Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is an effective way to tell if your cow's nutritional requirements are being met. There are six key parts of the body to evaluate:
• How many ribs are showing?
• Is the backbone evident?
• How noticeable is the pelvic area?
• Is there fat at the base of the tail?
• How much muscle is evident in the shoulders and hindquarters?
• Is there any fat in the lower part of her chest or brisket?
The standard body score evaluation consists of nine scores. For our purposes we will concentrate on the middle six.
For optimal calf growth and timely rebreeding, the cow must give birth in a body condition of 6 and have a body condition slightly less than 6 at time of breeding.
Body Condition Score 3
Cow is thin, with no fat on ribs or brisket. Some muscle still visible and backbone is easily visible.
Body Condition Score 4: Thin
Very thin with all ribs showing. Backbone is quite evident. Muscle over shoulders and hindquarters is less than a BCS of 5.
Body Condition Score 5: Moderate
Relatively thin. Two or three ribs clearly showing. No evidence of any fat in the brisket, over the ribs, or base of tail. Still shows some muscle in the shoulder and hindquarter area.
Body Condition Score 6: Ideal
Good smooth appearance throughout the body. Some fat in the chest or brisket and base of tail. No visible ribs.
Body Condition Score 7
Exhibits very good flesh with full brisket. Tailhead shows pockets of fat and back appears square due to fat. Rib area very smooth.
Body Condition Score 8
Obese with very square back, heavy fat pockets around tailhead, and has square appearance due to excessive fat. Neck is thick and short. |
