Here's Why It's Important to Use Body Condition Scoring
Body condition scoring (BCS) is an additional monitoring tool to help avoid milk
fever, ketosis and other post-calving problems and can be conducted at key
stages throughout lactation.
While individual scores are necessary for record keeping, it is important to
note that the amount of BCS change may be more important than the actual score.
The two charts shown confirm the direct relationship of BCS to first service and
fertility.
In the data presented by Ferguson on the relationship between changes in BCS
from calving to first service, the relationship is proportional: BCS losses
resulted in lower conception rates, while an increase in BCS also increased
conception rates. Cows with a 1.0 score increase had a conception rate of nearly
62 percent.
Loeffler et al. presented data that indicate cows with a BCS of 3.0 achieved
the highest first service conception rates. Cows above and below 3.0 attained
poorer conception rates.
Some guidelines for managing body condition during the dry period are:
- Cows should not lose body condition during the dry period
- Cows losing condition most likely are carrying twins and should be moved
to the close-up group at least two weeks early
- Cows should not lose more than one unit of body condition post-calving
- The lowest body condition score should not be less than 2.5
- Cows that are thin at dry-off may benefit from gaining condition during the dry period
Body Condition Scoring Actions
Body condition scoring should be conducted during these four phases of lactation:
1) Dry-off; 2) calving; 3) 30 days in milk; and 4) 150 to 200 days in milk.
Listed below are ideal body condition scores at each lactation stage:
- 3.0 to 3.75 at dry-off
- 3.0 to 3.75 at calving
- 2.25 to 2.75 at peak milk
- 3.0 to 3.5 at 150 to 200 days postpartum
For information on how to determine body condition scores, visit the GET STARTED
NOW site to access scoring guidelines and to request a body condition scoring
chart.