sampling apparatus is connected to the pump discharge line 43 via a check valve 51 also connected to the pump discharge line 43 is an air pressure supply line 52 with control valve 53 and check valve 54 for supply of purging air at the end of milking during milking of an animal the receiver 40 is subjected to the milking vacuum and receives the milk extracted from the udder of the animal by the teat cups and the vacuum applied thereto a minor sampling portion of the milk can be directed to the milk sampling apparatus 1 but different methods may be followed in this respect in a first method the milk mixing line 45 is not used and the milk is simply pumped from the receiver 40 to the milk tank 42 unless it is to be discharged to drain and a proportional amount of milk is discharged through the second pump outlet 47 and through the flow line 5 into the chamber 2 of the sampling apparatus the sample valve 48 may be opened after a short delay to minimise carry over of milk from the previous milking of another animal alternatively the milk may be collected in the receiver 40 and circulated by the pump 41 and the mixing line 45 by opening valve 46 while valves 58 and 59 remain closed this circulation of milk ensures good mixing of the milk so that the entire volume of milk is of substantially uniform consistency whereas the consistency generally varies in the course of emptying an udder when the mixing is completed the valve 46 is closed and the valve 58 is opened so that the milk will be transported by.