Computerized analysis of pedobarometric forces in cattle at the ground surface/floor interface

Abstract

A computerized measuring device based on capacity sensors was developed to record forces at the ground surface/floor interface of cattle. Image analysis programmes were implemented on a micro-computer to specify characteristic values for pressure distributions underneath claws. The pressure distributions can be averaged, transformed into an uniform coordinate system, and split up into four sectors and four central zones by the programmes developed. For these partial areas of the pressure distribution footprint area, average and maximum pressure with its coordinates can be computed. Seven different claw quality factors allow the detailed characterization of pressure distributions. The newly developed measuring device was applied in five 1st- and five 2nd-lactation cows of the breed German Black and White. The average force per cm 2 was about 19 N, the maximum force recorded was 59 N/cm 2 in 1st-lactating cows and 56 N/cm 2 in 2nd-lactating cows. Out of the factors developed the gradient factor seems to be useful to recognize inhomogeneous pressure distributions.