Oestrus detection system

Disclosed is an apparatus (100) for automatically detecting a status of an oestrus indicator (not shown) associated with an animal (A). The apparatus (100) comprises a structure, such as a cattle race, comprising two substantially parallel barrier means (1) and moveable barrier means (2) for selectively preventing an animal (A) from proceeding between the parallel barrier means (1); a camera (11); processing means (300); and animal position sensing means (6). The camera (11) is provided for capturing an electronic image of an area of interest of the animal (A). The area of interest includes an area of the animal (A) which the oestrus indicator is usually associated with or attached to. The processing means (300) is arranged to determine a status of the oestrus indicator based on the image. The closing of the moveable barrier means (2) is dependent on the animal position sensing means (6) detecting that a required portion of the animal (A) has moved past the moveable barrier means (2). This ensures that the animal (A) does not move back out of the structure and also that other animals don't enter the structure at the same time.