Pairwise comparison locomotion scoring for dairy cattle

Conventional locomotion scoring is a subjective, absolute, and discrete assessment of locomotion. Here we assess pairwise comparison to improve upon the limited intra- interobserver consistency typical conventional scoring. Five observers performed 4-level using 50 video recordings dairy cattle, also assessed 90 pairs videos (composed from same recordings) relative Intra- scores [intraobserver: percentage agreement (PA) = 82%, ? 0.63; interobserver: PA 79%, 0.57] were greater than absolute (intraobserver: 72%, ?w 0.74; 56%, 0.59). Pairwise scaled with an optimization method obtain position on continuous scale. These (CLS) compared mean visual (VLS). Correlation between CLS VLS was strong (? 0.69), binarized high (PA 84%, 0.66 for threshold ?1). Just noticeable difference (JND) 0.3 scale ranging 0 3. scaling had binary finer granularity The method, associated scaling, offer more consistent informative alternative multilevel