In an automatic milking installation including a robot arm (2) with a
gripper (3) for attaching teat cups (4) to the teats of an animal, e.g. a
cow, to be milked, for applying a teat dip to the teats after milking
different members, such as spray nozzles (5a, 5b), dipping cups (5c, 5d)
and sponge or cloth rollers (5e), are provided for applying different
teat dip compositions. Under the control of a computer, the robot arm
collects the member (5) appropriate for supplying the selected
composition and takes it to a position appropriate for application of
that composition. The selection can e effected in dependence upon the
teat skin condition, e.g. detected by a camera (15) and/or environmental
conditions.