and a processor configured to receive the signals indicating vacuum level and valve state, characterised in that the processor is configured to determine the current stage by comparison of the vacuum level and operational state of the valve with predetermined criteria associated with the plurality of stages, and issue an indication of the current stage of the milking process.FIGURE 1 6 12 2 -7 11 15 12 1516 18 17 10 9y 1/2
