[Computer-assisted analysis of pressure distribution on cattle claws]

A newly developed measuring device was applied to quantify in 5 first and 5 second lactation cows of the breed German Black and White the pressure distribution underneath the claws of one front limb. The pressure distribution of cows was recorded five times in intervals of four weeks. At each measuring date each had to undergo three tests. Procedures for image processing were applied in analysis of pressure distributions. The average pressure per sqcm was about 19 N, the maximum pressure measured was 59 N per sqcm in first lactating cows and 56 N per sqcm in second lactation cows. Factors were developed which characterize the patterns of pressure distributions. Especially the "gradient factor" seems to be well suited to recognize inhomogeneous pressure distributions.