By Distl, O. and Hubert, C., Zuchtungskunde, 1994
Description
The aim of this study was the analysis of pressure distributions underneath claws, hardness and electrical resistance of the claw horn at the ground surface of dairy cattle using a computerized measuring system. The investigation was carried out on each 10 cows of the two breeds German Black and White (DSB) as well as German Simmental (DFV) kept in a loose housing system. The measurements were taken at the right front leg and were first done in claws not trimmed since six months. The second measurements were performed six weeks after trimming of the claws. The pressure distribution recording system consists of a measuring platform equipped with 2048 pressure sensors working independently of each other, a central control unit and additional peripheral devices. The hardness of claw horn was determined by means of a 200 mm x 300 mm platform with 4 x 4 sensors placed every 4 cm like in a matrix. The test procedure is in accordance with Shore D, DIN 53 505. Electrical resistance as parameter for moisture content of claw horn was recorded by 16 spring sensors arranged like the elements of a 4 x 4 matrix in a distance of 3 cm. The dimensions of the platform are 200 mm x 200 mm. The results of the pressure distribution analysis showed that the medial claws of either the DSB and the DFV were overloaded. The central zones, especially the medical claws, were loaded by significantly higher average and maximum pressures in DFV as compared to DSB. In both breeds investigated, trimming of the claws significantly reduced the average and maximum pressure on the medial and lateral claws, and also equalised the varying pressures among the medial and the lateral claws. In untrimmed claws local pressure peaks up to 110 N/cm2 were registered, whereas on recently trimmed claws pressure records did not exceed 98 N/cm2. Claw trimming in DSB cows lowered local pressure peaks and improved pressure distribution more as contrasted to DFV. The moisture content of claw horn of the ground surface was the same in both breeds, but hardness was lower in DFV than in DSB
The aim of this study was the analysis of pressure distributions underneath claws, hardness and electrical resistance of the claw horn at the ground surface of dairy cattle using a computerized measuring system. The investigation was carried out on each 10 cows of the two breeds German Black and White (DSB) as well as German Simmental (DFV) kept in a loose housing system. The measurements were taken at the right front leg and were first done in claws not trimmed since six months. The second measurements were performed six weeks after trimming of the claws. The pressure distribution recording system consists of a measuring platform equipped with 2048 pressure sensors working independently of each other, a central control unit and additional peripheral devices. The hardness of claw horn was determined by means of a 200 mm x 300 mm platform with 4 x 4 sensors placed every 4 cm like in a matrix. The test procedure is in accordance with Shore D, DIN 53 505. Electrical resistance as parameter for moisture content of claw horn was recorded by 16 spring sensors arranged like the elements of a 4 x 4 matrix in a distance of 3 cm. The dimensions of the platform are 200 mm x 200 mm. The results of the pressure distribution analysis showed that the medial claws of either the DSB and the DFV were overloaded. The central zones, especially the medical claws, were loaded by significantly higher average and maximum pressures in DFV as compared to DSB. In both breeds investigated, trimming of the claws significantly reduced the average and maximum pressure on the medial and lateral claws, and also equalised the varying pressures among the medial and the lateral claws. In untrimmed claws local pressure peaks up to 110 N/cm2 were registered, whereas on recently trimmed claws pressure records did not exceed 98 N/cm2. Claw trimming in DSB cows lowered local pressure peaks and improved pressure distribution more as contrasted to DFV. The moisture content of claw horn of the ground surface was the same in both breeds, but hardness was lower in DFV than in DSB
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