title: Use of impact testing to predict softness, cow preference, and hardening over time of stall bases.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the softness and durability of commercially available free-stall bases, and to determine the relationship of stall base softness to cow preference. Clegg impact values were recorded at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station on June 19, 2002, and again on July 24, 2003. The Clegg Impact Soil Tester (model 95051, Lafayette Instruments, Lafayette, IN) with a 20-kg hammer was used in this study. The impact of the hammer on the free-stall base results in a digital display based on peak deceleration of the hammer's impact with the free-stall base in tens of gravities (CIV/H). The CIV/H value, as measured by the Clegg Impact hammer, is based on peak deceleration of the 20-kg hammer's impact with the surface, from a height of 30 cm. Clegg impact measures were highly correlated with cow preference measurements. This relationship suggests that Clegg impact measures of compressibility were good indicators for predicting stall-base acceptance. A cork mattress, 4 foam mattresses, 4 rubber mattresses, 4 rubber mats, and a waterbed were evaluated in this study. Foam-based mattresses lost cushioning ability faster than rubber mattresses or rubber mats. Clegg impact values increased over the 13-mo time period for most stall base types, which indicated a tendency of stall bases to harden.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Fulwider
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D006244:Hardness; D006245:Hardness Tests; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards*