Body Condition Scoring Chris Ellason

Introduction What is Body Condition Scoring (BCS)? Nutritional Priorities of Cattle Body Condition Scoring System BCS in Relationship to Pregnancy Rate Body Condition at Calving How Body Conditioning Can Effect Economics.

What is Body Condition Scoring (BCS)? Management Tool Obtain a simple and reliable measure of the level of body reserves in live animals

Priority of Nutrient Use Cattleman’s Perspective Reproduction Lactation Maintenance Growth

Priority of Nutrient Use Dairyman’s perspective Lactation

Nutritional Priorities of Cattle Body Maintenance Lactation and care of offspring Growth Reproduction Fetal Development Storage

Body Condition Scoring System Scale rages from 1 to = Angular 5 = Average 6-9 = On the Larger Side

BCS 1 Extremely Thin All Skeletal Structures are Visible No Muscle Tissue is Evident No External Fat Present

BCS 2 Very Thin Skeletal Structures are Visible Muscle Tissue is Evident, but Not Abundant No External Fat Present

BCS 3 Thin Upper Skeleton is Prominent Muscle Tissue is More Abundant Body Fat is Not Obvious

BCS 4 Marginal Skeletal Structures Less Obvious Muscle Tissue is Abundant Fat is Beginning to Cover Ribs

BCS 5 Medium Flesh for Calving Idea flesh at Weaning Ribcage is Only Slightly Visible Muscle Tissue is Nearing Maximum Fat Deposits are Noticeable

BCS 6 Idea Flesh at Calving Muscle Tissue Volume is at a Maximum Fat Deposit Behind Shoulder is Obvious Fat Beginning to Cover Rump

BCS 7 Slightly Overconditioned for Efficient Production Fat Deposits Behind Shoulder and at Tailhead are Obvious Fat Appearance Over Topline

BCS 8 Overconditioned Skeletal Structures are Invisible Fat Deposits are Flattening Rump Fat is Filling Brisket and Over Shoulder

BCS 9 Obese Flat Appearance Dominates Brisket is Heavy

BCS in Relationship to Pregnancy Rate 80 Days After Calving to Get Bred 62% of Cows With BCS 4 Were in Heat by 80 Days After Calving 88% of Cows With BCS 5 Were in Heat By 80 Days After Calving 98% of Cows With BCS 6 Were in Heat by 80 Days After Calving

BCS vs Conception rate

Body Condition at Calving Young Cows Require About One BCS Higher to Achieve the Same Reproductive Performance as Mature Cows It is Easier to Increase Condition Before Calving Rather then After they Calve Acceptable BCS Prior to Calving is 6 or Higher

How Body Conditioning Can Effect Economics BCS is related to Pregnancy Rate, Calving Interval, Calf Age at Weaning and Calf Daily Gain, All of this Equal Money Income is Reduced by $107 when BCS is decreased from 5 to 4 Income is Only Reduced by $27 when BCS is Reduced from 6 to 5

Exceptions to the rule 25 year old Longhorn cow that just weaned her 23 calf Adjust the 1-9 BCS system to fit the cattle in your operation South Texas Iowa Arizona

Summary Good Reproductive Performance Requires BCS of 5 or Higher Nutrition is very important in Maintaining BCS Indicator of forage availability/quality The Routine Use of BCS in Each Herd Will Provide Needed Information to Manage the Cow Herd for a High Calf Crop and Profitability